'96 Tranny Problem
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'96 Tranny Problem
A weird problem...
I have a '96 F-350 4WD Crew Cab PSD with an automatic transmission that has started doing weird things. The tranny is shifting hard and the overdrive "off" indicator light on the shift lever is blinking at a regular interval. I haven't read the codes yet, but I suspect that there is a sensor somewhere that is going bad. I really haven't investigated all that much, but I did check the fluid. It is at normal level, normal color, and didn't have a burn't smell. The transmission is running at normal temperature. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I have a '96 F-350 4WD Crew Cab PSD with an automatic transmission that has started doing weird things. The tranny is shifting hard and the overdrive "off" indicator light on the shift lever is blinking at a regular interval. I haven't read the codes yet, but I suspect that there is a sensor somewhere that is going bad. I really haven't investigated all that much, but I did check the fluid. It is at normal level, normal color, and didn't have a burn't smell. The transmission is running at normal temperature. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
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From: MICHIGAN
You can check or replace the sensor (VSS) on top of the rear differential. IF you find a lot of metal particles clean and reinstall. Pull #9 fuse under the hood and reinstall. This resets the PCM.
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An additional bit of information. I checked for DTC codes with my tuner this evening and the truck is throwing a P1728 - Transmission Slip Error. Does this mean what I think it does? This is definitely not the most convenient time for me to be overhauling the transmission in my truck.
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From: MICHIGAN
Yep, A new tranny is in your future. 
Do you have a tranny temp gage? What temps is it showing?
Do the easy stuff:
Change the fluid and filter.
get a sonax kit, it increases pressures in the tranny, maybe it will buy you some time.
Do you have a tranny temp gage? What temps is it showing?
Do the easy stuff:
Change the fluid and filter.
get a sonax kit, it increases pressures in the tranny, maybe it will buy you some time.
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Cuda...Thanks for the confirmation. I figured that was going to be the answer, but was dreading it. I guess I'll start shopping around for tranny work. Anybody know of a good shop in the Dallas area?
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Just thought I would add a new wrinkle to this post...last night I was driving home in my still hard shifting truck and my frustration was growing. When I'd had one "buck" too many I stomped on the accelerator in response. To my suprise the tranny smoothed out, the overdrive "off" light quit blinking and the truck has been driving normally ever since. Now I'm really confused...
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Freaky!
Just needed a goood kick in the ######! Works all the time! Can't advice you on that one. Jcab
Originally Posted by Texmo
Just thought I would add a new wrinkle to this post...last night I was driving home in my still hard shifting truck and my frustration was growing. When I'd had one "buck" too many I stomped on the accelerator in response. To my suprise the tranny smoothed out, the overdrive "off" light quit blinking and the truck has been driving normally ever since. Now I'm really confused...
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From: MICHIGAN
I don't know what the trouble could be but I'm glad to hear it's OK now. Maybe it just an electrical problem. Shift solenoids? Check the electrical connectors on the outside of the tranny. It's possible that a piece of crud broke loose from the rough treatment. Changing out the fluid and fiter may me a good move right now.
Take it to a tranny shop and have them run a scan if it happens again. Their scanners are usually better.
Take it to a tranny shop and have them run a scan if it happens again. Their scanners are usually better.
Last edited by Cuda_jim; Oct 20, 2006 at 06:19 AM.
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Same problem, 1997 PSD with 137K miles. What are the chances that this problem is bad sensor, dirty oil, new filter or any of the easy stuff vs. a $4,100 transmisison replacement. Also, if the sensors and any of the easy stuff fixes the problem for the time being, with 137K miles how long can I expect the fix to last? Some times chasing the problem in baby steps to buy yet another day is more harrasing than just going the distance.
Last edited by PSDMeg; Nov 5, 2006 at 09:59 PM.