Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

1996, F150 Down Shift Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 8, 2012 | 01:24 PM
  #1  
ssn647's Avatar
ssn647
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
1996, F150 Down Shift Problems

Wondering if someone can shed some light on my issue / issues I'm having with my 1996 F150, 5.8, E4OD, w130,000 Miles, 2" Suspension Lift with 33"

Yesterday when driving home my truck did not want to shift down when I steeped on the accelerator (passing gear) I tried multiple times but it just stayed in the higher gear. The speedometer seems to waiver and does not appear the be accurate. It also seems to shift rough sometimes between gears most noticeably when decelerating. From what I have read the VSS might not be functioning properly. Could this cause the rough shifting as well. I have not taken it to have the codes read yet. It seems to be going thru a lot of fuel as well, but she has never been a gas sipper.

I have also been noticing a lack of power, (this might just be me being over sensitive) but for a 5.8 liter V8 it just doesn't have the kick I would expect.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 04:10 PM
  #2  
Justis01's Avatar
Justis01
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Pull the codes, betcha it's a bad TPS sensor.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 04:29 PM
  #3  
ssn647's Avatar
ssn647
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I checked last night no codes came up. From what I have been reading it could be the VSS or the TPS.
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 05:16 PM
  #4  
White 97 xlt's Avatar
White 97 xlt
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
No codes at all???? You should have gotten a 111, or 11 depending on the year....

If you got no codes at all your reader is NOT communicating with the truck....
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2012 | 05:30 PM
  #5  
ssn647's Avatar
ssn647
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I borrowed a code reader from a friend. I might not have used it correctly. I'll go to a parts store and see if they will read it with their machine for free. I can also see how much a VSS or TPS will cost me. While im at it I think I will try and replace the O2 sensors since I have never done that. Im hoping its an easy fix, trying to get this resolved this weekend.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2012 | 12:39 PM
  #6  
ssn647's Avatar
ssn647
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Update. Took the truck to a shop. They pulled bad tps codes and misfire codes. Replaced the TPS, New Plugs, Cap, Rotor, Wires. The mechanic said it corrected some of the shifing issues but now the MAF sensor is bad. He said the MAF could be part of the problem. I was wondering if this is correct or if I am getting the run around. The TPS and the MAF talk to the PCM which tells the tranny when to shift? Any comments? Advise?

Is there anything that coluld be the problem before the MAF?


This is my first time to this shop, they seem pretty well respected around here.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2012 | 12:50 PM
  #7  
DRRXR's Avatar
DRRXR
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,773
Likes: 1
From: Texas Coast
Any work or checking done on the VSS?
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2012 | 03:06 PM
  #8  
ssn647's Avatar
ssn647
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
No VSS codes. I tried replacing the VSS a few weeks ago. The new one worked worse than the old one. Which would back up the other posts that I have seen saying the aftermarket sensors are crap (aside from Mortorcraft). I did post that the spedo was wavering but after reading other posts and seeing some examples of waivering spedos, mine was not that waivering that bad at all.

Long story short, no VSS codes but it is something I will bring up again with the shop. Thanks.

Any other ideas?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 29, 2012 | 03:11 PM
  #9  
pfogle's Avatar
pfogle
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
The MAF can cause all sorts of issues. It's what tells the computer how much air is coming into the engine. If it's not reading properly then the engine won't get enough fuel or will get too much. The transmission shifting could very well be a pressure problem caused by the bad MAF being a choke point and the engine not responding correctly to throttle input.
 
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2012 | 03:30 PM
  #10  
ssn647's Avatar
ssn647
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks for the reply. Hope this takes care of the problem. I like the truck.

Are there any shift sensors in the tranny that could be doing this?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
shawbran
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Nov 13, 2024 12:53 PM
kameronth
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
23
May 27, 2014 09:51 AM
ssn647
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Nov 8, 2012 09:00 PM
IJRoorda
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
17
May 9, 2012 08:42 AM
Jesse1989
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
4
May 4, 2011 06:13 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:16 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE