Suddenly shifts hard
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 226
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Suddenly shifts hard
My 95 F250 4X4 w/460 and E4OD with 70k miles went from shifting normally to shifting very hard yesterday. It hits extremely hard from 1st to 2nd, it feels like it got more of a shift kit than I would like, and it shifts noticeable hard going from 2nd to 3rd, not so bad from 3rd to 4th.
It started yesterday after I had taken my wife and daughter into the hills to find some snow. Went just fine there and back, but the next time I got into the truck to drive it, thump!
The only thing that I can say was different that I haven't done a hundred times before is that on one straight strech coming back down the mountain I passed a guy that tried to speed up when I came around. It was the second time he did it and the second time I just accelerated until I was past him. I maxed out at 75 but had wound it up to about 5000 RPM. I don't generally drive like that in my truck, but this joker was going under the speed limit everywhere else unless I was trying to get around him.
What could be going on in my tranny? I have not yet checked anything, wanted to get some opinions or personal experience with similar problems from you guys. Thanks, Brian
It started yesterday after I had taken my wife and daughter into the hills to find some snow. Went just fine there and back, but the next time I got into the truck to drive it, thump!
The only thing that I can say was different that I haven't done a hundred times before is that on one straight strech coming back down the mountain I passed a guy that tried to speed up when I came around. It was the second time he did it and the second time I just accelerated until I was past him. I maxed out at 75 but had wound it up to about 5000 RPM. I don't generally drive like that in my truck, but this joker was going under the speed limit everywhere else unless I was trying to get around him.
What could be going on in my tranny? I have not yet checked anything, wanted to get some opinions or personal experience with similar problems from you guys. Thanks, Brian
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
I am no transmission expert, but I would guess the pump is going bad. I have a car that hits hard into second. I was told that's what was happening. I don't have the money to fix it so I have been driving it that way for about six months. I don't know the life expectancy. With each vehicle it is probably different. Maybe try a fluid change and a filter. See if that does any good. Sea Foam makes a trans additive that is supposed to be pretty good. Put that in with the new fluid. good luck with it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
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Thanks for the response. On my old Bronco I installed a Summit external trans filter, I put it inline between the trans and the cooler, has anyone else run one of these? Are they worth the $30 to get or do the trannies run clean enough with the screen filters. I was considering getting a deeper pan, a filter and a temp guage, but I may have to save my money for a rebuild. I've been thinking about switching to a synthetic trans fluid, what's the best way to get ALL of the old fluid out of an auto trans?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
brian, go to the trans section of our tech articles. There is one about changing fluid in an E40D. I think the synthetic is a good idea and the temp gauge. I am doing the same myself.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
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I finally got into it and checked the tranny fluid, I can't do it at home because I have such a steep driveway, and found it to be a quart and a half low. I checked it a few months ago and it was fine, there are no visible leaks. I am wondering now if I have burned something because it still shifts real hard, especially from first to second. The fluid didn't smell burned, but it didn't smell new either. I am going to do a fluid change real soon, but I'm wondering if it will be worth doing before I have it looked at since I may be doing that real soon too.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
If you are going to have it looked at, just fill it up. Why spend more than you have to. Good luck with it.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
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Now I'm confused. I drove it about 5 miles after I filled it up and it still shifted hard. I parked it at work for 8 hours, I get in to drive it home, and it's as smooth as it's ever been. Should I pay to have someone look at it and tell me that it's fine, or should I just thank my lucky stars that it worked itself out and change the fluid as planned? I'm leaning towards the latter. Thanks for any opinions... Brian
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
I have a 96 f350 that does the same thing.It shifts hard for a few days,then it's fine for a few days.This has been happening for about 4 months now.My truck has 132k on it so I suspect a rebuild is comming real soon.Some people tell me you only get around 120k out of these trannys.
I know this doesn't really help you at all,just letting you know that your not the only one with this problem..
I know this doesn't really help you at all,just letting you know that your not the only one with this problem..
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 22
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From: Dimondale, MI
E4od
I've got a 95 f350 with this problem. The thing is, the previous owner had the tranny rebuilt by a reputable shop 20,000 miles ago. They replaced the converter too. I brought the truck to my tranny shop and he changed the fluid and the solenoid pack. It still does it. It fluctuates day by day. I think its some sensor with an intermittent problem.
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Suddenly shifts hard
I have a '93 F250 w/460, E4OD, 4WD andReg cab. Some months ago it started shifting hard (esp 1/2 shift) and it would start and run smoothly, but was down on power. Gregory Auto Service is next door to me (great guys) and Kevin recommended I check for a PIP signal from the distributor. A quick check was to check timing WITHOUT removing the Spout plug. I was lucky. When the motor was revved or at idle, the timing did not change. No spout signal, which he says puts the tranny control and engine control in limp home mode. Started wiggling wires from dist to spout plug to computer plug at firewall. Bingo. Idle picked up when a certain wire was wiggled. Removed pos battery post, removed computer connector at computer, cleaned connectors with contact cleaner and lubed with di-electric grease. Replaced connector and battery cable and has run fine since. Hope this helps.
Senior User
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Originally Posted by brian_06328
The only thing that I can say was different that I haven't done a hundred times before is that on one straight strech coming back down the mountain I passed a guy that tried to speed up when I came around. It was the second time he did it and the second time I just accelerated until I was past him. I maxed out at 75 but had wound it up to about 5000 RPM. I don't generally drive like that in my truck, but this joker was going under the speed limit everywhere else unless I was trying to get around him.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 1,423
From: CA
Same Exact Thing Was Happening To Me. Trans Had A Code That Read "excessive Torque Converter Slippage." I Never Had The Problem Until One Day, Like Brian, I Was Driving Fast And Passing. I Never Fixed It And It Quit The Shifting On It's Own. I'm Sure It Would Do It Again If I Drove It Hard.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
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Bad Company, I don't think it was you, I see that you are from Washington and this was in Oregon and the guy had Oregon plates. He also looked to be in his mid sixties according to my wife.
Funny thing is that the tranny has not had any trouble shifting at all since I posted almost two weeks ago that the hard shifting had stopped. Also, I drove it on a few hundred mile trip all highway and unloaded on the 15th, got 12 mpg on that trip. It seems that if I were having a lot of slippage in there, the mileage would be worse. (I'm happy with 12 because with my usual in town driving I get 7 or 8)
Funny thing is that the tranny has not had any trouble shifting at all since I posted almost two weeks ago that the hard shifting had stopped. Also, I drove it on a few hundred mile trip all highway and unloaded on the 15th, got 12 mpg on that trip. It seems that if I were having a lot of slippage in there, the mileage would be worse. (I'm happy with 12 because with my usual in town driving I get 7 or 8)
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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[QUOTE=brian_06328]Bad Company, I don't think it was you, I see that you are from Washington and this was in Oregon and the guy had Oregon plates. He also looked to be in his mid sixties according to my wife.QUOTE]
Just taking a shot at some humor. I've had idiots do the same thing to me....wait till I try to pass and then they apply the accelorator. They put their life and more importantly, your life, in danger just for spite. Sorry you had to experience that.
Just taking a shot at some humor. I've had idiots do the same thing to me....wait till I try to pass and then they apply the accelorator. They put their life and more importantly, your life, in danger just for spite. Sorry you had to experience that.