so this weekend i picked up a 1990 F250 4x4 with a 351 and E4OD in it. the trans doesn't shift at all. if i put it into 2nd it will go and stay in 2nd. i was able to drive it home this way. after doing research i did some investigating. i found oil/fluid in the plug for the solenoids. the one on the passenger side of the trans.
my question is, will simply replacing the solenoid pack fix this, or could there be some underlying issues that would cause the oil to leak into that plug?
the trans doesn't seem to slip and goes into reverse. aside form not shifting, it seems ok.

 

Sounds like a wiring or computer problem.
The transmission is doing what supposed to do when disconnected from the PCM Computer.

The transmission is 100% computer controlled other than what it does in limp mode and that is what you have it in now.

Start with that plug on the passenger side and take the back of the shell off and check the wires as they go into the plug.

Getting a little oil up into the plug is not going to cause your problem as oil is a non conductor of electricity.

Not saying the solenoid pack is not bad but would not think so at this point.

You also need to run the EEC self-test but when you do I think you will see a codes that points a problem with the wiring to the solenoid pack.

 

ok, i'll check the wiring. it all seems ok at first glance. not cuts, pinches, tears, ect. is there anything specific to look for, aside from the obvious burnt, cut, bare wires?

the oil is brownish in color. it looks more like motor oil as apposed to trans fluid, which would be reddish.
so am i correct in thinking the oil itself isn't conductive but anything in the oil might be. just like water. pure water isn't conductive, the minerals in the water are.

 

Look for continuity in circuit, and also check for shorts to ground and to power. A visual inspection is next to useless in checking wiring.

The first step should be checking for codes. I'll bet there are codes stored that will lead you to the problem.

 

i'll pick up a code reader on the way home tonight.

out of curiosity, without any physical damage, how can wires go bad?

 

It seams to be very common for the wires to brake off the back of this plug going to the solenoid pack. I think this is caused by heat from the exhaust pipe near it. Ford put a heat shield over it but it is also left off a lot of the time.
So you need to check continuity between this plug and the plug on the drivers fender or the EEC/PCM plug.








/

 

This is the code reader to get, the Equus 3145:


/

 

those pics/diagrams help tremendously, thanks.
i still have that heat shield, fyi.

that was the exact reader i was going to get. $30 at autozone.

i don't think i will have time to mess with it tonight and tomorrow its supposed to rain so i may not reply for a few days. lets hope for good weather.

edit:
here is a pic of each plug. after looking at the pics, i thinks is very dirty water, not oil in the plug. considering the trans side plug is completely surrounded by dried mud.
actually, i don't think it was even connected.

 

for reference - https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15938115

 

They can corrode inside the insulation, or even break inside the insulation. I've found wires that had no continuity at all, but looked fine. The insulation was intact, but the conductor was broken.

 

With the plug not connected it will shift as you described.

It also looks like you need a new plug as that one will not stay connected.
Go to a salvage yard and get a plug with about 2 feet of wire and the splice it to your wire or get the whole harness with the plugs.

 

i'll look into a plug, new and from a yard and see what my best option is.
i will also clean all that dirt and see how this plug fits. i got some dialectic grease from a guy in the shop at work and i will use that also to help fight this issue in the future.

thanks for the advice and reply's, guys.

 

You might want to change the oil and filter in the transmission also to get out whatever they put in there trying to fix the shifting issue.
It takes Mercon V transmission fluid.

 

yup, a trans filter and fluid are in the plans as well.

 

Note that is a 4X4 truck so it takes the filter for the deep pan with a long neck.