My 94 has the E4OD transmission and I have had it rebuilt. Got it back and basically same problems as before they started, so I took it back. Since it is all computer controlled, if I have a bad PCM how would I know if it was repaired properly. Moreover how would the transmission shop know?

I haven't had the truck long enough to get into working on it since it has been at the shop since I got it. I have not had a chance to pull the PCM to see its condition. When I first got it back from the shop the codes were back to solenoid pack or connector related. I tried to do a KOER test and it didn't work. KOEO worked fine.

My question is since it is still at the trans place should I get involved with the PMC or just wait till they say it is fixed again and start trouble shooting if the shifts are still hard and limp mode comes back? Waiting two weeks is getting old and I am getting concerned. READ PISSED since they have my money and truck. Thanks for any advice as to what I should do? Thanks Sandy

 

While I wouldn't rule out the PCM being at least partially responsible for the issues you are seeing it is more likely to be a wiring or connector fault. There isn't a whole lot to fix inside one of these PCMs and the only way to do that is take it out of the truck and open it up for inspection, then if something is badly corroded or burnt the best course of action is to just replace the PCM.

 

Thank you. I just spoke with my friend and they should have it back in the morning. If it still has issues I will pull the PCM and visually check for its internal condition. I'll report back. Thanks again. SANDY

 

Don't feel bad i have read this same thing over and over for years, so many people have had a tranny rebuilt when it is another issue entirely. I was in the same boat when i bought mine and the best transmission company around i had them look at it and test drive it and booked an appt. to rebuild it for 3400 (Cdn.) but luckily i found this forum and found out that a bad third brake light was my problem I was booked in for the shop 3 days later!

 

Thanks. I feel better now. Curious as to how the third brake light caused a trans problem if you want to share. Sandy

 

Copied from another forum: "Yes, any fault in the brake light circuit CAN affect an E4OD. This diagram shows, and its caption explains everything that affects a Ford electronic automatic":



This one describes a very simple but important diagnostic test for electronic automatics using only the brake pedal:



Since an intact incandescent bulb is required to supply a weak ground to the EEC to indicate BOO off, a burned-out bulb can cause static voltage to trigger unwanted TCC activity.

 

Very interesting. Thank you very much, Sandy

 

I basically went and TOOK my 94 truck from the trans shop. For over a month promises and pure BS. I know they haven't done anything in the month since I took it back after a day of it being supposedly rebuilt and fixed for 2 grand. I opened the PCM and there were two corroded capacitors barely hanging on. I installed the new PCM and the truck shifts like a new one. Can't even feel it shifting gears. This is immediately after putting it in with no training for the PCM.

My dilemma is when I took it from the shop, the owner said they wanted to try a PCM but didn't know where to get one etc. If I would have said go ahead it probably would have been there another month or two. Who knows? I told him I would get the PCM and replace it for him and he agreed. Before I approach him for the cost of the PCM I though I might see what you guys think. I feel sure he is going to tell me to take a hike since it wasn't the trans rebuilt fault. So, I am hesitant to go there because things could get very ugly very quick and I don't want to suffer the consequences. I am thinking to avoid this I should call him and see what he says.

Before I do, my question is do you think he should be responsible for the PCM or should I. We previously talked about the E4OD being computer controlled and he said he had personally repaired over 100 of them and knew that it was computer controlled. I don't want to even call him If it is something I should do on my own since it is not in the rebuild process. I don't want to get screwed either. What is your opinion of who should be responsible for the PCM replacement. I do want to be fair and I have a one year warranty. Your thoughts please. Sandy

 

Is it actually shifting? If it is the wrong PCM it will always stay in fourth gear and never shift.

There is no training possible on that PCM. That feature didn't appear until many years after your truck was built.

 

If he rebuilt the transmission as agreed, I don't see how a bad pcm is something that would be his responsibility.

Your original post shows that the pcm wasn't even part of the consideration at the time.

Now, if the agreement (in writing) with the shop was to fix the vehicle , no matter what the problem was, all for a fixed price, you might have a claim....

 

Yes it is shifting. I was just over emphasizing how smooth it shifted. Every number on the PCM matched up with the one originally in it. Since no training required, it proved it. Thanks Sandy

 

I understand what you are saying and I am not in disagreement. Digging further into the situation, he initially returned it to me in the exact condition I took it in for. When I took it back he said he would take care of it It was in the same exact condition I returned it in over a month later and HE mentioned they would replace the PCM. I told him about the correct numbers being needed etc and he seem confused. I told him I would basically do it for him with the correct part and see if it worked. My IMPRESSION was he was going to replace it. I mentioned the PCM when I initially took it back and he said it was not the PCM. When I went over to check on it, is when he said he was going to replace it. It is all in the interpretation I guess. So the reason I am posting is should I press the issue based on interpretation or should it be my responsibility to fix the job with a critical transmission needed component? Sandy

 

Saying "I'll replace xxxx for you" doesn't necessarily mean that there would NOT be a charge for it.
Interpretation? Yep, but probably means different things to different folks.

It comes down to what was the agreement in writing.

And I will tell you the few hundred extra this may have cost you would not be worth the hassle and even more costs you will encounter if he takes the opposite stand on what he agreed to do for you.

 

No agreement in writing. And I understand my position perfectly. About all I could do is go to Small Claims Court where you can win the battle and still lose the war. I can easily take up a day of his time there but I won't go that route. I just want to do what is is fair to both of us.

 

Totally get that you feel otherwise.
Maybe you could go back and have a chat about it, but if it he turns adversarial, then you have your answer.

At that point you will probably be angry and you might get swept up in the "I'll show you at any costs" thoughts.
Court will also take up YOUR time and aggravations will ensue.
And who knows who will win?

If you are good with the guy in every other aspect and you're not offended by him, taking the high road and not resorting to scrapping in the gutter may be the best play, especially after a REASONABLE (and non accusatory) face to face conversation in a semi private environment (especially if you live in a smaller town).

I don't always heed the above either, but often I have regretted the outcomes, even when I end up on top.