Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Suddenly hard shifting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2015 | 05:20 PM
  #1  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Suddenly hard shifting

Hey y'all here's my first post. I have a box stock 2000 F250 with a 7.3l 255k miles. Last weekend I changed the oil and filter. The air filter, fuel filter, and changed out the serpentine belt since it was looking a bit raggedy.
For some unknown reason the trans now shifts quite hard from first to second but only if I drive easy. If I get on it it shifts just like it should.
I can't imagine anything I did to the truck could cause this. I have not yet looked to see if perhaps I knocked off a vacuum line but don't know if even that would cause the trans to shift hard.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2015 | 06:23 PM
  #2  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,714
Likes: 2,640
From: SE Florida
A vacuum line? On a diesel? What would it do? There is no vacuum in a diesel engine.

The first thing to do is get the codes read. The places that read codes free cannot read transmission codes.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 08:42 AM
  #3  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thank you Mark for pointing that out. I guess my point was I will have to look to see if I managed to knock "something" off while changing belts, filters and oil. What does signal the trans to shift that I might have accidentally knocked out of position while doing my maintenance? I am 99% sure the two connected since it wasn't days or hours but immediately after when the hard shifting started. Once again, anything constructive will be greatly appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 08:50 AM
  #4  
carltonwebb's Avatar
carltonwebb
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 16
U may check connection on ebp sensor directly above water pump. Connects to steel tube.

It has nothing to do with the transmission whatsoever. However, when i bought my truck, it would always shift hard when driving easy. Folks here kept talking about cleaning that sensor and tube so I checked it and it was stopped up. Cleaned tube and to replace sensor.

The hard shifting went away after that. I do not know why and would not think it would matter but it did.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 08:51 AM
  #5  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,714
Likes: 2,640
From: SE Florida
I did write something constructive. Get the codes read.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2015 | 08:49 PM
  #6  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Bad choice of words on my part. I will get the codes checked as soon as I can. I was looking for something I might have accidentally knocked off while doing the maintenance. I had a look but unfortunately I'm afraid it's not going to be something that simple. So far it's not real bad but I know it's not right so it needs to be fixed. M
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2015 | 12:21 PM
  #7  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
No power train codes stored in memory. I rechecked the fluid level and it is up to the "H" but not higher. Doesn't smell burnt or show any discoloration. I've put 46000 on it since buying and have not done a filter or fluid change so I guess that is my next purchase. We will see what changes if anything.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 12:45 PM
  #8  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0



This was sitting in the bottom of the trans pan when they removed it for fluid and filter. There was about half a teaspoon of grey material like a fine paste in the bottom of the pan. With 46000 since last service that's about what I would expect. No shavings or lumps so that's good.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Brett Foote
story-4

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

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

 Brett Foote
story-8

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 02:39 PM
  #9  
OldBlackCat's Avatar
OldBlackCat
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 50
From: Severance, CO
wowwy! thats a find for sure! hahaha
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 02:57 PM
  #10  
clem1226's Avatar
clem1226
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
Club FTE Silver Member

That is funny.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 05:07 PM
  #11  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Ok Mark. I had the fluid and filter changed. There are no codes being shown. Other than the tube of weather seal laying in the bottom of the pan there wasn't much else to see. There was a small amount of oily feeling grey paste in the bottom of the pan. Maybe about a half teaspoon or slightly more. There wasn't anything I could feel so it would be like a super fine (2500) lapping compound or maybe an anti seize compound. So far the trans seems to shift smoothly if I accelerate moderately away from a stop. If I ease up on 2000rpm the trans seem to shift harder. If you have any input I would greatly appreciate it. M.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 05:46 PM
  #12  
thegreatgate's Avatar
thegreatgate
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 307
Likes: 2
Just throwing out an idea but the OSS sits on the top rear of the trans. It is $40 and you could just be wasting money, but it is very easy to change out, takes 5 minutes. Maybe you can return it if it doesnt do anything...
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 08:05 PM
  #13  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,714
Likes: 2,640
From: SE Florida
I've never seen an OSS fail and not set a code.

Does the OD OFF light work when you press the button on the end of the shift handle? If so, have you seen it blinking?
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 09:25 PM
  #14  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Hey Mark, thanks for the reply. The OD button lights and the trans shifts out of OD when switched off but I have not seen (or perhaps noticed) it flashing. M.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2015 | 05:35 PM
  #15  
Cantxsailor's Avatar
Cantxsailor
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I paid extra attention to the OD light both in the on and off position and saw no flashing at all.
Of course I spent ten minutes looking for a clunk in my dash today before spotting the two frozen bottles of water I had put in the dash tray. Sometimes I wonder where my brain goes. M.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:02 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE