Transmission issue
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Transmission issue
2001 7.3 auto with 188k miles. Supposed to have had a new tranny at 99k miles. Fluid nice and red with no smell.
Here's problem: during the 3rd shift (gear before overdrive), and between 40 and 50 mph, I get a small vibration in tranny. Seems to be just that shift. It's not noticeable if I run it a little harder on the shift (speed up). If I let it lag on the shift, the vibration is worst. All other gears seem ok.
Any ideas?
Questions:
1. I believe I have a 4R100. It has a drain plug, but how do I confirm?
2. I have a couple different scan tools. Should I be getting codes if I have tranny problems? Or is there a scan PID I can check?
3. I was thinking of starting with fluid change. Since it probably hasn't been changed since 99k miles.
Last question: any detailed write on fluid change handy? That would include type of fluid, filter part number, etc?
Thanks, jed
Here's problem: during the 3rd shift (gear before overdrive), and between 40 and 50 mph, I get a small vibration in tranny. Seems to be just that shift. It's not noticeable if I run it a little harder on the shift (speed up). If I let it lag on the shift, the vibration is worst. All other gears seem ok.
Any ideas?
Questions:
1. I believe I have a 4R100. It has a drain plug, but how do I confirm?
2. I have a couple different scan tools. Should I be getting codes if I have tranny problems? Or is there a scan PID I can check?
3. I was thinking of starting with fluid change. Since it probably hasn't been changed since 99k miles.
Last question: any detailed write on fluid change handy? That would include type of fluid, filter part number, etc?
Thanks, jed
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,695
Likes: 2,616
From: SE Florida
Here's problem: during the 3rd shift (gear before overdrive), and between 40 and 50 mph, I get a small vibration in tranny. Seems to be just that shift. It's not noticeable if I run it a little harder on the shift (speed up). If I let it lag on the shift, the vibration is worst.
That's the only transmission it could possibly be.
The easiest way to confirm if you have a drain plug is to crawl underneath and look.
You won't find a part number for the filter in there because you don't need to change the filter. It's good for the life of the transmission.
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Thanks Mark. Very nice of you to furnish all that information. To answer your questions:
When I say "lag" I mean low throttle speed.... Just starting slow and easing along with very low rpms instead of getting on it say about 2000 rpms. The more throttle, the less vibration. I should have said lugging the motor or slow speed start.
I see the drain plug. I thought by mentioning that would help ID tranny. You ID'd tranny in your post.
To confirm, since I don't change the filter, that means I change without dropping pan, correct?
Thanks again, jed
When I say "lag" I mean low throttle speed.... Just starting slow and easing along with very low rpms instead of getting on it say about 2000 rpms. The more throttle, the less vibration. I should have said lugging the motor or slow speed start.
I see the drain plug. I thought by mentioning that would help ID tranny. You ID'd tranny in your post.
To confirm, since I don't change the filter, that means I change without dropping pan, correct?
Thanks again, jed
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,695
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From: SE Florida
I think it is more likely to be a u-joint than something in the transmission. You can only check u-joints with the driveshaft out of the truck. If you check them with the drivesahft in place I can almost guarantee that you'll think they are fine. Right until one breaks going down the road.
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That's how I do it.
I think it is more likely to be a u-joint than something in the transmission. You can only check u-joints with the driveshaft out of the truck. If you check them with the drivesahft in place I can almost guarantee that you'll think they are fine. Right until one breaks going down the road.
I think it is more likely to be a u-joint than something in the transmission. You can only check u-joints with the driveshaft out of the truck. If you check them with the drivesahft in place I can almost guarantee that you'll think they are fine. Right until one breaks going down the road.
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Mark (or anyone else), have you ever seen anything from Ford about changing the fluid by draining the oil pan once, refilling with new fluid, running for 30 to 30 minutes, drain pan again, then refilling pan with new fluid?
Sounds like contamination to me, but my friend changes his two 7.3s this way.
Sounds like contamination to me, but my friend changes his two 7.3s this way.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
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Update
OK guys this is driving me crazy. Replaced the transmission fluid and filter, replace the differential fluid, and the dealer checked the u-joint (did not remove though), and all seems to be OK with those items.
To recap the problem, I'm getting a vibration in third gear only at low acceleration. On the gas little harder, vibration not noticeable. Whatever the problem, it's only in that one gear. I have not tried the torque converter break tap yet. Nor am I sure about the u-joint. The dealer on examined on the truck and Mark told me it had to be removed, which I would do if I knew how.
So, any ideas I can try now?
Thanks guys, jed
To recap the problem, I'm getting a vibration in third gear only at low acceleration. On the gas little harder, vibration not noticeable. Whatever the problem, it's only in that one gear. I have not tried the torque converter break tap yet. Nor am I sure about the u-joint. The dealer on examined on the truck and Mark told me it had to be removed, which I would do if I knew how.
So, any ideas I can try now?
Thanks guys, jed
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