The transmission shop that serviced mine had some comments about the e4od. He said that most people having trouble with them are really experiencing computer problems. Think you already figured this out. After checking connects at tranny and computer, he suggested testing the TPS. Said this is most common spot in his experience.

 

Hey Ford Guys:

Don't that computer control a LOT more than just the trans.? Without a ground, the computer is dead, along with everything else it controls.

Tom
PS: I'm fighting a year-long tranny shifting problem in my '94 F-150 XLT 5.8L and have looked at the computer as a possible culprit but ruled it out for now. Maybe, it's the software?

 

It sure does. It's the one that keeps tabs on all of the sensors and throws codes, isn't it..? I got a wiring diagram from fredric. It shows multiple grounds for various different groupings of sensors. Very complex... I'll see if I can find these grounds over easter break and see if the problem persists.

Ryan

 

Lets GO Irish... Check your TPS.. My trans would slip into neutral. I also replaced the VSS and MLPS. So it turned out to be my TPS...

 

I actually have no idea where the throttle position sensor is. This would be a lot easier if I had a haynes or chilton...

Ryan

 

It's mounted underneath the ThrottleBody. Has a 3 pin black connector, 2 screws attach it to the TB. The lower part of the shaft has a tab on it that aligns with the tabs on the sensor. I've heard people say about adjusting it but the 3(88,90,92)engines I've messed with all were non-adjustable(no slots), just screw holes.

 

TPS is located on the end of the shaft for the throttle body butterflys. Don't really need a manual for this one, just a digtal meter and info from this forum. There are several write ups about it. One is loacted in the articles. Click the articles button and then electrical.
The absolute voltages you get are not as important as the need for a smooth rise in voltage as the throttle is opened. If there is a "dead" spot, it could easily cause the problem you are experiencing.

 

to answer the solenoide question. if it is an e4od yes there is a solenoide block with 4 solenoids mounted in it. it is inside the trans under the valve body and some times the solenoids go bad. sometimes they get clutch material or metal shavings stuck in them and they stop working correctly. before you go playing with them go to a local transmission parts supplier (in the phone book) ask for the atsg rebuild manual and update manual for an e4od transmission. if you cant find a trans parts supplier (i know there is one) then you can get them from ebay. you will find one locally. get the manuals they are like $15 each the manual gives detailed instructions on everything you need to know about checking removing cleaning and installing. pay very close attention to torque spects and anything you dissassemble make sure you clean it real good (i use brake clean) and use all new gaskets. reuse nothing. there is a main manual and an updated manual for the newer trannies (95- up) you should have both but if i rember rite the main one will get the solenoid part explained. make sure you use a torque wrench 1/4 or 3/8 1foot pound= 12 inch pounds.

 

the ecm uses the throttle position sensor to tell the trans when to shift. if the tps is bad ecm gets a garbage signal in turn trans does not work correctly . you also have to have the manual leaver positiion sensor (shift lever On transmission) in proper working order . sometimes these go bad get full of mud get hit with things under the truck while off roading (sticks, rocks,ect) make sure all wire connections to trans are clean pluged in and there are no damaged wires, there is also a speed sensor some are mounted on the trans some on transfer case(4x4) or it is mounter on the rear axel. same thing can happen to the speed sensor as the shift leaver sensor.

 

Your description below could describe what I'm seeing happen with my trans. See thread I started titled "Brake Lamps On-Off." I'm about ready to subscribe to the Motocraft TSB service and start reading some of those that address the symptoms I'm seeing.

Is your problem reliably repeatable or random? Mine is completely random. I cannot reproduce it--ESPECIALLY when I ask the shop to look at it (yet) again!

Tom

 

camarokid81
Check your PMs, sent you one several days ago

 

If the trans seems to slip out of gear, the usual culprit is the MLPS. The TPS is also a culprit.

I will add to what Camarokid said. The computer uses information from the TPS to determine line pressure in the transmission. For instance, the harder you're on the gas, the harder the trans is going to shift thanks to higher line pressure. The TPS ranges in voltage from .9 I believe to 5 volts (.9 being closed throttle, 5 being open throttle).

So lets say for instance, you're cruising along and you're about 1/4 of the way into the gas, and say your TPS is putting out a voltage of 2.8 volts. Then all of a sudden, it drops to .9 due to it being faulty. Your computer will think you are getting out of the gas, allowing the trans line pressure to decrease, which will make it feel like it has slipped out of gear.

The other situation could be a faulty MLPS sensor. Again, the computer takes information from said sensor to determine line pressure in the gear selected and also to tell what gear its in. So for instance again, if you're crusing along in drive, and the MLPS has a glitch, and for some reason tells the computer you're in nuetral, the computer is again going to drop line pressure, making the trans feel like it slipped out of gear.

This could also explain why fghtngirshnvrdie's transmission doesn't want to shift out of 1st. If he is in drive, but the MLPS is telling the computer you are in 1st, it will stay in first.

If anyone has any questions or needs further explination PM me and I'll help ya out

 

I replaced my TPS today. Results unknown, as it is completely random. If it doesn't happen for a few days, then I might assume problem solved. On the other hand, what do I need to look under in my Chilton manual if I'm looking for MLPS? Or do you think it will be in the index as MLPS? I'll take a look.

Ryan

 

The MLPS is mounted to the driver side of the transmission. It actually slides over the selector shaft that sticks out of the tranny. I think two 10 or 8mm bolts, plus take the shift linkage off, and it should pull off.

If you go to the parts store, most places are going to consider it a "Nuetral safety switch", because in reality, thats what it is, but it does a lot more than that. It costs about 40 or 50 bucks I believe.

 

460kirk i received no message just put it here because i am monitoring this thread