Symptom-possible computer issue?
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Symptom-possible computer issue?
I have a 2003 F150 SuperCrew with a 4.6 & Auto trans. It has 220,000 miles on it, 80,000 by me over the last 4-5 years. I'm having an intermittent problem w/ increased frequency recently. Occasionally when slowing down/stopping for a traffic light and/or highway exit the “Off” light on the end of the gear shift will start blinking. When I notice this I immediately shift into neutral and shut the truck off, and restart it. This generally makes the light stop blinking. There have been times when I have not immediately noticed the blinking on the gear shift stalk, and when I start to accelerate away from the stop the truck reacts very differently than normal. It sort of feels like the trans is slipping. When I feel this, I look at the gear shift and sure enough, the “Off” light is blinking.<O
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There is nothing wrong with the trans, and the truck runs great. I’m getting the best fuel mileage ever. I’ve been told by a private shop that specializes in transmissions, that this is most likely a computer issue. I’m embarrassed to admit that this issue first surfaced a couple years ago, but was so infrequent that it did not really present much of an issue. Recently this has been happening much more often, causing me to want to fix it. <O></O>
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Any suggestions concerning how best to proceed will be greatly appreciated. I’m strongly considering buying a used computer with the same numbers as mine and switching it out. I’m curious of any possible downside to this course of action. <O></O>
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<O></O>Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!
Sincerely, Bob
</O<O
> </O>There is nothing wrong with the trans, and the truck runs great. I’m getting the best fuel mileage ever. I’ve been told by a private shop that specializes in transmissions, that this is most likely a computer issue. I’m embarrassed to admit that this issue first surfaced a couple years ago, but was so infrequent that it did not really present much of an issue. Recently this has been happening much more often, causing me to want to fix it. <O
></O><O
> </O>Any suggestions concerning how best to proceed will be greatly appreciated. I’m strongly considering buying a used computer with the same numbers as mine and switching it out. I’m curious of any possible downside to this course of action. <O
></O><O
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></O>Thanks in advance for any information you can provide!Sincerely, Bob
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
Bob, you are being led and allowing it, by the shops.
The OD switch is the way the COMPUTER tells you the transmission has an issue.
Transmission troubles are not 'normally' indicated by the dash CEL lamp.
It is normal for the light to be reset off when you restart the motor.
Only to come on again when the computer detects the problem again.
The transmission is completely controlled by the computer operating solenoids to control fluid pressure , do the gear changes and lock/unlock the converter.
There likely is a code to be detected telling what function is in trouble.
The on/off light flash is of no value if there is no means to tell what is wrong.
That switch is a pair of leads to the computer telling it to either allow overdrive of not.
The light not only tells you the switch is on or off but is the signal the computer has, to indicate a fault by flashing, for a detected fault.
The computer monitors each function electrically for shorts, crosses and opens and slow or stuck operation.
Get to a shop that understands all this if you want to do anything about it.
You came here with the question; you got the answer you need. It's not the computer.
Good luck..
The OD switch is the way the COMPUTER tells you the transmission has an issue.
Transmission troubles are not 'normally' indicated by the dash CEL lamp.
It is normal for the light to be reset off when you restart the motor.
Only to come on again when the computer detects the problem again.
The transmission is completely controlled by the computer operating solenoids to control fluid pressure , do the gear changes and lock/unlock the converter.
There likely is a code to be detected telling what function is in trouble.
The on/off light flash is of no value if there is no means to tell what is wrong.
That switch is a pair of leads to the computer telling it to either allow overdrive of not.
The light not only tells you the switch is on or off but is the signal the computer has, to indicate a fault by flashing, for a detected fault.
The computer monitors each function electrically for shorts, crosses and opens and slow or stuck operation.
Get to a shop that understands all this if you want to do anything about it.
You came here with the question; you got the answer you need. It's not the computer.
Good luck..
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Thank you Bluegrass 7
I appreciate, and respect, your comments. This is exactly the type of information I am looking for. Are you saying this absolutely is not a computer issue, or it most likely is not, and the place to start is the transmission? The only detail that makes me question the transmission is at the root of this problem is the randomness of the symptom. I use this truck a lot, resulting in a lot of miles, and the transmission performs very well. I can tell when the torque converter locks up from the tach, and there are no issues with shifting, or slippage. Is there a possible explanation for why this symptom would present so randomly? Over the last couple years I’ve had periods of 6 to 8 months without ever experiencing this symptom, then sometimes it may do it once, and then go another several months without; until just recently when it started doing it more often, and also shutting it off once does not always make it go away.
