Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

tranny problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 05:45 PM
  #1  
7.3bo-ti-etr's Avatar
7.3bo-ti-etr
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: blue springs Missouri
tranny problem

Okay so here is what is going on, on a cold day has to be blow 50deg. So when I go out and start the truck and let it warm up everything is good. I have a very short drive to the hwy once I'm on the hwy the truck will not kick into over drive for a mile or more. Fluid is full I was thinking I may need to change it. Any thoughts.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 06:11 PM
  #2  
diesel-fitter-bum01's Avatar
diesel-fitter-bum01
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, NE
It's a saftey feature. Mine doesn't shift for a couple miles sometimes. It's all good.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 06:33 PM
  #3  
nlemerise's Avatar
nlemerise
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Originally Posted by diesel-fitter-bum01
It's a saftey feature. Mine doesn't shift for a couple miles sometimes. It's all good.
Well then, my tranny doesn't have this "safety feature" . Mine shifts into OD anytime (hot or sub-zero) I am at 38 mph (so long as the truck isn't under a load).
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 06:59 PM
  #4  
diesel-fitter-bum01's Avatar
diesel-fitter-bum01
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, NE
Hmmm... I posted this topic a year or two ago n the verdict was it was like a limp mode until temps came up. Both my trucks do it with lots of miles on them. Colder mornings(close to zero or below) mine won't shift for maybe five miles or more. During the summer it shifts normal. So from what I have learned here in fte its all good.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 07:01 PM
  #5  
7.3bo-ti-etr's Avatar
7.3bo-ti-etr
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: blue springs Missouri
Sweet deal thanks for the help guys.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 07:57 PM
  #6  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
The torque converter doesn't lock until the trans warms up. It does go into overdrive cold. It was done this way because the hydraulic system couldn't control the lockup clutch with cold ATF. It also helps warm the engine so that there is heat in the cab sooner.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 08:02 PM
  #7  
diesel-fitter-bum01's Avatar
diesel-fitter-bum01
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, NE
Well said Mark.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 08:07 PM
  #8  
diesel-fitter-bum01's Avatar
diesel-fitter-bum01
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, NE
Mark,does that mean nlemerise's trans is having issues? He's saying his will go into OD at speeds as low as 38?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Dec 30, 2011 | 08:57 AM
  #9  
nlemerise's Avatar
nlemerise
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Originally Posted by diesel-fitter-bum01
Mark,does that mean nlemerise's trans is having issues? He's saying his will go into OD at speeds as low as 38?
Tyler it means my tranny (a JW unit) is working just fine. The OP stated "I'm on the hwy the truck will not kick into over drive for a mile or more." Mark wrote "It does go into overdrive cold." Mark stated the torque converter does not lockup when cold. My guess is that the OP and yourself may be mistaking the lack of torque converter lockup for a failure to shift into overdrive when it is cold outside. Somewhere I saw an LED install to show when the TC locks/unlocks. I'll see if I can find it.

Here is a page by Guzzle on the concept of an indicator light for the TC (as part of a manual lockup switch).
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2011 | 09:19 AM
  #10  
diesel-fitter-bum01's Avatar
diesel-fitter-bum01
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, NE
Ok,I understand now. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2012 | 11:47 AM
  #11  
JT301's Avatar
JT301
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Easy way to tell the difference. When it won't "shift into overdrive", press the OD off button on the shifter. It the trans downshifts, it's in OD and the TC isn't locked. If nothing happens, it is not in OD. Mine does the same thing on cold mornings.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JCHH
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
16
Jan 8, 2012 12:27 AM
paddler65
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
4
May 26, 2010 11:04 AM
joshkmc
2009 - 2014 F150
6
Aug 29, 2009 10:59 AM
tealboy1
1997 - 2003 F150
9
May 4, 2005 03:34 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:52 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE