I have a 2001 F350 7.3 4WD that does not want to shift into drive. When you shift to drive you can feel a slight difference in the trans but it will not move, it will rev freely but not move. If I shift it up and down it will engage after a lag period ranging from 10-15 seconds up to several minutes. Reverse is ok and after forward engages it appears to work as it should, shifts ok through the gears. I don't have much experience working on automatics, any help is greatly appreciated.

 

There are two possibilities. The most likely is that the forward clutch is destroyed. If you keep driving it like this I guarantee it WILL be destroyed. The second possibility is that the feed bolts under the valve body have loosened and need to be tightened.

 

Thanks Mark, I appreciate your reply, have read a lot of your posts and respect your opinion. With 315,000 miles on this trans I guess that I got my money's worth out of it. With the exception of the auto trans and transfer case I do all my own work on the truck. Any advice on what to look for or stay away from with a trans repair shop. I don't think the forward clutch job is a good way for me to jump into auto trans work with only a few days to have this back on the road.

 

Find one with a good reputation. I usually prefer the independents.

 

I'm having my transmission rebuilt by AAMCO heard nothing but good things. Offer a complementary three year 30k mile warranty. Mines being rebuilt because it won't stop going into safe mode building pressure in the tranny. It shifts incredibly hard so I'm biting the bullet before it turns into more trouble.