If you're given a bid of 900 bucks for an overhaul, run. A decent overhaul should be around 1500. If you want a bulletproof one, send it down to Texas to Brians Truck shop, cost is around 3800 I think...

 

The last thing I would do is spend big money for a tranny overhaul. Start troubleshooting, and try to fix the problems that are easiest and CHEAPEST first. Your tranny may be bad, but there are other things that cost 50 bucks to change that can improve your transmission performance.
There could be many reasons why the truck isn't working right, if the truck is starting everyday and running down the road then you have time to learn what is wrong. DON'T GIVE BIG BUCKS AWAY YET! I would hate to hear that you broke down on the interstate after spending 1100 dollars for a new tranny.

Tranny ID...I believe the E4OD is the only tranny that comes with an overdrive on/off button on the end of your manual shifter column, this is the lever you use to select P R N D 1 2.

Most older F150's ( i.e.90 to 95) have seen some hard work at this point, there are many systems on the drive train to check. The engine and transmission act as a team, and they are coached by the EECIV computer system to work together. If any sensors start falling out of spec, because the sensor is bad or some other condition is causing a failure, then the computer has trouble managing RPM's and shifting.

As already suggested, I would pull the diagnostic codes.
I would get a Chiltons or Haynes manual, I personally use Haynes.
You need an analog multimeter, you need a vacuum gauge/pump tool. That is $30 plus $30 plus $20, 80 bucks for all three items. With these three things, you can do most of the same checks a qualified tech would perform

There are a dozen common problems we could work on before we start unbolting trannies. You might need to clean the intake manifold, carbon build-up can really hurt your performance. Vacuum leaks are a problem with these trucks. There a few sensors that commonly fail, and need replacement or servicing. The IAC is a common problem, it can cause some big problems, it gets clogged with carbon, it can be easily cleaned. The MLPS (manual lever position sensor) on E4OD trannies is prone to fail and cause shifting problems.

First, you need make sure you correctly identify the systems in your truck and post them in your profile for FTE users to view. I haven't checked your profile, you need to know exactly what options/systems are installed in the truck and let us know. Then you need to learn, by sight, what every part under the hood is. There are sensors on the engine, tranny and rear-end. Even the speedometer has critical electronics in it that can cause major headaches. Educate yourself, until you have a basic understanding of what each part does. Then...and only then, can you make an intelligent decision about what to do. Believe me, most repair shops and Ford dealers will not give you a fair deal. They want to make money, and they want your money. Even if you don't like working on trucks, or are mechanically handicapped, it is good to know exactly how the system works so you don't get robbed.

 

Paragraph one above.

The 4R70W also have the overdrive on/off button on the end of your manual shifter along with an LED indicator.

Paragraph two above.

The MLPS (manual lever position sensor) on E4OD transmissions has an upgrade sensor to fix this plug problem.

 

Thanks for the help..It's storming here right now, but as soon as I can get outside I'll get the VIN and the door JAM info...Meanwhile you can ponder this..Number 1, Check Engine light has not come on...Are there still codes present? 2d- The engine runs strong, as strong as a 5.0...It's seems sluggish, isn't that normal?


The truck is just throwing me a loop....I'll be back on and let you know I find..Thanks again for the time and effort in responding..

Ron

 

Do a complete fluid change, not just a 4 quart service.

 

I had the same problem with mine. $2300 later, a new rebuilt tranny shifts smooth as a cat's butt. A 900 dollar rebuild won't last as long as a complete overhaul.

 

No offense, but for 2300.00 it ought to..

 

Yeah, but that is the going price for a new tranny. I drive my truck out in west Texas where there are no repair shops for hundreds of miles. I will take every precaution to not be caught on the side of the road with a smoking tranny that won't shift. I say do it right the first time. To each their own, but skimping on mechanical aspects for the truck that you depend on for a livlihood is not my cup of tea. I will make up the difference with reliable performance and on-time service.

 

The cost of repairing a tranny is up for debate, if it is fixed right and working like it is supposed to that is great.
I would spend 3000 dollars to repair my 92 F150. It is better than buying a new truck and having a 600 dollar/month payments for 4 years.

 

Absolutely. The weak link to these old trucks is the tranny. Everything else is tougher than nails. The first tranny lasted for 100K, now if I can get another 100K from the second tranny I'll be satisfied.

 

I own a 94 F150 S/C with the 4R70W trans. Are you sure the trans shop replaced the sensor? It's easy for you to see. Could've changed it yourself too probably. Look where the shifter cable connects to the trans. The sensor there is the MLPS. make sure it looks new. When my MLPS was bad all it did was cause the trans to come out of gear whenever it wanted.

Other than that, have the fluid changed. Mine will chirp second gear most of the time. Just started doing it one day, don't know why. Fluid was changed, no junk in the pan, etc..... No codes, just a hard 1-2 shift.

 

I have a 1996 f250 with an e4od. Since i bought it has always gone through the gears nice and smooth. Then all of a sudden it would shift very hard with a bang from 1st into second. Took it for another ride and it was shifting very hard through all the gears. I did what i believe you should always do first drop the pan and change the filter and fluid make sure you use the correct fluid. also if you can drain the torq converter. It didnt help, the shifting was so bad i thought for sure i was ready for a rebuild. Before taking it to a shop i decided to change some tranny related sensors. The fist one i tried was the tps throttle position sensor. I took off the throttle body cleaned it and popped in a new tps sensor (32.00) took the truck for a ride around the block and it went through the gears smooth as butter. There are shops that would charge a couple grand for a new tranny when it was a 32.oo sensor. Change your tranny fluid and filter,Tps senser,vehicle speed sensor,and your mlps sensor with the updated wiring. Even if you need a rebuild its not a waist of money because if you get your tranny rebuilt youll have some new sensors for it. Good luck

 

Before buying any sensors, run your codes, because any bad sensor should give you a trouble code. If your tranny shifts hard, a transmission modulator, $20-$30 may be all you need.

 

Yea, I know they changed it..It's the cleanest thing under my truck.. I took a picture, but I'm not sure how to post it on this message....

 

The MLPS sensor isn't the only problem, The MLPS suffers from a lousey connector as well. When Ford sells you a new MLPS these days it comes with a new connector, the old style connector was not weathertight...BTW, I can't think of a better place to have a watertight connector than in a location such as the side of the tranny.
In essence, replacing the sensor is two steps. when you pop on a new MLPS and properly align it, the second step is to remove the old connector, and assemble the new connector onto the end of the wiring harness. I don't know the number of the TSB.. but the problem was identified in early 1995, hopefully Ford fixed all MLPS sensor and wiring problems after that.