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E4OD shifting issues

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Old Jun 1, 2019 | 08:22 PM
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E4OD shifting issues

1996 F-250, 205K miles. The transmission has worked fine most of the time but lately there is an intermittent problem of not shifting out of 1st or sometimes 2nd gear. After moving the lever from 1st through to D it might clear up, or maybe after restarting. In the past I have had a P0500 code for the VSS and have replaced the sensor twice and also the pigtail wiring.
The problem is still occurring but not setting any codes now. I don’t know what else it could be without a trouble code.
Are there any other sensors that could cause this, or any other troubleshooting ideas y’all may have?
Also, is there any way to test a VSS to see if it is good?

Thanks,
Glenn.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 09:42 AM
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My fiancé’s truck has been doing the same thing. Randomly not wanting to shift out of first sometimes. Rarely. Can’t figure it out. Subscribed.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 12:42 PM
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As always check the transmission fluid level, somewhat challenging due to the white bulb level indicator ...

P500 code description:

P0500 Vehicle speed sensor malfunction. Sensor, circuit, PCM, PSOM, TR failure, low trans. fluid.
 
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Old Jun 2, 2019 | 02:28 PM
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On her rig the fluid level is full. And it is bright red. No engine lights. Trans temp is usially 160° at the highest. And the absolute highest I’ve ever seen was 195° last summer. Not really sure what is up.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2019 | 05:44 PM
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Thread bump. Any more wisdom on original post?

GM
 
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Old Jun 5, 2019 | 07:29 PM
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If the VSS signal isn't getting to the PCM it won't upshift. Find out why it's setting the P0500 code and you'll find the problem.

It could be a bad VSS (vehicle speed sensor,) or the wiring to the VSS, or a bad PSOM (Programmable Speedometer/Odometer Module.) The PSOM is located behind the instrument cluster.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2019 | 09:43 AM
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What’s up with these intermittent shift problems? Replace parts and check wiring, truck runs fine for a couple of months and then won’t shift and throws a VSS code. It’s difficult to fix a problem that only happens when it wants to.

Makes me wish I had a manual transmission.

.....now I feel better anyway.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2019 | 01:24 PM
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Are any of you guys still on an original trans? Seals wear internally causing shifting issues as do soiled valve bodies.

I have a 328k never opened trans in a car (aside from fluid changes), it acts weird at times and even more when cold...trans was built late 1989 for 1990. That is 30 years back. Nothing rubber will last that long and be dependable.

Mark told you guys what to inspect. If you have done that and confirmed all of that, sounds like a worn out unit to me due to simply worn out seals.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2019 | 09:21 AM
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Could the TRS (neutral safety switch...) on the side of the transmission cause this issue?
 
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Old Sep 19, 2019 | 07:12 PM
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It's possible, but sure not likely.

There is a code P0500. That will cause this problem. Fix that first.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2019 | 08:13 PM
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I’ve attempted to fix by replacing the sensor twice and the pigtail plug also. Wire appears to be undamaged.
Still fails to shift and throws a code randomly and intermittently. I not sure where to go next with it.

Glenn.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2019 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Glenn Moates
Wire appears to be undamaged.
Appears undamaged, or electrically tests as undamaged? There is a big, big difference between those two.
 
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