Hello,
Well, as it seems is usual, just as things were settling down, one more thing goes wrong. Onto the meat of the question:

1990 F150 4x4/AOD. Driving down the highway, all of the sudden, these symptoms arise. The truck will downshift into lower gears, but it doesn't feel like it's fully engaging. Basically the motor races (as usual), and you move slowly, not like you normally would. Upshifting (starting off from a stop) is not normal either -- it does not seem to be slipping, but it doesn't have all the power that it should. I checked the fluid and it still is pink, it had a coupel bubbles in it (is that normal)? But seemed fine, not burnt.

The one thing that I noticed is that the TV cable is looser than I think ti should be on the engine, it's been that way for quite a while, but it seems too loose.

I am literally BROKE now and I'm looking for some good advice. I'd rather not bring it in somethwere if I can avoid it, but I confess -- I know almost nothing about automagic trannies.

Help me please! Walk me through things, I'll check it out, just give me some ideas of what do look for/check/anything.

Thanks!

 

Is the fluid pink or is it red?Pink would indicate water intrusion or sever foaming.I would try a fluid change to see if it helped.If it is foaming the only other cause I have seen is pump failure.The front pump draws in air and foams the fluid so line pressure is way too low to work correctly.Good luck.

 

I must confess I know very little about automatics but sounds like jayrus might be on the right track with pink foamy fluid.

I was reading the directiions on adjusting the TV cable and it said proper adjustment was critical and if it was not adjusted correctly it would result in transmission FAILURE. It didn't go into the details on what that failure might mean, but that don't sound too good.

I've been having shifting problems as of late, but no slipping. I'm sure Steve83 or someone of his expertise could adjust the cable quicker that you could say, "read the codes", but I don't feel confident that I could do it myself so I have an appointment at the Ford garage for them to adjust mine ($60.00).

Broke truck and no money is always a bad combination. Hopefully some more people with a lot more knowledge than me can help you with this problem. I did want to mention the TV cable adjustment since you said it seemed loose and apparently it is kind of important to have it adjusted correctly.

Best of luck.

 

I really think you need to adjust the TV cable. It really is not difficult....One thing you need to check with that is the torque of the nut on the TV linkage on the transmission side. I had a similar problem and found the prior mechanic over-torques that nut. It is suppose to be 12lbs. Just my 2 cents

 

First of all, thanks for the replies everyone -- I'm hoping this won't be catastrophic.

About the fluid: It's hard to tell between pink and red, but it doesn't look any different than it normally does. Only thing was I can't remember last time if there were normally a couple bubbles or not -- that was only thing I wasn't sure about there. Definitely not burnt or funny smelling/looking.

About the TV cable: is it possible for one to wear out? I look at it and the plastic part on the engine end looks bent and doesn't fit in the groove tight, like I think it should. Also, since I would want to try and adjust it first (aren't they suppoosed to be self-adjusting), what's the easiest way to go about it -- at least I'd know if it's the cause, and if I need a new one.

Other thoughts: Do the symptoms sound like anything else -- I know the front pump was mentioned (have no idea what that is, but it sounds expensive). Looking for anything I can check out and/or replace before handing it over to someone else.

Thanks everyone!

 

Ok, another thought: The tranny seems to shift at all the right times, and it even seems somewhat normal once I get into fourth gear (lockup maybe?), but upshifting and downshifting don't seem to grab in. It's like they've shifted but not fully engaged.

 

heh dont underestimate the tv cable, just like bubba shrimp said about faliure that can happen if not ajusted currectly. well if its out of wack, then your truck will just spinn out its clutch packs and boom you have a dead tranny.
i found out the hard way, i unpluged the tv cable when i was swapping engines and did not think to reajust it when i hooked it back up and within a block of driving i felt it slowly starting to slip more untill it does not even budge the car. i am still upset with myself over it.