My 1999 Ford E-350 van is slow to shift into second gear. It gets there eventually but takes it's sweet time.

Not a vehicle I drive that much so mostly sitting idle. I did try the Lucas Tranny fix and that seemed to help a bit.

Does suggest you take it for a long drive to work its way in and I have yet to do that.

Wondering if others have had this issue. Is it likely a full blown tranny rebuild or band tightening or ?

 

Only when cold or all the time?

Check fluid level at transmission operating temperature (not engine) and scan for fault codes.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 197K miles

 

The first time it did it, was last Summer, on a warm day. Have not used it much since then.

Will run it for awhile tomorrow.

Trouble I have with checking fluid is that long dip stick and the white probe at the end. By the time you get it out it is very hard to read.

There is an engine light on for code P0356 Ignition coil F malfunction which I assume means that coil is defective(?). I have a new Ford Motorcraft coil that just arrived to replace it tomorrow. That is the only code I see but my scanner is not that smart.

Thanks much. Will report back.

 

Let me know if you find a way to tighten the band. The only band in the trans isn't used for the 1-2 shift, and it doesn't have a way to tighten it.

Most transmission codes will not turn on the check engine light, so this means nothing.

Transmission codes WILL NOT show up on a simple reader. You must have the codes to fix this problem.

Get Forscan at www.forscan.org. It is a free download. You'll need an adapter to plug into the OBDII port, the Forscan page shows how to select one. I bought mine for about $30 from Amazon.

 

Simply use a Ford NGS to read the codes like the service manual says
Find one or have the dealer read the codes for you

These are for sale on Ebay at times

 

Hey thanks for the help.

 

If you have a bad coil you may have a performance problem and this can cause a delayed shift. I have witnessed this with more than one of my 7.3 4r100. I didn’t have a bad coil obviously but I had a problem that affected performance. Mark could probably explain why this happens. He also suggested using forscan for codes and I agree it’s easy, cheap and a powerful scan tool.

After making sure my 99 e350 was running well I ended up installing a aftermarket valve body and trans go plate. It gave me quicker less delayed shifts.

 

That happens because people drive with a certain personal acceleration. They will unconsciously press the go pedal far enough to get the acceleration they are used to. If the engine has a power problem most people will just push the pedal further so that the vehicle accelerates at the rate they ar used to.
Since the pedal is pressed further, the shifts are later. The way that shift schedules are designed, the further you press the go pedal the shifts happen at higher and higher speeds.

 

Your theory makes good sense.

When I first experienced the issue last Summer it was most noticeable on a very steep hill going out of town. I had to turn around and come home to get another vehicle to make my trip. The van has sat since then. A bad coil causing, say, a 10% loss of power could be the issue and not something in the tranny.

Need to pick up a small ratchet today to get the various covers and hoses off to replace that first F coil. Then I should know more.

Appreciate the reply and the deduction.