Alright..i have been having a bit of a hard 1-2 shift in my 99' 5.4l f-150 4x4. I figured first off i should flush tranny fluid and have a new filter installed, took it to the dealer guoted me $180 for fluid flush and a new filter and install! I don't know about how much this costs but this seems pretty high. Is this a correct price or should i try another shop? This particular dealer has been know to try and shaft people, i actually take my ford truck to the chevrolet dealer for minor problems instead of this ford dealership. Just figured maybe they giving me a bad price. If not how hard would it be to do this myself, i'm 17 and have little mechanical experience but i am a pretty handy person by nature. Have been working on quads and dirtbikes for years.

Also if anyone else knows something else that could be causing this problem answers would be welcome. At one time my o/d light was flashing almost every time i drove the truck but only for about a week, then it quit. When it was flashing my upshifts where smoother but my downshifts where harder. It hasn't been flashing for over a month now. It did this after a little wet off-roading. When it stopped happening i just didn't think anything about it until now. And the o/d light isn't blown out it just stopped flashing...: ).

thanks
TJ

 

TJ-that's about right for a dealer filter/fluid change. You can do it yourself pretty easily for around $85. You do need to get the codes scanned by a code scanner that can read manufacturer specific codes and come back here to post what codes you have. That'll help us determine what may be causing the flashing OD light-the code will be stored whether the light is blinking or not.
JL

 

Thats in the right price range, some are as low as $130 or so and I have seen around $200. Figure at least $2.50 a qt. for the fluid and $30 or more dealer price for a filter and you can get to $180 pretty quick. If you don't want to do it yourself, go to a Midas or something similar and get their quote, it will most likely be less, but make sure it includes a filter change and complete flush.

If you do it yourself it can be done for around $50-$60 in parts and fluid. There are some good how to's on this site and others about how to do it, not as hard as you might think.

 

Sorry, codes are gone had battery disconnected for a couple hours after the light had quit flashing for a week and it never flashed again. I'm understood that this resets the codes? But does anyone know where i can get a good how-to on a tranny fluid flush and filter change?

thanks

 

oooh, something i forgot to add. Before i bought the truck tranny fluid was added, not a flush just added to the fluid that was already in there. The fluid level is correct tho. Truck only has 85k miles just hoping nothing is wrong with the tranny.

 

Wet offroading = bad for electronic shift trannys. In my experience anyway. Clean out your electrical connections good, let em dry. Give er a flush and you'll be g2g. Also tranny flush is super easy as long as you don't mind to get a little tranny fluid on ya, and as long as all the pan bolts are easily accessable. If so, go for it.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...nsmission.html

 

what about the filter change...hard??? sounds like i'm gonna do it my self if anyone could maybe point me towards some good detailed directions and let me know where to order the filter from i would be very thankful.

Yea that's when the light stopped flashing, after they had dried up good.

 

Ok sounds like i don't need the filter changed from the directions and i think i can do it...but i believe i'll get a quote for just the tranny flush and new fluid maybe that will be cheaper? If not i'll do it myself, thanks for the directions galaxie.

 

If you don't change the filter-you're asking for trouble. I am firmly against any kind of flushing-drop the pan,drain the fluid from the converter and change the filter.
JL

 

I am the same way also. I have almost 202k on my 97 and still going and all I've done is drop the pan. Next filter change is going to include draining converter.

 

Changing the filter is easy, it simply pulls off and the new pushes on, some have a retaining screw. It is also a good time to upgrade to a bigger finned pan since it is off anyway. I have a 24qt MagHytec myself.

 

I've had mine flushed 3 times...no issues yet. and at 120k, i'll do a pan drop, add the pan plug, change the filter, drain the converter (it does have a plug, right?????) and then top her off with Amsoil....then in 20k, just do a drain and top her off with amsoil.

 

Thats the other reason I went with an aftermarket pan, for the drain plug.

 

cheapest ive found the mercon V is $ 4.80 a quart..where do I find it for $2.50..and is it best to use factory ford tranny filter ..