You bring up a good point about the functionality of the light on the gear shift. The large majority of the instances this has happened, the CEL on the dash is not, and does not come on. I understand the light in the gear shift acts as a CEL for the transmission, but if there was a code wouldn’t it light the CEL on the dash? Either way, there have not been any codes detected concerning the transmission, and I have only been shutting the ignition switch off and on, not disconnecting the battery which would clear the code history. Will normal use over time (starting the vehicle) without the symptom showing up clear codes? If so, this could be why I’m not getting any transmission codes!
For the sake of full disclosure, the shop I have referred to did rebuild the transmission several years ago. I have a lot of experience with this shop and have always found them to be very knowledgeable, and when they are unsure of something, they have done a really good job getting good information. However, anyone can be wrong once in a while! With this additional information, you still believe the problem is with the transmission itself, can certainly find another qualified shop to look it over.
Thank you for your post, and I am looking forward to your thoughts on this post.
You bring up a good point about the functionality of the light on the gear shift. The large majority of the instances this has happened, the CEL on the dash is not, and does not come on. I understand the light in the gear shift acts as a CEL for the transmission, but if there was a code wouldn’t it light the CEL on the dash? Either way, there have not been any codes detected concerning the transmission, and I have only been shutting the ignition switch off and on, not disconnecting the battery which would clear the code history. Will normal use over time (starting the vehicle) without the symptom showing up clear codes? If so, this could be why I’m not getting any transmission codes!
For the sake of full disclosure, the shop I have referred to did rebuild the transmission several years ago. I have a lot of experience with this shop and have always found them to be very knowledgeable, and when they are unsure of something, they have done a really good job getting good information. However, anyone can be wrong once in a while! With this additional information, you still believe the problem is with the transmission itself, can certainly find another qualified shop to look it over.
Thank you for your post, and I am looking forward to your thoughts on this post.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
but if there was a code wouldn’t it light the CEL on the dash?
If you can get the truck to the next time the TCIL flashes without turning the ignition off, it may help them pull the fault codes that pertain to the transmission. The PCM is supposed to store those codes in the KAM, but you might have a problem in that particular circuit.
I was afraid of something like this, would this be due to the programmed key?
Please note that inexpensive code readers usually won't read the "manufacturer-specific" DTCs above P1000. The most useful codes for the transmission, especially those that would indicate slippage, for example, are above P1000.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
From your long term discription, the code needs to be caught when it's set in KAM otherwise the PCM can cancel it if the issue goes away until the next time.
No, the trans fault codes do not light the dash CEL. I's not an engine fault.
My guess is it's a faulty ribbon circuit cable on the valve body or even a temperature sensor issue or even a cable plugup on the outside.
Some one has to be intersted enough to catch it or you live with it until something happens that becomes a hard fault.
Good luck..
No, the trans fault codes do not light the dash CEL. I's not an engine fault.
My guess is it's a faulty ribbon circuit cable on the valve body or even a temperature sensor issue or even a cable plugup on the outside.
Some one has to be intersted enough to catch it or you live with it until something happens that becomes a hard fault.
Good luck..
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Thank you both!
I greatly appreciate your input on this issue. Your comments have helped me approach the issue I have been experiencing with my truck in a much more informed manner. I believe your comments have prevented me from going down the wrong path, and to me, this is a huge deal. Again, Thank You! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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I was able to have my system scanned shortly after this symptom had showed itself and did find two codes that had not shown up before. There are shift solenoid, and speedometer sensor codes. My belief is that I have a wiring issue, and/or one or both of these components needing replacement. With this information, I’m quite confident that the computer is not my issue. <o></o>
<o> </o>
This is exactly what I was hoping for when I joined this group to ask these questions. This group has performed flawlessly, and made a friend for life! Thank you so much! <o></o>
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o>I was able to have my system scanned shortly after this symptom had showed itself and did find two codes that had not shown up before. There are shift solenoid, and speedometer sensor codes. My belief is that I have a wiring issue, and/or one or both of these components needing replacement. With this information, I’m quite confident that the computer is not my issue. <o
></o><o
> </o>This is exactly what I was hoping for when I joined this group to ask these questions. This group has performed flawlessly, and made a friend for life! Thank you so much! <o
></o>
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