EDIT: 2003 F250 6.0/automatic

I drove down to my girlfriend’s house last night, and my truck started acting up about five miles from her house. I just had the AC compressor replaced (it had seized up). I got it back on the 23rd, and had only put about 100 miles on it until last night. Aside from the shop forgetting to tighten down a couple of the turbo clamps on the pipe going to the inter cooler (which popped off and sounded like a shotgun, scaring the crap out of my kids and myself), everything seemed fine. The truck ran great, lots of power (as always), shifted perfect. i drove it to work several times and never had an issue.

Then, I drove it to her house (3-1/2 hours away). I got off the highway a few miles from her house so I could fuel up for the trip back tomorrow morning. When I pulled off the highway and gave it throttle, as it shifted it was slamming into gear. I BELIEVE it was from second to third, but I wasn’t paying that much attention until it started acting up. It did this all the way to the gas station, then all the way to her house. It seemed as though it was a lot better over 50. Not sure if that means anything or not.

i did do some searching and found the “5r110 Shift Relearning Strategy”, and I’m getting ready to go try that, since before the compressor replacement, I had unhooked both batteries and didn’t have a KAM battery (just found out about it when I was searching for my issue). I’m hoping that solves it, but is there any other issue that could cause this? I figured I’d ask now so I might have some ideas when I get back in from messing with the truck. I haven’t even put 2,500 miles on this truck since I bought it back in February, and I’m starting to think it hates me. LOL

Anyway, thanks for any help you all might be able to give me. Really don’t want to have to replace a transmission in this thing. I have enough expenses, as does everyone else.

Rick

 

Did the tow/haul light flash? That would indicate that codes have been stored.

Try the relearning procedure. That may clear this up.

 

I would start with the basics to and check your transmission dipstick to see if its at the
correct level, as well as does it look like clean fluid? Smell burned?

Also trucks mileage? Do you have any idea if it towed its whole life?

I have an 03 f-250 5.4 at 190,xxx miles & it shifts like butter still.

 

Transmission fluid level is right at the top of the “H” on the dipstick. Smells fine and it’s light pink in color. No tunes on the truck, it’s completely stock. Trans temp is always a little under halfway. It’s never gotten above that. There aren’t any codes popping up at all, and my code reader is at home, unfortunately.
I took it for a drive down the road and it did alright on the way out (about 2 miles), aside from the shifting being off (but not slamming into gear). But on the way back, it was falling on its face when I gave it throttle, and wouldn’t accelerate at all. That was at around 30-35 mph.


Unfortunately, the tow/haul light nor the mode itself work on my truck. Hasn’t worked since I bought it early this year.

 

If it was me I would take it to a reputable transmission shop & ask for a free diagnoses.
My city has one that has great reviews & has been in the same spot forever so I would feel better about what they had to say.

My co-worker blew his dodge transmission up & they let him pay it off in payments &
then he got the truck back when he was done paying if off a month later because he was in a bind.

Another option is to use a additive like Lucas transmission stabilizer on it. I used this on an 01 Camry I bought with 298K on it because why the hell not try and stretch it as far
as possible before a rebuild. It actually worked amazingly on it, only time it shifts hard now is on a cold morning (Northwest temps, like 15 degrees out) when its not warmed up yet.

 

So I took it out and did the relearn procedure for the transmission. Seemed to shift a bit better at first, although it felt like my power was gone. Almost felt as bad as when the clamps on the pipe to the intercooler came off and I was losing all my boost. That is, until about 30-35 mph, then the power comes back. Before that, even floored it barely accelerates. Also, on the way back it never shifted past fourth. I had it up to 3k RPM at around 60-65 mph, and it refused to shift into overdrive.


I’d be happy to take it to a transmission shop, but nobody around here gives free estimates that I’m aware of. Even if they did, I have a hard time trusting most big shops with free diagnoses because they make money by repairing stuff, so it always seems like it’s something major, even though many times it’s something cheap and easy to fix. Not saying all shops are like that, but I don’t want to trust my expenses with anyone without hearing lots of good reviews.



So as of right now, I’m either going to fix it myself, find a cheap replacement trans (if that’s what it needs), or end up giving up and parting it out.

 

I wouldn't take it to a dealership as they will always be higher priced especially for a transmission rebuild.
We've got a place called Mayfield's & its all they do & they give out free estimates & diagnoses with fair prices.

I wouldn't give up on it, I'm a firm believer in fixing them as something comes up. Especially because it beats a car payment & because I do it all myself & over
the years have saved us a ton of money. My 03 f-250 had a ton of problems but I've recently crested that curve and now should be trouble free for another 100K.

If nobody in your area will do a free estimate or diagnoses I would drop the pan off and do a fluid dump & refill. I would also get a good reusable gasket to go
back on the pan when you bolt it back up. Also see if you have an metal shavings on the pan magnet as this would be a huge hint as to what may be wrong.

Fairly easy on these trucks as I could easily slid under it in the driveway with the trucks ground clearance. Napa sells their transmission fluid with their name on it but
its the same stuff as the name brand fluids just with Napa's name slapped on it (Forget the namebrand its been awhile.) Ended up buying a case of it & it wasn't that bad of a price at all. Also make sure the truck is up to temp when you check your dipstick and after you refill for a correct level reading.

Best of luck my friend!

 

Ok, now I’m confused. I unhooked the batteries and tried the relearning procedure for a second time. It seemed to do better this time, until it started stumbling and falling on its face again. This time I turned around, and when I put it in reverse, it kicked in, but the throttle didn’t respond at all and the injectors had a much louder clatter than usual. Then when it finally started to respond (only slightly...sounded like it was missing and bucking when I revved it up in neutral), I put it back in reverse, very slowly crept onto the road, then put it in drive and it would barely do 5-10 mph for about 2 or 3 minutes. Then all of a sudden it crept to 30, and took off like nothing happened.

Still don’t have overdrive for whatever reason, though.

 

I meant to ask, could the IPC sensor cause all of this? I’d hate to have to replace it, because mine is on the back of the engine (lucky me...LOL), but if I have to, I will.

Again, no codes are being thrown, though, so I’m not sure what it could be.

 

Could be? Not as good with diesels as I am with gas. But I know that gas is controlled by the ECU that regulates the fuel injectors that controls speed & I believe that diesels are controlled
by the diesel pump? This is why I believe you get diesel run away? So if you have a faulty sensor then yes I would try and look into trouble shooting that first. I would try getting it off Rockauto first as they usually have the best prices.

 

Diesels are also controlled by the computer, just like gas engines.

 

I am continually amazed at the expertise you bring to this forum. Thank you for putting up with the posters that don’t listen to your advice, The ones that couldn’t understand a transmission if it bit them, and the mechanically clueless that should not own a truck. Your patience and knowledge is invaluable.

Kevin, driving a 2000 Excursion that may need your help some day.