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E4OD Erratic Shifting After Collision

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Old Feb 3, 2019 | 09:40 PM
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E4OD Erratic Shifting After Collision

My '97 F-350 7.3 was rear ended a few weeks ago, and, while it's still operable, things aren't running quite right. Ever since the collision, the transmission has been shifting very weirdly. It's almost as if it doesn't want to hold OD, it won't shift to OD where it normally would before, and when it does, it will often downshift to 3rd again. Cruising at 45 MPH, it will hold 3rd, and then the RPM will spike like the torque converter unlocked, and then relocked a split second later.

Any reason to believe the collision could've damaged the transmission or computer? Trans fluid temp is normal, truck sounds normal, no "problems" driving except this shifting issue.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2019 | 09:43 PM
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Check the harness connector at the transmission. All the symptoms you are experiencing can be caused by the connector being loose.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2019 | 09:46 PM
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Thanks for the pointer! Where might that connector be found, exactly?
 
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Old Feb 4, 2019 | 09:17 AM
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Check that all the bulbs for the brake lights work.

If memory serves me correctly, if one brake light bulb is damaged, missing or blowned, it was cause havoc with the E4OD. Actually, that may be with all Ford transmissions.

Double check that both rear brake lights are working and the 3rd brake light on the cab. I would be inclined to check the rear brake lights since you were In a rear end collision.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2019 | 12:03 AM
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Rear brake lights have been on the fritz as long as I've owned the truck; whoever wired the flatbed must've been three sheets to the wind. However, this problem is new since the collision. I'm confident that the brake lights are not the problem.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2019 | 04:57 AM
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Originally Posted by AKHunter93
Rear brake lights have been on the fritz as long as I've owned the truck; whoever wired the flatbed must've been three sheets to the wind. However, this problem is new since the collision. I'm confident that the brake lights are not the problem.
I'm confident that your brake lights can't be on the fritz and expect the E4OD to work correctly either too though.So you might as well start there.Whenever diagnosing anything,always repair any known issues first.This can save you so much headaches.If you still need to dig deeper,time and effort wasn't wasted,it was needed in the first place anyway so.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2019 | 06:50 AM
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No brake lights sounds the proximate cause of your rear-ender to me.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2019 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
Check the harness connector at the transmission. All the symptoms you are experiencing can be caused by the connector being loose.
In addition to it possibly being loose it can also be dirty connections in that harness.. So when you locate it, clean the connections with electrical/contact cleaner while checking connection for proper fit. Sandy
 
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Old Feb 5, 2019 | 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by AKHunter93
Thanks for the pointer! Where might that connector be found, exactly?
The connector is on the passenger side of the transmission about 2/3rds of the way back.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2019 | 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by FORDF250HDXLT
I'm confident that your brake lights can't be on the fritz and expect the E4OD to work correctly either too though.So you might as well start there.Whenever diagnosing anything,always repair any known issues first.This can save you so much headaches.If you still need to dig deeper,time and effort wasn't wasted,it was needed in the first place anyway so.
Originally Posted by jas88
No brake lights sounds the proximate cause of your rear-ender to me.
Let's try to keep the discussion on topic, please. I don't need help with brake lights. They were in proper working order, as verified by the responding officers the night of the collision. Some of the lights would be sporadic on/off since I've owned the truck, because whoever wired the flatbed in to the truck's harness didn't know what they were doing, but the performance of the transmission has never been an issue. Ergo, the brake lights weren't causing transmission problems prior to the collision.

None of the brake lights were damaged during the collision, they currently work the same as they did prior to the collision. Ergo, the post-collision transmission problems weren't caused by a sudden change in the behavior of my brake lights.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2019 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Ddaybc


The connector is on the passenger side of the transmission about 2/3rds of the way back.
Thank you for that. When I get the time to check it out this weekend, hopefully this is the cause. Seems fairly straightforward, and the connector could conceivably be jarred in a collision.

 
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Old Feb 6, 2019 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by AKHunter93
Let's try to keep the discussion on topic, please. I don't need help with brake lights. They were in proper working order, as verified by the responding officers the night of the collision. Some of the lights would be sporadic on/off since I've owned the truck, because whoever wired the flatbed in to the truck's harness didn't know what they were doing, but the performance of the transmission has never been an issue. Ergo, the brake lights weren't causing transmission problems prior to the collision.

None of the brake lights were damaged during the collision, they currently work the same as they did prior to the collision. Ergo, the post-collision transmission problems weren't caused by a sudden change in the behavior of my brake lights.
I THINK they are bringing up brake lights because of the way these trucks are wired. For some reason, issues with the brake lights, including the third brake light can cause problems for the electronically controlled transmission.

But I'm just postulating, I've never had firsthand experience with this. I drive stick - the only time my transmission shifts erratically is when I'm a little drunk. (JK, don't drink and drive!).
 
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