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1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

'89 E350 diesel E4od problem

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Old Jan 27, 2018 | 12:11 PM
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vanvet
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'89 E350 diesel E4od problem

Reverse works fine; when it's in Drive it moves forward but when you try to throttle it just revs up. Seems like the converter isn't locking in or not getting pressure?
 
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Old Jan 27, 2018 | 01:53 PM
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Mark Kovalsky
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The converter isn't locking because it isn't supposed to lock until about 45 MPH. Since it works fine in reverse the problem CANNOT be the torque converter because it does the exact same thing in reverse as it does in drive. If it works in reverse it also works in drive.

Your forward clutch isn't staying engaged. There are two possible reasons. The easy one is that the feed bolt that takes pressure from the valve body to the clutch has come loose. Drop the pan and remove the main valve body. There are three bolts under the valve body with holes drilled through them. If they are loose you've found your problem. If they are not loose the trans needs to come out and be rebuilt or replaced.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2018 | 04:29 PM
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Ah HA! Thanks, Mark, would the holes be lengthwise through the bolts, or sideways through the bolt heads like safety wire holes? I'm hoping it's the bolts. Freind of mine kut in Texas has a trans rebuild shop with all the equipment like special cleaning cabinet etc.; I've watched him rebuild an automatic tranny once, didn't take him but about 10 minutes once all the cleaning was done, but he's got all the special tools one would need for that. Watching him fly through the process was impressive, leaves me wondering whether I'd be able to do the same job with regular tools...
 
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Old Jan 27, 2018 | 08:24 PM
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Mark Kovalsky
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The holes are lengthwise through the bolts, not at all like safety wiring.

 
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