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Sluggish takeoff

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Old Sep 19, 2019 | 07:03 AM
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Sluggish takeoff

I’ve got a 1994 f250 with the 5.8 runs great after about 10 mph, purrs at idle. Recently did a distributor and it happened to be 180 off (to many beers didn’t set to 10 btdc) its was still running fine just had a miss. Well I just restabbed it and set the timing right and found the firing order was way wrong (I didn’t set that) so I fixed that and she idles great no missing and she sounds strong but still slow on takeoff so I have to drop the trans down to 2 to get out in traffic what could my problem be?
 
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Old Sep 19, 2019 | 09:24 AM
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When taking off from a stop, trans should be in 1st gear. If you put it in 2nd, it will start in 2nd. If that feels like a downshift to you, then sounds like your trans is starting off in 3rd gear.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2019 | 10:58 AM
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Did you remove the SPOUT plug when setting the base timing?
 
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Old Sep 28, 2019 | 01:53 PM
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I’ve been reading up on the e40d transmissions and have got a few answers one being possibly the vss being covered in metal shavings another being the tps going bad and also one being the wiring harnesses are dirty and need cleaned, I can drive it in regular ol drive all day if I’m just cruising but first gear seems to be a lil slow so sometimes (if I’m in a hurry) I’ll drop it in 2 on the gear selector the transmission shifts smooth in all gears but just doesn’t have the same get up and go that it used to if that makes sense.
 
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Old Sep 28, 2019 | 03:10 PM
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like jas88 said, if gear selector is in 2nd gear, it starts off in 2nd gear(like manual 2nd gear) it shouldnt be shifting through any gears until you take it out of 2nd gear, have you checked trans fluid level, after warmed up and driven, what is your rear gearing? 4x4, bigger tires?
 
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 05:30 PM
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What I meant was drop it in 2 to take off or pull out in traffic then shift back to drive but I see what y’all are saying...negative on the 4x4 and tires are the next size up from stock and it was still driving the same on stock size. Took it for a hour ride to Webster fl. And it cruised at 60-65 with no problem. What’s y’alls thoughts on the tps and/or vss? It’s hard to pinpoint this thing and I dont have the option of throwing random parts at it.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 05:42 PM
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I think you are still missing the point - if you have to put it in 2nd to get it to take off, that tells me it's stuck in either 3rd or 4th when in D. In D, it should start off in 1st, so shifting to 2nd should make things worse, not better.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by jas88
I think you are still missing the point - if you have to put it in 2nd to get it to take off, that tells me it's stuck in either 3rd or 4th when in D. In D, it should start off in 1st, so shifting to 2nd should make things worse, not better.
If I remember correctly, the default for an E4OD is 4th gear so that would make sense.

Why would you drop it into 2nd to start off and not 1st gear? That is a little odd to me anyway. Try retrieving fault codes. Does the OD cancel switch flash or work at all?
 
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jas88
I think you are still missing the point - if you have to put it in 2nd to get it to take off, that tells me it's stuck in either 3rd or 4th when in D. In D, it should start off in 1st, so shifting to 2nd should make things worse, not better.
When I put the truck in D it feels like I’m pulling a heavy trailer when I drop it in 2 it drives like normal but doesn’t shift out of that gear until I put in back in D I get that it seems like it’s stuck in 3rd But it seems to be driving fine like this for now it’s just a PITA and I see what you’re saying about shifting into 2 should bog even more if I’m following correctly, but it honestly takes off like it should if it was in D and working properly. Ive cleaned the vss and replaced the throttle position sensor because it was fairly cheap and it helped but still isn’t 100%
 
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
If I remember correctly, the default for an E4OD is 4th gear so that would make sense.

Why would you drop it into 2nd to start off and not 1st gear? That is a little odd to me anyway. Try retrieving fault codes. Does the OD cancel switch flash or work at all?
The OD switch works but has never flashed.
 
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 06:48 PM
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Any parts, fuzz, non trans fluid items in the pan?
Add a drain plug you can reuse fluid.
 
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Old Oct 8, 2019 | 08:07 PM
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Okay so I’m thinking somewhere the trans isn’t getting power I’m not sure yet if it’s the connections or the lines somewhere or maybe even in the pcm or tcm but I finally got around to pulling codes and this is what I come up with...
629-converter clutch control circuit failure
625-epc driver open in pcm
621-shift solenoid 1 circuit failure
622-shift solenoid 2 circuit failure
629-converter clutch control circuit failure
626-coast clutch solenoid circuit failure
624-epc solenoid or driver circuit failure
637-TOT sensor above maximum voltage
And 621/622 again
(my check engine light was blown)
 
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Old Oct 9, 2019 | 04:39 PM
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this might help, point in right direction, what you could check
E40D: The Importance Of A Clean Trans Harness. - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
 
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Old Oct 9, 2019 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by torq'ta 5 8
this might help, point in right direction, what you could check
E40D: The Importance Of A Clean Trans Harness. - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
I owe you and that thread owner a beer it’s was the wire harness as I suspected but mine was packed full of clay and not even plugged in
 
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