Hey guys, I am in need of some advice here. I have a 1988 F-150 4X4 with the 5.0 V8. It has an automatic transmission with overdrive. The problem I have been encountering happens pretty frequently when the truck is cold. When I start the truck up and put it in gear everything works fine, but after I driver it about 100 ft or so it acts like it slips out of gear. I can shift it from OD to D to 1 and to Reverse and it won't move. It will start moving again after about 10 seconds if I rev the motor slightly. It usually only does this once in the morning when it's cold and then it's fine the rest of the day. It doesn't make any funny noises when it stops, it just acts like it's in neutral but it doesn't matter what gear I select, it won't move until it's been about 10 seconds.

I've checked the tranny fluid and it seems fine; filled properly, right color, and no weird/burnt smell to it. The tranny fluid and filter were replaced no more than 10,000 miles ago and the truck only has 73,000 miles on it. I'm thinking it might be the torque converter going bad but I'm not sure because it doesn't shudder at all when I drive it. Like I said, after it acts up (usually in the morning) it runs perfect the rest of the day. What do you all think? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Does anyone have any ideas what's going on here? I'm getting a little desperate. I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before the ole girl leaves me stranded somewhere. I don't really want to take it to a tranny shop to have them tell me what's going on, but I guess that may be my only option. I'm hoping someone on here has some advice. Thanks again everyone.

 

There are two different 4-speed automatic transmissions available in that engine/model combination. One is the mechanical AOD, the other is an electronic controlled E4OD. Troubleshooting is vastly different between the two.

Please confirm which one you have by checking the door jamb sticker and/or the number of transmission pan bolts.



Door Jamb sticker Transmission Code "E" denotes an E4OD. I think Transmission Code "U" is an AOD.

 

Sorry, it's an AOD. I don't think the E40d was available until 1989.

 

I may have been off a year, but now we know for sure you have an AOD.

 

No worries. I wasn't trying to come off as a know it all. That just helps confirm what I thought. Thanks for the response, now if you could just fix my truck for me all would be right in the universe! LOL

 

I am not well versed in AODs but it sounds like a pressure problem to me. It's always worth a shot to check the TV cable/linkage adjustment.

 

There is something I forgot to mention in my previous post. When I am decelerating the truck surges or pulses. I'm not sure how to best describe it. It kind of feels like you're tapping on the brakes. I don't know if this helps narrow down my problem or not.

Thanks again for the reply rla2005. How would I go about checking the TV cable/linkage adjustment?

 

Ask and ye shall receive:

 

Thanks again, I'll check that out tomorrow. That video really makes it simple. I tried to google it and got all sorts of crazy and complex responses. I hope this does the trick.