Hello all. I have a 1995 F-150, 2 wheel drive, extended cab pickup. It has the 5.0 liter / 302 cid engine, the 4R70W / AOD-E transmission, and the 8.8 inch rearend with a 3.31 gear ratio and an open differential. When I am driving on the interstate at my usual speed of about 75 with the cruise control on, and I encounter a steep enough hill to make the transmission shift out of overdrive (not saying much with the wimpy little 302), the transmission will not shift back into overdrive unless you go back down a hill. Of course I can accelerate a little bit and then back off and overdrive will engage, but it is kind of annoying. This is not a big deal, but I was just curious as to what may be causing this. I realize the 4R70W is an electronically controlled unit, and i am new to these type of transmissions, and I suspect it may just be programmed this way. I was wondering if some of you other forumites have noticed this, and if so, is this simply an idiosyncrasy of the 4R70W? I realize the 302 does not have much torque, but the transmission shouldn't act like this. Just seeing what you think.

 

It sounds more like a problem with the cruise control rather than the transmission .

 

I have the same problem with my 94 f150 4x4, except I experience this even when I am not using the cruise. I have asked this question before on this message board and nobody has been able to identify a cause or solution. I bought this truck used last year and didn't notice this during the test drive because the only highway testing was on a level stretch of road. So I don not know if this condition was there when it was new or it gradually got this way before I bought it. I am concerned the torque converter clutch is going to wear out because it seems to slip a lot when the converter locks up once I reach a level road. If you ever hear of a cure please post it here.

 

I have a 94..302..4x4..4R70W tranny..3.31 gearing and I have been trying to resolve the same problem for years. First I tryed some of the claimed bolt-on hp to the motor (K & N filter charger, Cat-back, etc.)with little improvement. One year ago I installed a Superchips chip with again little improvement. This week I had the local Ford dealer pull up the TSB's for my pick-up. They seemed to be very willing to do this since I will have to pay for any work that is done. After looking though the TSB's one stuck out that I am planning to go back and see if I can get more info about. It is 95-05-15 and the title is "TRANSMISSION-AODE/4R70W-INTERMITTENT LOSS OF TORQUE DURING OR AFTER 3 TO 4 UPSHIFT". I will try to let you know if it is anything that will possibly fix the problem.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-Jan-01 AT 03:57 PM (EST)[/font][p] Try tightening the bolts that hold the valve body to the transmission. I had a problem with my Father's '95 it kept shuddering every time it went into overdrive and erratic shifting. The trans. mechanic said he has done alot of these fixes on this Ford OD tranny. The pressurized fluid needed to actuate the up & down shifting is partially lost due to valve body to transmission clearance. It has been 50,000 miles since "fix" and no more problems. I hope this helps in any way.

Todd
BB79RANCH

 

I would definitely like to see a soluiton to that TSB deadeye posted. I have that exact problem with my truck and it's not the same tranny as the one you guys are talking about.

'92 F150 XL 4x4, 5.0L AOD, Headers, K&N Air Filter, 3.55 Gears, 31x10.5x15 Tires.

 

Hi Guys!
I have a similar problem with the tranny in my '90 F150 5.0. But, before I get into that, how do I translate the VIN code to see what trannny I've got?
Thanks!

Mazmax

 

Trans code U=4R70W, E=E4OD..
How tight should the valve body bolts be? I have a 96 with the 4R70W, and I am going to try a shift kit from Baumann Engineering, and also a new pressure regulator,bypass clutch control valve. Hopefully this will help out.
Rich

 

I also considered a Baumann shift kit, but I was planning to install it after the weather warms up. If you do install it please let me know how it works.

 

I got a copy of Ford Article No. 95-5-15 yesterday. It is nine pages long containing diagnostic procedure, road test procedure, reference actions, etc. I will list some of the reference actions. They come from different areas of the article and the first one is mentioned more then once.

- Check the shift solenoid assembly part number as shown in Figure 4. If the shift solenoid part number IS NOT F5AP-7G484-AA, AB or AC, then the concern is most likely caused by shift solenoid hydraulic circuit leak. Replace shift solenoid with service part F5AZ-7G484-A.

- If the shift solenoid part number IS F5AP-7G484-AA, AB or AC, then replace the main control assembly with the appropriate service part. Refer to Figure 6.

- If the shift solenoid part number IS F5AP-7G484-AA, AB or AC, then the concern is probably due to a blocked overdrive servo bleed orifice. Inspect the 0.020’ (0.51mm) bleed hole in the overdrive service case bore. Unblock the hole by blowing short bursts of air through the hole (Figure 5).

This is just highlights from the article. Anyone with the AODE/4R70W transmission should go to a Ford Dealer and ask them to print out a copy for you.
Hope this helps. Deadeye

 

I noticed that the replies to this question eventually came around to the trans shudder problem. My '96 F150 started it at 58000 mi. I asked the service guys at my local dealer and got the comment that Ford should have recalled the trans in '96. I took the logical approach and simply drained the trans and torque converter and replaced the fluid with Aamco anti-shudder fluid from the parts store. I used a new filter and gasket, of course.
This seemed to completely solve the problem, although since then I have heard that this is a temp fix. I will definitely attempt to tighten the valve body bolts next time. That makes good sense. Thanks.

 

Has anybody used this TRANSGO Shift Kit?

The price is right at $100.80. I figure since I will have the pan off I might as well do as much as I can. Deadeye

 

 

I have a 95 4x4 with the 4R70W and I also am having the shuddering problem. I dont know much about transmissions so I hope you guys can answer my questions. I assumed I have to change the fluid because the fluid on the dipstick is dirty looking. So i bought a Filter and a gasket for the pan, what kind of fluid should I buy? Haw many quarts will I need? I have heard that the tanny holds 15 quarts but the pan will only have 5 quarts in it. When I drop the pan, will that drain the torque converter too, or is there a separate drain? Also, where will i find these valve body bolts that need to be tightened to solve the problem, is there a torque rating for these bolts? If you guys can answer these questions and this problem can go away I will be a very happy man.
-John

 

URGENT... I just found out from Ford, that a lot of people are putting in the new Mercon V fluid, which has been causing all sorts of shuddering problems on the upshifts, so they recommend to stay with the mercon III.