Hey guys,I'm normally in the 99 to 03 section but a friend has a 97 4x4 with a 7.3 and hes having transmission issues(E40D) so I figured I would come to you guys for help. OK..it wont go into reverse,it wont go to a neutral,and when in "park" it wont hardly rev up.I tried doing some checking with my AE but didn't get too far as it wouldn't run any of the tests(wasn't sure of the 97 and the AE anyway).There is no check engine light and AE didn't pull any codes,the water in fuel light is dimmly lit.If anyone could give some input I would appreciate it very much..thanks...Phil

EDIT:..Sorry when I say NO reverse,I mean in the "R" position it still goes forward it does not slip..

 

Is the fluid level good?
does the shifter feel ok? Sure sounds like a shifter/mlp issue.

 

Yeah its full of fluid,but we noticed a few empty quart bottles in the bed so he's added some,after we looked a little more,there's no sloppiness in the shifter looking underneath and the selector on the dash moves(PRN and so on) with the movement of the shifter. It engages park enough to crank,but it tries to lunge a little when you try to rev it,and it won't rev freely when its in park(park position anyway).

 

My guess is that the linkage has come apart inside the pan. Take the pan off and see if the internal linkage move the manual valve in the valve body when moving the shift handle.

 

like mark said
it's probably in drive in the valve body.
in neutral will it drive forward?

 

Thanks Mark,I was hoping you would chime in.Yeah if it's in the"N" position it still wants to pull forward.We are just starting the diagnosis process,he actually brought us a used transmission(that we can't move the shifter on the side at all),but we got to looking and it just didn't seem like a trans replacement was in order..just yet.Does this sound like something that could be fixed by a backyard tech(not a trans expert here ya know),but have replaced my own VB in my'99...Thanks..Phil

 

Yes, if it is the linkage it is easy to fix. Take the pan off and see if the internal linkage moves when someone moves the shift handle.

 

Mark - I know this is a bit OT from the OP's post - but since you're subscribed to the thread wanted to get an opinion. Excuse my verbiage here as it's tough to describe whats happening. From a complete stop only - if I give the go pedal anything more than a feather light touch, I felt a quick jerk before the trans engages. Almost like something is spinning for a quick second then catching.

Auto e40D - rebuilt 20K ago, was supposed to have a triple disc TC. u joints and drive shaft are tight. Wasn't sure if this was a sign of the TC going as that would be engaged at a stop, and perhaps is starting to fail? I got on it to merge into traffic from a stop a few weeks ago and it made some un-natural noises, so I have not done it since. however now I feel the above when accelerating and think that has something to do with it. I'm bringing it to the person who re-built my trans today, but would like some knowledge before I go there.

Thanks!

for the original poster, I hope your linkages are an easy fix. sorry to

 

That describes a slip yoke in the driveshaft that is sticking. Ford sells a special lube for that.

 

Thanks mark - I will bring this up and see what they say. Appreciate it.

 

OK we removed the pan and the valve seems to move freely with the shifter,any other thoughts...Mark K?

 

Your forward clutch is stuck on. There are two ways that can happen. Either the linkage was disconnected or the clutch is destroyed and welded together. The trans needs to be replaced or rebuilt.

 

10-4..thanks Mark..