I have an F-150 with an E4OD trans. and the O/D light is flashing, but not all the time. It stops when the truck reaches the normal temp. I took it to a tranmission shop to read the codes and they said it was the "Solenoid Body" causing the O/D light to flash and causing the truck to shift a little hard. It shifts in all the gears ok, but it does shift a little hard.

Should I believe what they're telling me ?

Samuel

 

f150xlt96,
Did you ask them exactly what the error code numbers were?
Not knowing the error codes, the first thing I'd do is make sure the fluid level is correct. I'd then adjust the TPS/FIPL to the proper voltage. If you don't have this procedure, post and I will type it out for you.
R.A.

 

No, I didn't think about getting the error code from him. I freaked out when I heard how much they wanted to change the solenoid body.

The fluid level is where it sould be.

How do you adjust the TPS/FIPL to the proper voltage? I've never done that before.

Samuel

 

f150xlt96,
I'm assuming you do not have a diesel engine in your F150 therefore, you will be adjusting the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). The TPS is located on the throttle body or fuel injection lever. Here is what I have verbatim from a diagnostic sheet:

SYMPTOMS:
Before or after overhaul, harsh engagements and shifts, upshifts late and harsh, no lock up and no 3-4 shift.

CAUSE:
TPS or FIPL sensors bad or out of range.

NOTE:
If the controller sees a problem with TPS or FIPL sensors, or the voltage to the sensor is too low or high, it puts the transmission in FMEM (failure management effects mode). In other words, it sets the transmission to high line pressure (about 150 psi) to protect it from damage. The controller will not take the transmission out of FMEM until the sensor/circuit is repaired.

IMPORTANT:
Early model controllers didn't have FMEM. That meant that if you had a bad TPS or FIPL, it wouldn't send a voltage signal increase back to the controller and you'd have no line rise. No line rise causes the unit to fail real fast.

ALSO:
FIPL adjustment is critical to the life of the E4OD. An incorrectly adjusted TPS/FIPL can alter line pressure as much as 15 psi. To adjust the TPS/FIPL you will need a DVOM and a gauge block which is .515" thick. Gauge block is Ford part# T92T-7B200-AH (you could probably use a couple of spark plug feeler gauges together to get the proper thickness for a homemade block).

TO CHECK TPS/FIPL FOR PROPER VOLTAGE SIGNALS:
1. Hook DVOM black lead to battery negative cable.
2. Turn key to on position, do not start engine.
3. Set meter to DC volts, 0 to 40 volt scale.
NOTE: Leave 3-wire connector hooked up to TPS/FIPL sensor for test.
4. With the red DVOM lead, probe black wire on 3-wire connector. Reading must be less than .1 volt ( that is 1/10th of a volt, not 1 volt). Will probably read in millivolts.This is the ground wire. If more than .1 volts, ground is bad.
5. Now probe the orange wire. Must be close to 5 volts. This is the reference voltage sent from the controller. No voltage means an open between the sensor and the controller. Low voltage means the wire is shorted to ground.
6. Check the green wire. It should be around 1 volt. Leave the DVOM red lead hooked up to the wire and steadily open the throttle until it is wide open. You should see a steady increase in voltage up to 4 to 4.5 volts, with no fluctuation. BE CAREFUL, if you open the throttle too fast, the DVOM will probably show 0 voltage or out of limits. This is normal. If voltage does not increase at all, the TPS/FIPL is bad. If it is below 1 volt and never gets to 4 volts, it might just need to be adjusted.

TO ADJUST TPS/FIPL WITH DVOM:
1. Loosen FIPL adjustment bolts.
2. Hook black DVOM lead to battery negative cable.
NOTE: Leave 3 wire connector hooked up to sensor.
3. Turn key to on position, do not start engine.
4. Set DVOM to DC volts, 0 to 40 volt scale.
5. Probe green wire with red lead of meter.
6. Idle should be 1.1 to 1.4 volts.
Wide open throttle should be 4.1 to 4.5 volts.

As I'm fairly certain you have a gasser, I can't be of much help for you finding the TPS/FIPL. I'm not real clear on whether the TPS is refered to as the FIPL on fuel injected gassers. Hopefully someone else will chime in. If you could give any information as to extreme conditions which precipitated this problem, would be much appreciated. R.A.

 

I found the TPS last night . I'll try the checks on it and see what I come up with .

Thanks alot for all your help !

Sam