Hi, guys. I'm usually down in the 'vintage' section, but today my business partner and I purchased a 2002 F-250 Supercab Super Duty at an auction. It's a 7.3 diesel with auto, 2 wheel drive showing 218k on the odometer. It runs great, no smoke at start-up or running down the highway. Steering nice and tight, no unusual sqeaks or other noises.

Problem is, when you take off, the transmission doesn't want to shift into second gear unless you let off the throttle. Once it shifts into second, it shifts perfectly into the rest of the gears. It shows no signs of slipping when driving. When shifting from park into reverse or drive it engages firmly and immediately. I'm not familiar with these 'newer' autos. All my autos are C-6s. Could this problem be solved by a fluid and filter change, or is this something bigger?

 

Are you certain it's a 2002, not a 2001? This was a common problem with the 2001s, but the offending part was not in any 2002 truck.

The first step is always getting the codes read. The places that read codes free CANNOT read these codes. You need either a good independent shop or a Ford dealer.

 

I'll have to check the warranty tag to be sure, but it was listed as an '02. Assuming it's an '01, since this was common with those, what would be the problem? Also, I have an el cheapo scan tool, will it not read the codes I need? There is no check engine light shining, by the way.

 

I checked the warranty tag today and it IS a 2001. I also checked for codes with my el cheapo scanner and found none, so at least I know I don't have a bunch of hidden problems.

So, if I may ask, what commonly causes this problem in '01s?

 

The problem in the 2001 trucks was a new type of one way clutch. It's brand name is Mechanical Diode. It was a disaster!

As they start to fail the first symptom is that you can only get the 1-2 shift by lifting off the go pedal. After a while it will progress to where you can't get a 1-2 shift at all.

A rebuild is the only cure. There are kits available to change the Mechanical Diode to the older (and newer, too) sprag tyoe one way clutch.