Hello, this is my first time posting on the site.

I have a 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3. It has roughly 193,000 miles. Ever since I bought it (private party), I noticed the transmission shifted a little funny. Not in a slipping way, but as the shift points were awkward.

My first issue was when towing a skid loader for work. After about 50 minutes of driving, the transmission gauge on the dash starting climbing towards the yellow so I shut the truck off and waited for it to cool and limped it home.

Later that day driving home unloaded, the same thing happened again. Parked, let it cool, took it home.

I had the fluid flushed and filter changed and there was very very minimal metal, was told it had the “normal” amount for its age.

Drove it on the highway, 1 hour in, needle started climbing AGAIN.

Cleared codes and rescanned and 2 particular codes keep coming back, P074 & P1744.

Any thoughts?

ALSO! This truck had a bully dog tuner/programmer on it by the previous owner. He has it parked for a year and a half as he had no need for it. His son just took the tuner out to reuse. Truck was never flashed back to stock. Not sure if it correlates or not. I appreciate any help! I have a 6.0 cooler that will be going into it sometime shortly. But not sure why the codes keep re-appearing

Edit: I don’t know why it didn’t type the other number, but the other code is P0743

 

Welcome to FTE!

The P1744 shows as torque converter not functioning, solenoid/hydraulic/mechanical failure. Sounds bad but I don't have experience with that, sorry to say.

P074 does not compute, it's missing a digit.

The Bully dog chip had the tune on it, removing it leaves the OEM tune on the PCM. So no worries there.

The 6.0 trans cooler is a solid upgrade, but do -not- install it until after the problem is resolved. If the trans is grinding up inside the debris will get stuck inside the cooler rendering it useless.

Other more knowledgeable folks will be along.

 

There are two P074* DTCs possible for your 2002. These along with your P1744 point to a problem with the wiring going to your TCC or the solenoid itself.

 

That is absolutely the wrong thing to do. NEVER shut the engine off with an overheated trans, unless it is also dumping all of the fluid. If fluid isn't pouring out of the trans put it in park or neutral and idle or fast idle to cool the trans. If you shut it off hot the very hot parts inside the trans will literally cook the transmission from the inside out, causing additional damage.

P1744 mean the torque converter clutch isn't working. If the other code is P0743, that means there is an electrical fault causing the converter to not lock. That will also cause P1744 to set.

 

I can’t believe when I read this over I didn’t see that I forgot a digit. Yes, it’s P0743. What’s your opinion? I don’t know anything about transmission so I won’t touch it. Do I take it to the Ford dealer directly? Or take it to any high rated transmission shop?

 

It's almost certainly a wiring issue. Any independent shop that's good at electrical issues would be ideal.

 

Would it be the wire going into the TCC solenoid itself? My best friend owns a fabrication shop where he builds custom suspensions for show trucks. He’s amazing at wiring so I’m hoping it’s something he’d do for me if bought the parts needed.

Also, my 7.3 sat in a field for 2 years from the PO. Wouldn’t be surprised if a field mouse didn’t have a nice dinner on one of the wires

 

Yes, it would.