Been a reader here for years...finally decided to join. I'm having some issues with an E4OD in my 1995 F250 7.5 4x4. Just wanted to hear some thoughts on diagnostics before replacing it with a reman, in case it could be fixed with a solenoid pack or something relatively easy.

Symptoms: At cold start, converter seems to slip at takeoff and low speeds, can be mild or severe...not as bad after it's warm. At highway speed (any temperature) the converter will achieve lockup, but will not hold lockup unless coasting or downhill. It's a factory stall converter, yet I can easily stall it up to 2600 RPM. Also, it has a hard reverse shift after it's warm. When cold, reverse is not hard but sometimes (rarely) the TC will lockup and stall the engine.

Things I have done: I changed the fluid and filter. Pan had no debris in it but the fluid smelled a little burnt. After only 300 miles on new fluid it already smells burnt and is darker like the old fluid. Replaced speed sensor and TPS. Fixed third brake light. Symptoms persist.

I'm thinking it could be one or a combination of things: low pump pressure, weak TC clutch, defective TC valve solenoid, worn TC valve. Of those, the only one that is easy to fix is the solenoid pack. Have I missed anything? Any thoughts?

 

When you changed the fluid, how much did you change? Did you empty the converter, too? Look at the front face of the converter. Is there any bluing on it? That would indicate the converter clutch is slipping.

 

I drained the converter and I ended up putting about 16 or 17 quarts back in it altogether. I tried to look at the front of the converter, but I can't see past the flywheel. The outer edge of the converter shows no bluing, but that's all I can see.

 

I'm curious, can I use a scanner to read live data from this transmission while it's running (i.e. line pressure, solenoid operation, etc.) or can I only read codes since it's pre OBDII?

 

Only codes. The 1995 is capable of live data, but it only gives engine information as far as I know.

 

You can read trans solenoid operation. You'll find a parameter for line pressure, but that is the line pressure the computer wants. It has no way of knowing what actual line pressure is, there isn't a line pressure sensor.

 

Ok, I'm going to try to track down someone with a scanner and pressure gauge and see if it will point me in the right direction.

 

So I found a scanner. There are no codes present. I found no way to read solenoid function in any of the OBDI options, at least with the scanner I was using. There is an Output State Check which allows you to energize and de-energize all the relays and solenoids on the truck which are controlled by the computer, but it doesn't actually indicate which ones are working or not.

I could hook a gauge up to it, but even that's not going to tell me anything useful. So what if it's low on pressure...the real question is *why* is it low on pressure? It could be any number of reasons.

I've got a solenoid pack from a donor truck I can throw in it (in hopes that the solenoid that operates the TC valve is sticking). But, while valves can "stick", it's been to my experience that solenoids either work or they don't. At any rate, that's really the only thing left that can be done without pulling the trans. If I have to pull the trans I'm going to replace it altogether with a reman w/new TC and a fat warranty, or lord willing, a ZF5 from a donor truck like my buddy recently did with his.

Thanks for everyone's replies. If or when I get a chance to test/replace the solenoid pack, I'll report back...in case this post helps anyone in the future having similar issues.