Overdrive off when raining
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
Overdrive off when raining
As the title says, my overdrive turns off when it begins to rain. More specifically heavy or really windy rain. If it's just a light rain there's no issues. It can vary between constantly being off and flipping on and off. This past weekend I took the plug out of the PCM and cleaned the connections and put dielectric on the connector to help water proof the PCM. This apparently didn't fix the issue. I tried to open the fuse box to check if it got wet but nothing wad wet. I did notice that the PCM relay was hot though. That tells me there's still a short somewhere but I don't know where to start looking.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,227
Likes: 149
From: Higginsville, MO
I would start with the plug going into the transmission and work my way back to the engine compartment from there. Chances are the water is getting in near the trans, it shouldn’t really be wet up under the hood by the fuse box.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,406
Likes: 2,894
From: Reed Point, MT
Are you sure it's coming out of 4th and going to 3rd and not just staying in 4th but releasing the torque converter clutch?
The screnario above can be a very simple brake light ground issue or as stupid as dirt buildup in the trailer connector becoming electrically conductive and shorting power between a couple pins and the trailer brake wire backfeeding through the brake controller.
If thr transmission is actually downshifting to 3rd, it will be something else entirely.
The screnario above can be a very simple brake light ground issue or as stupid as dirt buildup in the trailer connector becoming electrically conductive and shorting power between a couple pins and the trailer brake wire backfeeding through the brake controller.
If thr transmission is actually downshifting to 3rd, it will be something else entirely.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,266
Likes: 1,649
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
^ what Cleatus said, check the trailer connector.
Had the same issue with my 95. Somehow the connector got bent downwards and when I washed my truck the connector filled up with water causing the TC to release at random times. Maybe yours is doing the same thing.
Had the same issue with my 95. Somehow the connector got bent downwards and when I washed my truck the connector filled up with water causing the TC to release at random times. Maybe yours is doing the same thing.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
Are you sure it's coming out of 4th and going to 3rd and not just staying in 4th but releasing the torque converter clutch?
The screnario above can be a very simple brake light ground issue or as stupid as dirt buildup in the trailer connector becoming electrically conductive and shorting power between a couple pins and the trailer brake wire backfeeding through the brake controller.
If thr transmission is actually downshifting to 3rd, it will be something else entirely.
The screnario above can be a very simple brake light ground issue or as stupid as dirt buildup in the trailer connector becoming electrically conductive and shorting power between a couple pins and the trailer brake wire backfeeding through the brake controller.
If thr transmission is actually downshifting to 3rd, it will be something else entirely.
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
Where is the plug located on the transmission?
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 18
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I'm not 100% sure what TC means (I assume traction control but I don't think mine has that) but I'll still check out the plug next time it rains and see if it's filled.
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Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,695
Likes: 2,616
From: SE Florida
It is on the passenger's side of the trans. It is NOT the cause of losing fourth gear.
The wires that can turn on the OD OFF light and cause it to lose fourth gear are not in that connector. They are in the shifter handle and the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) connector. Somewhere between the PCM and the shifter you have a wire that is getting water into it and causing a short. It's probably not in the shifter handle unless the interior is getting drenched when it rains.
TC can mean traction control, transfer case, turbo charger, or in this case, torque converter.
The wires that can turn on the OD OFF light and cause it to lose fourth gear are not in that connector. They are in the shifter handle and the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) connector. Somewhere between the PCM and the shifter you have a wire that is getting water into it and causing a short. It's probably not in the shifter handle unless the interior is getting drenched when it rains.
TC can mean traction control, transfer case, turbo charger, or in this case, torque converter.
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Trailering
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
It is on the passenger's side of the trans. It is NOT the cause of losing fourth gear.
The wires that can turn on the OD OFF light and cause it to lose fourth gear are not in that connector. They are in the shifter handle and the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) connector. Somewhere between the PCM and the shifter you have a wire that is getting water into it and causing a short. It's probably not in the shifter handle unless the interior is getting drenched when it rains.
TC can mean traction control, transfer case, turbo charger, or in this case, torque converter.
The wires that can turn on the OD OFF light and cause it to lose fourth gear are not in that connector. They are in the shifter handle and the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) connector. Somewhere between the PCM and the shifter you have a wire that is getting water into it and causing a short. It's probably not in the shifter handle unless the interior is getting drenched when it rains.
TC can mean traction control, transfer case, turbo charger, or in this case, torque converter.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 518
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
In the meantime, you could scrounge around in the cab under the steering column to drivers side to see if you see any moisture/water anywhere.
I do not know if a leaking hydroboost unit would be able to leak on anything related...oops, I forgot what section I'm in. Not even sure if you have hydroboost
I do not know if a leaking hydroboost unit would be able to leak on anything related...oops, I forgot what section I'm in. Not even sure if you have hydroboost
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