Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

C6 won't shift by itself

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 3, 2017 | 12:02 PM
  #1  
LittleBlue79's Avatar
LittleBlue79
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 269
Likes: 14
From: Shelbyville
C6 won't shift by itself

79 F-150 460 C6 4x4

My transmission will not shift on its own. It will stay in 1st all the way up to at least 3000rpms, I haven't tried to take it higher. I can manually shift into 2nd and it hits hard when it goes to 2nd then back to D and it will stay in 2nd. My truck was down for about 3 months to repair some minor engine fire damage and my joy of having it back up and running was immediately squashed by my faulty transmission.

Does anyone have ideas on what would cause a C6 to do this?
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2017 | 02:21 PM
  #2  
mikeo0o0o0's Avatar
mikeo0o0o0
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Club FTE Gold Member
Either the vacuum modulator is bad or the vacuum line going to it is bad.
With fire damage, my bet would be the vacuum line at the rear of the engine took a hit. Check that first. Then follow the line all the way down and check for kinks or other damage.
Pull the line off at the modulator, if trans fluid leaks out, its bad. If no fluid leaks out it could still be bad.
Replacing the modulator is simple. One bolt holds a clamp on that clamps the modulator to the trans case, it just slips in and uses an o-ring seal. There is a small pin in the modulator. Be careful when you remove the modulator, the pin may or may not come out with it. If it does come out, don't lose it, you reuse that pin.
Also, the modulators are identified by the color of the band on them. The most common and the "go to" modulators are either green or black stripe.
 
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2017 | 06:03 PM
  #3  
Early 1969's Avatar
Early 1969
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
mine did the same thing, and luckily it was just the vacuum line came off the modulator when I was doing some work near it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2017 | 12:10 AM
  #4  
PapaBearYuma's Avatar
PapaBearYuma
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
Club FTE Silver Member

I did a similar thing. When chasing down a vacuum leak, I capped ALL the lines. Took it for a drive and wondered, at first, why the brakes were hard. Then I wondered why it was revving so high. Then I wondered why is was still in first. Then the light came on...
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2017 | 11:12 PM
  #5  
LittleBlue79's Avatar
LittleBlue79
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 269
Likes: 14
From: Shelbyville
You guys hit the nail on the head. Pulled the vacuum line off my modulator and trans fluid came out. $15 later and the problem is solved. You guys are the best. 👍
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2017 | 07:00 AM
  #6  
mikeo0o0o0's Avatar
mikeo0o0o0
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Club FTE Gold Member
Thanks. Glad you got it fixed.
 
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2017 | 09:17 PM
  #7  
PapaBearYuma's Avatar
PapaBearYuma
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by LittleBlue79
You guys hit the nail on the head. Pulled the vacuum line off my modulator and trans fluid came out. $15 later and the problem is solved. You guys are the best. 👍
Glad you got it fixed! No greater disappointment than to fix one problem then have another, potentially bigger, problem rear its ugly head
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tyedye
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Feb 27, 2018 01:38 AM
prelag
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
25
Nov 22, 2016 05:34 PM
plefe
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
27
Jan 10, 2015 11:40 AM
897.3idi
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
29
Feb 9, 2012 04:17 PM
maribou912
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Nov 29, 2011 08:11 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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