I have a 1997 Ford F150
4x4 Off Road Package
E4OD Automatic Transmission
5.4L V8
90,000 miles
Transmission fluid is pink, no bad smell to it. (This is from the dipstick)


Symptoms:
-Hard 1-2 shift
-Shutters slightly 3-4 shift
-Has “slipped” twice (But I have not noticed if the Overdrive light flashed)
-The downshift seems to take too long, meaning, when I want to downshift, I step on the gas but it seems like I have to push down on the gas a lot to get it to drop a gear. Maybe that is normal, I’m not sure but it doesn’t “feel” right.


The hard 1-2 shift does not happen all the time. Sometimes the 1-2 shift is nice and smooth, sometimes it is just a little harsh, and other times it is a solid hard shift. It does not matter if I am going up a hill or down a hill. It does not matter if I am turning or going straight. It does not matter if I am going slow or fast. It does not matter if the truck is cold or warm. The hard shift will happen at any of these times or it will not happen at all. Sometime it will happen during the 2-3 shift also but that is rare.

The slipping has only happened to me 2 times in the past year. The first time I was following someone and I wanted to pass them. I was going down a hill and I stepped on the gas hard. Next thing I know the tach is flying up but I’m not going any faster. I let off the gas and everything was fine after that. That time was during the summer months, nothing out of the ordinary as far as weather or temperatures. The second time was a week or two ago, maybe 40 degrees out, slightly wet roads, nothing bad. I was doing a rolling stop through a stop sign and turning left up a slight incline, as I accelerated the slipping happened and I let off the gas. (It was not the tires spinning on the wet road, it was definitely the transmission) That was the end of that, all was fine after that. Both times I did not notice if the overdrive light was flashing on the stalk but I wasn’t looking for it.

The shutter happens often enough that I don’t even notice it. At the same time, it is very light, nothing severe.

I have not changed the transmission fluid or filter, I am assuming it is the original that came from the factory.

I have done a search on this board for this problem but I am posting this to see if there are any new answers. I am willing to go out and buy a TPS but I want to know for sure that it is going to fix the problem. I am willing to change the fluid and filter if that will fix the problem, I just want it fixed without spending time and money on something that isn’t going to fix it. I’m sure you all get the idea.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Get the computer codes before you start changing parts.

It is sounding to me like the pressure regulator solenoid is either bad or is getting confused signals. Anything electrical could cause that, from a loose or corroded connector to a failed sensor. I am not a big fan of the E4OD. They supposedly "fixed" the problems by '95 but then you see posts like this one for a '97.

Jim

 

Have you changed the fluid lately? It seems that they like to be changed every 30,000 miles or so.
Jimmy

 

I replaced the Transmission Range Sensor, no change in problems. I did not clean the contacts on the wiring harness though, I did not have anything to clean them with at the time.

I replaced the Throttle Position Sensor, no change, still having problems with slipping and hard shifting.

The slipping is starting to happen a lot though. This was before any of the sensors where changed. I tried to pull the codes but nothing showed, at no time did the check engine light or the OD light flash. I have a friend that has one of the computer readers, I don't know how good it is.

I have not changed the transmission fluid or filter yet, that is going to happen soon.

The hard shift I can almost make happen or not happen, depending on the RPM and the amount of throttle given.

The slipping I haven't pinpointed yet, it seems like when there is a hard shift then the slipping may happen, I'm not sure though.

 

Check this web site under the TSB link. It might cost a couple dollars but if you find a factory bulletin that deals with your problem it could be well worth it.

 

I know this is an old thread but I am new, and this is exactly what my 91 F150/302ci/e4od/4x4/90,000miles/ is doing.

* I had my transmission repalced about 3,000 miles ago because of soem internal problems it had. I had it replaced after a month of searching with a transmission that had 38,000 miles on it and was warranty'd for 3000/3 months.

Just as the warranty died out, It started shifting hard and from a stop light will slip real bad. I noticed if I drop it down into the low gear it doesnt take off as slow though.

