Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Default Trans/electrical problem HELP!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 07:25 AM
  #1  
Fazter's Avatar
Fazter
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Default Trans/electrical problem HELP!!

I just purchased a 2000 f150 4x4 with a 5.4 automatic... it ran great for a few days and even ran fine on the 100+mile trip home from the previous owners house. All the sudden it shut down on the highway today. I could barely get it started again and when it did start, it ran like hell, bucking and jolting, almost like a really bad misfire. I could also smell trans fluid being heated up, so I let it sit awhile and then it fired right up. It drove for about a half mile and began to act up again. I threw it in second gear to limp it home which it died several times on. Each time I'd let it sit for like 15 minutes with the negative battery cable off. It fires right up after that but the problem quickly returns. Also the overdrive button doesn't work, and the trans control switch fuse (spot 29) blows repeatedly. Id love some help here, as I just put all of my savings into buying the truck. Also the power door locks do not work. Thanks so much for any insight you may have for me. I'm pulling my hair out lol.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 07:43 AM
  #2  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,763
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
Seaach keyword F29. Pretty common.

Start with fixing that. You might have more to do, but that needs addressed first.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 03:01 PM
  #3  
Fazter's Avatar
Fazter
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I will do that tomorrow, but I also forgot to say that the trans fluid seems to be over full. It was significantly higher than the "do not add" mark yesterday when the problem was occurring, and it is still even above that now that the engine is obviously cold.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 03:27 PM
  #4  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,731
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
The cold level is meaningless. Always check the fluid with the trans warmed up, in park, with the engine idling.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 03:28 PM
  #5  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,763
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
Was the engine running when you checked it? If not, the level will be up to several inches too high on the dip stick. See owner's manual.
 
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2015 | 04:23 PM
  #6  
Fazter's Avatar
Fazter
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Ok, sorry yeah i had the engine off. Just checked again and its within the right level on the stick for cold (which the engine is cold).
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2015 | 03:15 PM
  #7  
Fazter's Avatar
Fazter
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
So I pulled the column cover and found one of the wires rubbed raw like I expected to. I taped that back up and then the 29 fuse didn't blow after that, but I still could not get my overdrive light come on when hitting the button. I took the truck for a run around the block and it was driving fine in "drive" but only using 1st and 2nd gears, when it would try to hit 3rd, it just revs up like its slipping. I limped it to a local trans shop using the 1 and 2 gears on the column and they are saying it needs a whole trans replaced. Does anyone think it still could be electrical, or would you tend to agree that this trans is shot. Its just very strange that I get it and it blows up within 3 days especially since I put at least 150 miles on it and it worked flawlessly.
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2015 | 03:12 PM
  #8  
Fazter's Avatar
Fazter
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Would the bad trans cause the overdrive off light not to work? I honestly don't know if it worked prior to this or not, but I have tried 2 other switches that I got from junkyard trucks and nothing changed. At least I'm not blowing fuse 29 anymore since I taped up the shorted wire.

I'm just worried that the cause of the trans to blow was me trying to drive it home with an electrical issue that was effecting the trans, such as the windshield may have leaked and got the PCM wet or something similar. And if i drop a new trans in, i'm worried i'll still have the electrical issue that may have caused this mess in the first place.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
limptera13
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Aug 29, 2011 05:13 AM
robjs111
1997 - 2003 F150
8
Nov 16, 2009 04:53 PM
Ricnc
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Nov 20, 2008 09:40 PM
kclements
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Feb 19, 2008 08:17 PM
pigsnotguy
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
5
Mar 5, 2007 01:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:46 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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 | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
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-8
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-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE