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This is a 2004, E-150, 5.4L V8, only 57K miles, Automatic, but not sure exactly which transmission but this is more of a general transmission question:
last week I noticed the transmission was slipping a little going from first to second and second to third but ok at higher speeds. I checked the level after driving and it seemed low. I added one 24oz bottle of Lucas, and it seemed to help the problem at first. Yesterday I checked the level cold and it was over filled. Tried to drive it and it would not move forward in any gear, however the reverse gear worked and it would back up.
Could one 24oz bottle of Lucas have been enough to overfill it?
Why did it take a week for symptoms to show up- I was able to drive it fine a couple of times after putting the Lucas in, before yesterday morning?
Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone else? If I remove some of the excess fluid will that fix the problem?
Note: about 3 months ago I did drop the pan, did a full swap of Mercon V, and put in a new filter, and didn’t notice any bug metal chunks in the pan when it was off.
any advice and information would much appreciated!
Could one 24oz bottle of Lucas have been enough to overfill it?
Yes, it could. Checking the level cold is absolutely meaningless. You don't know if the level is right, overfilled, or low. The trans MUST be warmed up, engine idling in park to check the level. I know the dipstick shows a cold level, but it is wrong.
Originally Posted by Bluesbaloo
If I remove some of the excess fluid will that fix the problem?
No, it will not fix it.
In order to help at all, I need to know what transmission is in the truck. The data tag in the driver's door opening will tell the story. Under "TR" is either an "E" or a "U." E is 4R100, U is 4R70W.
In order to help at all, I need to know what transmission is in the truck. The data tag in the driver's door opening will tell the story. Under "TR" is either an "E" or a "U." E is 4R100, U is 4R70W.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, my knowledge of the 4R70W is pretty limited. I can tell you that there is NOTHING electronic that could prevent the forward gears from engaging. It can only be a mechanical failure. As to what failed, I dunno. I know the 4R100 and 5R110W much better than this trans.
I called a few different transmission shops and after describing the same as what I said above they all told me the exact same thing, and they didn’t need to know what kind of transmission it was, as a general principle:
overfilling won’t result in losing drive but keeping reverse, so even if I overfilled it, that isn’t the problem. Something must be broken inside with the drive gear so it needs to be taken out and repaired.
Disclaimer: I know nothing of the 4R70W transmission. no chance that the wrong filter is in it? in the 3 months since fluid change were you driving it often? Sorry for your trouble, transmission shops are the deep end of the pool for sure.
the middle part on this item broke on a ford Taurus transmission (front wheel drive probably doesn't translate at all but.)
when it broke it made a loud crack and then no forward gears only reverse. was possible to tear down the transmission and replace this without many other parts required (some factory updates were performed).
I was thinking maybe reverse is a direct connection that doesn't depend on fluid, is that a thing with automatic transmissions? Possibly related: Isn't there a default gear (2nd?) that works in a 4R100 if you disconnect the electronic connector from the trans to the truck? would that work with this transmission or because something is broken no forward gears can engage?
thank you for sharing your thinking process, my mind jumps around a LOT and my desire to help others responds before my logic board is warmed up, lol. I am really enjoying the forums for that reason, not just people with experience but people with organized thinking can streamline navigating these complex systems. respect to the OP, not trying to hijack the thread.
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