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I am pretty sure my TECA/TCM is functional--no codes or flashing OD light, no harsh shifts--but knowing that there were some programming changes made for the 1994 TECA/TCM I was wondering if anybody had noticed an improvement after updating a functional but older TECA/TCM to the newer version? And also my truck had a turbo added and there is at least a different part number for turbo trucks than N/A trucks, but I think this difference has more to do with the fact that N/A trucks had an optional High Altitude TECA. The one I am looking at updating to is part number F4TZ-12B565-EA
I recently updated the one in my F250. It had the factory N/A spec. No. I didn't feel any difference..........but I also have a transgo tugger kit, so I'm not too surprised. I'm not sure if you could feel a difference or not without a shift kit.
From my maintenance records:
Updated 1994 TECA.7.3 Turbo Diesel F series all states all altitudes use #F4TZ-12B565-EA
Cardone 73-6104 Remanufactured Transmission Control Module
Worth it, if your truck is shifting as you like without problems?......... Probably not, but this might vary depending on which year TECA you have too? Maybe the older you go, the worse they were? Absolutely upgrade of course, for anyone who needs one.
What is absolutely 100% worth it, for all E4OD's though. Preferably the first one, but if not towing maxed out all the time, the second kit is great too! I used to have one in my F450, in the og trans. It felt just as good. Either are massive upgrades. These take the trans from hardly ever knowing when they shift/ shifting like mush, to very nice, solid (but not banging) crisp; manual gear shift type shifts. Totally transforms how the trans performs. Very heavy duty. This is how they should have came from the factory really.
Oh I know I should do the shift kit. As soon as I clone myself I think I'll have some free time. My "To Do" list seems to grow by two items every time I cross off one!
FYI. Letters from Ford and ATS regarding transmission computer update from back in the day. We waited until the updated computer was available before adding the ATS to our 1989 F350.
Interesting. I'm not surprised to read that though. Those factory shifts are total mush. I added shift kits before adding turbos. The only time I think I drove the F450 without one, was on the ride home from buying it and after having one shift correctly with a shift kit for a few years in the first truck, I forgot how bad it was. I bet they do slip without a shift kit with a turbo. They slip between shifts bad enough N/A. Though over a decade, I still remember that ride home and recalling I could hardly tell when the thing even shifted. Sometimes I just couldn't.
The '94+ TECA's probably help with electronic line pressure a bit, but nothings going to be as good as installing a Transgo kit. Even if you don't drop the trans and mod the pump, the main part only takes a couple hours with trans in truck. Messy, but enjoyable to do anyway.
Thanks for posting that. It makes more sense now why Banks included the TransCommand unit with their turbo kits. My truck is new to me but is on its third E4OD which is a Ford reman installed about 12 years ago but only has 55k on it. I'm thinking update the TECA and go with the simpler TransGo kit as dropping the trans just isn't in the cards right now, plus uninstall the TransCommand band-aid.
Yeah, the trans command is probably better than nothing. At least it boosts some line pressure, which helps, but yes, more of a band-aid than correction.
I bought a used E4OD that was reman by Ford too, in my F450. Unknown miles but it's been lasting years. Not bad for $200 or $250 I payed for it! haha I spent more on the transgo kit, new ATF and converter than the trans. It's got the delayed reverse issue when warm. I gotta get in there and correct that sometime.
I decided to throw some parts at the truck and ordered a new TECA/Trancmission Control Module/Unit for the E4OD. I purchased the F4TZ-12B565-EA, F-Series Turbo Diesel w/7.3 IDI and what a difference it makes. It's only been a couple days driving with it, and i"m sure fixing my timing helped as well, but the transmission now shifts the way I want it to. When I go WOT on a hill I get a nice downshift and the trans holds the gear for quite while as long as I keep my foot in it--with the old TECA/TCU I would get a downshift but then it would very quickly upshift despite the throttle position and the engine would lug which forced me to either manually downshift or slightly release the throttle and then go WOT to get another downshift. The truck is SOOOOOO much more pleasurable to drive with the new TECA/TCU. My code reader never gave me any codes that would indicate a problem, the old unit didn't appear to have suffered any water damage, but it definitely was different. The PO of the truck did say he had a voltage regulator failure so I kind of wondered if maybe the TCU was affected, but maybe the original programming was crap compared to the updated version. Anyways, if you've checked everything else and you have an old TCU, mine was 1990, then maybe the updated programming will help make your E4OD shift better without popping for a $$$$ aftermarket controller.
Yeah, years back along, I remember someone saying those older TECA's were really poor. That sounds really bad. Both my trucks are '93 so I never had one that far back to know just how poor they were. These modern ones, there's nothing I would change, even if I could.
Yeah, years back along, I remember someone saying those older TECA's were really poor. That sounds really bad. Both my trucks are '93 so I never had one that far back to know just how poor they were. These modern ones, there's nothing I would change, even if I could.
"Really poor" doesn't do it justice. After tweaking and checking everything outside of the trans and still having crap performance I was starting to wonder if I had screwed up by getting an automatic and was wondering if I was going to have to start gathering components for a ZF swap. But I had read your threads regarding Log Truck and Chip Truck and I know how much weight you're dealing with so I had faith that something was still awry in my setup. Luckily RockAuto had a new/rebuilt controller for only $100+core.
So for anyone out there with an early E4OD controller it might be very worthwhile to replace it with an updated unit. Without a doubt this was the best $100 I've spent on the truck so far. Even if I had paid the much higher price that some places were charging I would still be happy, although with some places charging almost $500 I would probably just deal with the pain and buy one of the two $$$$$ aftermarket controllers and get the ability to adjust shift points and have multiple programs depending on usage.
