Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Intermittent weird shifting issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 11, 2014 | 06:51 AM
  #1  
96_Powerstroke's Avatar
96_Powerstroke
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Conroe, Tx
Intermittent weird shifting issue

Hello all!! I've been having this weird intermittent shifting issue. The truck is shifting early all the way up to overdrive, shifts through all of the gears but will go all the way to over drive at roughly 1100-1300 rpms. Once the rpms get caught up the truck runs just fine. Sometimes the truck will also act like its in neutral and then shift out of it really hard. Like I mentioned before, this problem is very intermittent. The majority of the time the truck shifts just fine and it is as strong as can be. The first time I ever had any issues was when I was going down a very wash boarded road. I'm thinking and hoping it's an electrical issue, some sort of loose connection or failed sensor. Thanks for any advice given!!!
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2014 | 10:04 PM
  #2  
fordman67's Avatar
fordman67
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 605
From: evansville in
You need to get the trans codes pulled to know what needs repaired for sure.auto zone will NOT be able to help!
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2014 | 12:11 PM
  #3  
madMatador78's Avatar
madMatador78
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,750
Likes: 4
From: Pecatonica, IL
^^ X2. Also make double sure the fluid level is correct.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2014 | 11:31 PM
  #4  
Zoltan 97 7.3's Avatar
Zoltan 97 7.3
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
I had a similar problem on my '97. I replaced the VSS and fixed my speedometer. It's an "electronic" transmission and the speedometer controls when it shifts. My transmission shifts fine and consistently now but the O/D light is still flashing. Hope it helps. Zoltan
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2014 | 05:24 PM
  #5  
trevorrules's Avatar
trevorrules
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Appling,GA
yeah that's what mine does exactly all your symptoms and the tranny shop said that the scanner was flashing a speed sensor , so I changed it out but nothing changed it still acts like yours
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2014 | 09:27 AM
  #6  
96_Powerstroke's Avatar
96_Powerstroke
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Conroe, Tx
Zoltan,
Please expand on what you had to do to fix your speedometer. Also, what is the VSS? Thanks for the info.
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2014 | 01:23 PM
  #7  
Zoltan 97 7.3's Avatar
Zoltan 97 7.3
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Central Ohio
VSS is Vehicle Speed Sensor. As for my speedometer I think it was a broken wire but I'll get in touch with my buddy who helped me work on it see if he remembers what it was. Once that was done the truck stopped shifting at high RPMs and didn't downshift on its own without the need for it either. I'll get back to you on the speedometer. Zoltan
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2014 | 07:00 AM
  #8  
96_Powerstroke's Avatar
96_Powerstroke
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Conroe, Tx
Ok, spoke with my buddy back home, he is a senior master ford mechanic. He had me pull the VSS and test it. The ohm range on this sensor is 900-2500, at the sensor I was reading 1860+/-, the wires go from the sensor to the abs module, pulled that plug and tested it there, read 1867 ohms. One thing I have not done yet is to have someone move/wiggle the wires around to see if they're going to ground somewhere. Will be doing that tonight. From what my buddy says, there is no reason to troubleshoot the abs module due to the fact that VSS goes right in and back out and to the instrument cluster. Will start the troubleshooting of that is weekend and report back. Just wanted to let you guys know what I've found at this point. Thanks for the input so far, really enjoying being a part of this forum.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 08:20 AM
  #9  
96_Powerstroke's Avatar
96_Powerstroke
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Conroe, Tx
I've noticed this problem is at its worst in wet weather. Any ideas?
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 09:03 AM
  #10  
DIYMechanic's Avatar
DIYMechanic
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
Likes: 3
From: Orrville, Ohio
Check the wiring between the VSS and the frame rail. It has a tendency to rub on the suspension and chafe the wires.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Richard.Parker
1997 - 2003 F150
10
Dec 19, 2014 07:50 PM
tony. b
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
May 8, 2011 06:39 PM
menze46
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Jun 14, 2010 04:10 PM
thomasevance
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
19
Jan 20, 2009 06:32 PM
liftedgrocerygetter
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
19
Apr 17, 2008 12:50 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:12 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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 | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE