Torque conv. questions
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Torque conv. questions
I think my torque converter crapped out on me. I was hauling 11,000lbs of hay today and my truck went into limp home mode - OD light blinking and harder shifts. It is staying locked up when stopped but doesn't stall dead. The fluid looks fine - no particles. I pulled the #9 fuse to reset it soI can get around. How long can I get around before it completely dies? I would like to replace the TC myself to save a little $$. I have never done it before so any advice will be appreciated. Will the whole system need to be flushed? I hope not because I can't do that. I know I should replace it with a more heavy duty unit but I cannot afford a $600 torque converter so I might have to stay stock.
I have a 97 f-350 CC SRW E4OD.
I have a 97 f-350 CC SRW E4OD.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
I doubt the TC is staying locked. It would stall the engine when stopped IMO.
Did it act OK after the PCM reset?
The easiest (& cheapest) thing to do is change the fluid and filter. You can drain the TC too. There is a rubber plug in the bottom of the bell housing that will expose a plug in the TC for draining. It takes about 16 quarts fo ATF. Be sure to flush out the tranny cooler.
Clean the speed sensor on top the rear differential for debris. It's magnetic, so just wipe it off and try it again. This sensor will cause the symptoms you described.
BTW: changing the TC is not too hard with another pair of hands to muscle it out of the truck.
Did it act OK after the PCM reset?
The easiest (& cheapest) thing to do is change the fluid and filter. You can drain the TC too. There is a rubber plug in the bottom of the bell housing that will expose a plug in the TC for draining. It takes about 16 quarts fo ATF. Be sure to flush out the tranny cooler.
Clean the speed sensor on top the rear differential for debris. It's magnetic, so just wipe it off and try it again. This sensor will cause the symptoms you described.
BTW: changing the TC is not too hard with another pair of hands to muscle it out of the truck.
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I pulled the fuse last night and had to let it sit until this afternoon. OD light started blinking as soon as i started the engine. When i got out on the road i had the same firm shifts as before. I cleaned the VSS and I am reseting the #9 fuse again. If that doesn't work Im on to the filter change.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
I would change the fluid and filter like Cuda said first. Flushing is very important. You can also add a temporary in-line filter. If trash goes through your trans it will do a lot of damage. Then change the VSS.
a stock TC will be fine until you tow heavy again. Then you will be back in the same place. You know the saying "pay me now or pay me later".
If the rest of the trans is stock, you might as well do a rebuild. It will not hold up towing 11k.
a stock TC will be fine until you tow heavy again. Then you will be back in the same place. You know the saying "pay me now or pay me later".
If the rest of the trans is stock, you might as well do a rebuild. It will not hold up towing 11k.
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Cant afford to drop $2,000 on a rebuild right now. It's my only means of transport and I work an hour away from home. I am going to do a fluid and filter change asap (maybe I can do it tonight). Until then how long will it last? I had to drive it to work this morning and other than the hard shifts and a blinking OD light there were no problems. I cringe to think what might be flowing through my trans but when I check the fluid it is clean. I know by the time I see crud that its too late but like I say, it's the only way I can get to work.
You know what really chaps my a$$? My dads stock '03 250 will pull (and did this weekend) 15 or more bails (~15,000lbs. + trailor) without any problem. My 350 rolls over and dies with 2 tons less. Actually, now that I think about it, I started having trouble before the trailer was loaded. i guess 230,000 miles on the ticker doesn't help. I'm catching hell from him now about hom my truck isn't man enough.
You know what really chaps my a$$? My dads stock '03 250 will pull (and did this weekend) 15 or more bails (~15,000lbs. + trailor) without any problem. My 350 rolls over and dies with 2 tons less. Actually, now that I think about it, I started having trouble before the trailer was loaded. i guess 230,000 miles on the ticker doesn't help. I'm catching hell from him now about hom my truck isn't man enough.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
If your OD light is still flashing you have not reset the PCM yet. Mine did that same thing about a year ago pulling 18K. I took battery cables off both batteries for around 30min to an hour and it reset. Im still pulling on the same TC 50K miles ago. Give that a try. A flush and filter are excellent ideas. Good to keep that fluid clean.
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I will disconnect the batt. then. I love to hear that you are still going after 50,000. You optimistic guys are killin' me here. lol. But keep the good coming.
Last edited by Goober1979; Jan 22, 2007 at 08:51 AM. Reason: spellin'
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Cuda_jim, i pulled number 9 and left it out over night. When I started it the OD light started blinking before i ever got out of Park. Could this be a clue to the problem?
I cleaned the VSS. It is only about 3mo. old.
I cleaned the VSS. It is only about 3mo. old.
Last edited by Goober1979; Jan 22, 2007 at 10:44 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
The fuse only needs to be out for a short time. Take the truck to a tranny shop and have it scanned. Most shops do this for free. They will need to drive the truck to do it correctly..go with them. The next test the shop will do after that is a pressure test, that normally cost a few bucks. IF the shop is any good at all they will know what the trouble is and hopefully will share it with you besides "It needs to be rebuilt". But it really looks like that what's going to happen.
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Reset the PCM (TCM??) last night by disconnecting the batts. So for now she is bck to normal. I will run it like this until i can afford a good TC and maybe a rebuild. Until then I will replace the fluid and filter but I have a few questions:
1. When I dran the TC, how do I refill it? Is it refilled through the dipstick tube like the rest of the trans?
2. I plan on dumping in 16q of fluid and having about four more quarts to spare incase 16 doesn't fill it. Is this a good idea?
3. If the 16 isn't enough, and I start the engine to check it, will I fry my trans? Also I have heard that overfilling is just as bad as underfilling and I am worried about screwing up.
Thanks alot for all your help so far guys. I will get this licked sooner of later.
1. When I dran the TC, how do I refill it? Is it refilled through the dipstick tube like the rest of the trans?
2. I plan on dumping in 16q of fluid and having about four more quarts to spare incase 16 doesn't fill it. Is this a good idea?
3. If the 16 isn't enough, and I start the engine to check it, will I fry my trans? Also I have heard that overfilling is just as bad as underfilling and I am worried about screwing up.
Thanks alot for all your help so far guys. I will get this licked sooner of later.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
The TC should refill itself. While at idle shift from reverse to drive a few times.
Don't just dump 16 qts in. Put in about 14 and start checking it. It will go down when you start it. Keep checking and adding as needed. Remember it is supposed to be hot at idle.
Overfilling is not good.
Do you have a trans temp gauge?
Remember if you see anything in the old fluid, you have to flush it out and add an inline filter.
Don't just dump 16 qts in. Put in about 14 and start checking it. It will go down when you start it. Keep checking and adding as needed. Remember it is supposed to be hot at idle.
Overfilling is not good.
Do you have a trans temp gauge?
Remember if you see anything in the old fluid, you have to flush it out and add an inline filter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Wisconsin
What i did when i put a new TC and flex plate in my truck was... dumped about 5-6 qts of fluid in it and then i went and started my truck. i sat in the truck and shifted through the gears P-R-N-D_2_1 and i mixed and matched it a bit. then i put 2 more in and did that tilll a got up to 14qts. then i started adding the fluid slowly. you do not want to over fill it.
thats how i did it
Mitch
thats how i did it
Mitch