Changed the filter,gasket and fluid (Valvoline MaxLife Mercon-Dexron III ATF fluid) and let it warm up. Haynes manual said add 3 qts/ I added 4.5. (Whats supposed to go in?) It was showing up on the dipstick (1 side of it) at 4.5. Drovbe it maybe 10 miles, slowed it downa dn brought it to a stop. Went to take off...SLIPPING!

Any ideas? :-(

 

I also noticed that underneath the truck there is what appears to be a plug missing from the area right in front of the transmission pan towards the engine, and behind the rear or the engine. I don't know what this is.... Can anybody help me and is this plug (or whatever goes there besides a hole into it) needed? I can email pics if needed..... Thanks! -jake

 

My transmission finally tore itself apart. I changed the filter and the fluid that came out when I dropped the pan. A month after changing the filter and fluid the shifting became harder and harder and then there was a loud squeeling noise. I was able to get home before it died but then on the way to the shop to have it replaced the thing went. The torque converter lost some of it's veins inside and the fluid was filled with metal particles. It was a mess but that was a year ago. So in the end, my fix was to change the tranny.

 

I had the same problem on my 95 250 with my e 40d but i got stuck in the middle of a 4 way intersection with a bunch of people blowing there horns at me it wasnt pretty.got a tow home went to the junk yard the next day got a used one put it in that was 2 years ago cost me 400 not bad.I dont like tranny shops they charge to much.but anyway good luck with your truck.

 

Without seeing it my guess would be the access hole to the torque converter drain plug. It is usually on the bottom of the bell housing and maybe as big as a pack of cigarettes. Normally a flat rubber plug fits in there and it keeps dirt and water from getting up into the bellhousing.

You remove this plug to get to the drain plug on the converter so you can change more of the fluid than just dropping the pan.

I would get a new plug or at least duct tape it really good. I am not sure if duct tape is a good idea tho since if it gets loose I wonder if it will get sucked up and wrap itself around the shaft or get into the starter and ring gears.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Alright, I will have it checked out by a shop (UGHHH! haha). Is it bad that the Drain Plug on the bellhousing is missing (does it hold essential fluids in?) and could this be any cause of my problem?

I spent $1400 w/ labor to get my 38k miles e4od put in.... Is the work hard to do yourself if I found one? Thanks!

 

The drain plug keeps dirt and water out of the bellhousing. You might get away with it or you might get a bunch of junk up there. The dirt and water would cause corrosion and I would guess wear on the starter gears and maybe get some contamination past the seals. Just get a new plug. Dirt and water do not belong inside the bellhousing.

Removing and replacing a tranny can be easy or hard. I do not know specifically on your model.

But in general the tough spots are , making sure BEFORE YOU START, that you can get a wrench on ALL THE BOLTS of the bellhousing and mounts. etc. Nothing like getting all the bolts except one off and then discovering that the tranny has slipped a little and now you cannot get the rest of the bolts back into place, doh.

Rent a tranny jack. You do not want to manhandle a tranny while lying on your back.

Some cars you have to remove the tranny by pulling the engine. Others you can just unbolt and drop it out the back. I think most trucks drop out the back.

Keep an eye on all the connections and linkages so you know what to hook back up.

I would drain the tranny and converter before dropping it, just because. Probably not important other than a little extra weight.

Good Luck, like I said, some are hard to remove, others just drop out once you remove the bellhousing bolts and mounts.

Jim Henderson

 

For future reference if anyone else has this problem...... Change the fluid and filter and keep it changed regularly with factory recommended fluid or Mobil 1 synthetic. If mechanically inclined, pull the valve body, disassemble and clean thoroughly. Check the trans wiring harness for any cut, broken, melted or corroded wires. Check the harness connector plug at the passenger rear corner of the trans (above the pan behind a small heat shield (2 bolts) ) for corroded terminals in the plug and on the trans. Try these things separately or together. If nothing changes, try replacing the solenoid pack ($200-$300), located inside the pan next to the valve body. If the trans has been well maintained, most of the time, the problem is electrical. Good luck. ---Mike---

 

it sounds like you need a new clutch pak