I have had some transmission slipping since I had my fluid changed a couple of years ago. I don't use the truck that often (gas prices). It seemed that the fluid was too full and removing a little seemed to resolve the problem. This happened several times. From what I've read, I would guess it's either the fluid being churned or air getting into the system.

But then, I brought it to the shop to have the fluid and filter replaced. The mechanic there thought it could be due to a problem in the steering wheel that was sending erroneous signals to the computer. The steering wheel was rebuilt after the truck was stolen a few years ago. It often has to be turned or jiggled to get the truck to start. It's a nuisance, but, by itself, no more than that.

Has anyone ever heard of a signal problem to the computer causing transmission slippage? This is a '94 F150, 5.8 liter.

Hope someone might be able to clear this up for me.

 

i know this won't answer your question but i think i am having a similar problem, tranny seems to slip between 2 and 3 (c6) after warming up how did you remove the fluid?, just unbolt part of pan and let some drain out? how much should i remove? sorry i didn't answer your question, but i'll ask around. thanks

 

This makes me curious...I have a 94 F150, 5.8L w/ E40D.

I just had the Tranny completely rebuilt about 6 months ago, because my OD had stopped working properly. For some reason, whenever the tranny slipped in or out at highway speed, it threw a code for a bad O2 sensor. After almost 3 grand (I had it upgraded as best I could at the time) it still seems to slip gears, but the tranny shop claims its my engine being too weak. I'm convinced thats wrong, but am not sure how to test it.

Anyway, neither I nor the shop could figure out why my tranny slipping threw an O2 sensor code. I replaced the O2 sensor twice before fixing the tranny, but not after, and the codes only stopped after replacing the tranny.

So I don't have an answer for you, but I am really curious to find out.

Which Tranny do you have?

 

I don’t know what tranny it is – how would I check? I have a 5.8L, 8 cylinder, with the tow package, separate tranny cooler.

I lowered the fluid level with a very long tube inserted, careful not to let the level reach my mouth (if the coolant is poisonous to birds, it probably isn’t good for me) – not the best way, for sure. I now wonder if it was churning or air was getting in. The men at the shop said they’d never heard of people having trouble with the wrong fluid being put in, but from what I’ve read, fluids are designed for friction and they can cause trouble. I’m anxious to see how it does now that the fluid and filter are changed (although I didn’t have the power flush for the full change, so only 50% or so of the fluid is changed – maybe a little more with the filter.)

PyroBob – your problem with OD sounds like it could be related, in a way to mine. I have, as I guess you do, the button on the shift colum to take the vehicle out of OD – it must send a signal to the computer, and those signals can confuse the computer. If I am getting intermittent mixed signals to the computer from a miswiring in the steering column, I could be getting the slippage. I’m taking for a drive today, pulling a heavy trailer. If it still slips, I’ll probably try the shop to let them tear into my steering column.

 

Kcora You have an E4OD. I doubt your steering column has anything to do with your tranny slippin. I'm guessing the shop is feedin you a line.

 

if your pullin a heavy trailer, your not doin it in over drive are you? if you are, that could be the problem, the fluid is over heating, and causeing the slip. when they changed the fluid, did they find any metal in the pan?

 

Once I was on the 22 fwy in (s***ty) southern california. Some dude was playing road rage with me and I has to 'get the hell out of d&&&e city'. As soon as I stepped on the gas I felt slipping. I was pissed at the thought of a new tranny but turns out it was a faulty set of spark plug wires. It felt exactly like slipping (a brief loss of power).

Anyway, that is my $0.02.

Joe

 

you could also check your timin, just a thought, but if the dizzy is loose, it could move on its own, and change the load of the engine. when it slips, do the rpms raise, and the truck doenst speed up, or do it all slow down?

 

timing is automatically controlled, from what I am told.

I knew that it should have got out of there faster with the supercharger, I don't remember who told me to check the wires but as soon as I replaced them, life was FAST and good

 

lol, yea i know what ya mean. yes it is, the advance anyway, but you still set the initial timing at the dizzy.

 

im having same type of problem the rpm go up and truck seems to jump is it the tranny i checked tranny fluid it is abit high need to get rid of some fluid

 

if someone over filled it, the either siphon it out the tube, or what i did was p
pull the cooler line, and crank it.

 

Handyman – Thanks for the info on the tranny type being E4OD. When they changed the fluid, they said it looked ok – not burnt, and no metal shavings. Also changed the filter.

I just got back from pulling a trailer full of furniture about 125 miles, then back again empty – no slipping. Chrono4 – I leave the OD on unless I’m going up a hill because of the gas mileage. It doesn’t seem to slip just being on the highway. Could just the pulling without taking it out of overdrive cause it to overheat and churn? I didn’t think of that. When it did slip, the rpm would go up and the transmission just wouldn’t engage. Then it would catch and be fine.

There is an intermittent short in my steering column, though: sometimes it doesn’t start without jiggling the steering wheel. Also, the horn and cruise control sometimes work (did on the way out pulling the trailer, although I didn’t use the cruise then), sometimes don’t work – didn’t on the way back. I need to get it checked – it’s a nuisance not to know if the cruise or horn are going to work.

Thanks everyone for the info and help!

 

I had a similar issue, turned out to be the neutral saftey switch mounted on the transmission where the linkage connects (driver side - about 5 min to replace). My truck sometimes wouldn't start unless I jiggled the steering wheel and/or the shifter. Truns out, all that movement made its way down to the switch and allowed the vehicle to start. If you get in a pinch (as I did a few times) you can start the vehicle by taking a wrench and touching the two bolts on the voltage regulator behind the battery.

 

Hi Folks,
great thread,I don't have a cure either,but have simular problems 94 150 302 4x4 auto.every now and then it feels like the trany jumped out of gear and then re-engages with a bang,steering colum was fixed due to a thief trying to punch the ignition switch (appears like?) asked the mechanic while doing some engine work,he thought that some switch/sensor may be acting up on the trany.fluid was good had a tranny flush last year ,mechanic said it was "sweet" found out that ment good