Transmission electrical interference
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Transmission electrical interference
1999 Ford Ranger Automatic 4cyl has erratic engine shifting.
Have replaced Speed Sensor and PCM.
Ford Dealer has talked with Ford Technical Rep. and traced down complete wiring harness. Ford says there is an electrical interference problem. Dealer says they will just have to start replacing electrical components (plug wires, etc.) until they find it, but they haven't a clue where to start. Any suggestions. It sounds like the Service Dept. is ready to give up.
Terry
Have replaced Speed Sensor and PCM.
Ford Dealer has talked with Ford Technical Rep. and traced down complete wiring harness. Ford says there is an electrical interference problem. Dealer says they will just have to start replacing electrical components (plug wires, etc.) until they find it, but they haven't a clue where to start. Any suggestions. It sounds like the Service Dept. is ready to give up.
Terry
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
You might ask around to see if one of your buddies knows of a good automotive electrical shop in the area. In my opinion most dealers use the problem diagnosis technique of "remove and replace whatever might be related to the problem". This is an expensive and timeconsuming technique.
Almost every time I have been to a dealer, the repair cost me double what it should have and involved replacement of far more than the actual problem. For example I needed a new exhaust manifold flange welded into place. A muffler shop told me they would cut the old one off and weld a new one on for $80. But the shop said they thought it might be covered under emissions warranty and recommended I take it to a dealer. The dealer did not find an emissions problem but they did replace the entire Y pipe instead of cut and weld to the tune of $600. Stupid me should have just said wait a minute and taken it back to the muffler shop.
Dealers also usually don't specialize in those nagging problems like electrical issues. Find a specialist they are more likely to narrow things down to one or two things rather than hit or miss til they find it.
Also you didn't describe what kind of electrical interference or how frequent. Is it intermittent? When does it happen? Do you hear any noise on the radio(AM)? has anyone looked at the signals to/from the tranny for noise on a scope? Answers to these questions might help us figure out more about what is going on.
Also a sometimes effective way to check for sparkplug wire problems is to start the engine ina dark space and leave all lights off. If you have bad wires you MIGHT see sparks and hears the spark snaps. A good SUN Scope can also show bad wires etc a good electrical shop would probably have one. I love those things, wish I coud afford one
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Almost every time I have been to a dealer, the repair cost me double what it should have and involved replacement of far more than the actual problem. For example I needed a new exhaust manifold flange welded into place. A muffler shop told me they would cut the old one off and weld a new one on for $80. But the shop said they thought it might be covered under emissions warranty and recommended I take it to a dealer. The dealer did not find an emissions problem but they did replace the entire Y pipe instead of cut and weld to the tune of $600. Stupid me should have just said wait a minute and taken it back to the muffler shop.
Dealers also usually don't specialize in those nagging problems like electrical issues. Find a specialist they are more likely to narrow things down to one or two things rather than hit or miss til they find it.
Also you didn't describe what kind of electrical interference or how frequent. Is it intermittent? When does it happen? Do you hear any noise on the radio(AM)? has anyone looked at the signals to/from the tranny for noise on a scope? Answers to these questions might help us figure out more about what is going on.
Also a sometimes effective way to check for sparkplug wire problems is to start the engine ina dark space and leave all lights off. If you have bad wires you MIGHT see sparks and hears the spark snaps. A good SUN Scope can also show bad wires etc a good electrical shop would probably have one. I love those things, wish I coud afford one
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KK560
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Mar 30, 2017 07:02 AM
Nathan511
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jan 28, 2017 12:36 PM
mb_01sc
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
21
May 16, 2016 06:19 PM
