Reverse gear hesitation...

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Jan 21, 2008 | 05:36 PM

nlemerise

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From: AZ

Reverse gear hesitation...

I have noticed, in the last week or two, a hesitation of my truck going into reverse gear. When I put it in R, there is a delay of a second or two before I feel the drivetrain lockup...anyone else experience that? I used to put it in R and it was immediate drivetrain engagement. The truck drives just fine, tranny shifts normal and no delay going into Drive. No rattles, low tranny temperatures...last fluid flush less than a year ago (about 10K miles)...external tranny filter.

Jan 21, 2008 | 05:51 PM

Pocket

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From: Parker, CO

Mine has always had a hesitation. The BTS does it less, but there's still a slight hesitation there.

Jan 21, 2008 | 11:02 PM

Mike Norwood

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From: South-Central Kentucky

just bought a 2001 f-250 and had the same hesitation about going into reverse and then the reverse went out. dealer is replacing the transmission now(within thirty days so lemon law applies)

Jan 21, 2008 | 11:08 PM

SpringerPop

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From: La La Land

I've always had at least a second, maybe two's, hesitation, and consider it normal. I always wait until I feel engagement before adding ANY power.

Pop

Jan 21, 2008 | 11:11 PM

Mike Norwood

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From: South-Central Kentucky

i've heard about that. simply relating my personal experience. had no hesitation out of my '99 f-350 with the same tranny. also the reverse never goofed up until it had been under a load for about half hour( I pull a 6,000lb utility trailer)

Jan 21, 2008 | 11:25 PM

That_Guy

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From: Brinklow Md

Mine did that, just flushed the tranny and changed the filter and that fixed everything, you might want to check the the fluid level though.

Jan 22, 2008 | 07:48 AM

RogueSpear2023

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From: Carlos, MN

I think they all have at least a second of hesitation due to the torque converter locking up.

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Jan 22, 2008 | 09:24 AM

nlemerise

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From: AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwikkordead

Well, if it is a change from previous behavior, something happened.

That is my feeling too Dan...something has changed...the delay is definitely longer now in going into reverse. I am going to drain the tranny (rather than flush it this time) so I can pull the pan and look inside a bit...I was hoping that someone would say "you need to tighten the thigamajigger to 25 in-lb and check the parallax of the muffler bearings" and it will be fixed

. No such luck

...I have a feeling that a trip to John Wood Transmission is in order before fire season starts, if changing the fluid has no positive effect. Thanks guys for the input...much appreciated.

Jan 23, 2008 | 04:55 PM

#10

bdrummonds

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From: Millbrook Alabama

Neal,

I found this earlier when I was searching Dieselmanns technical bulletins

Reverse Engagement Stall:
Some trucks with the 4R100 transmission may stall upon shifting into reverse. This is usually caused by the torque converter clutch being engaged at idle. Engineering is investigating. Broadcast Message 1222.
If this condition occurs under cold temperatures only, it may be due to increased viscosity of the ATF. Ford is recommending changing the ATF to synthetic in this case. Broadcast Message 1435.

I know yours doesn't stall but it may just be a fluid thing.

Jan 23, 2008 | 05:20 PM

#11

rbaker6336

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From: Blairsville,Ga

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdrummonds

mine stalled in reverse for first few winters I owned it
now since rebuild and new torque it has the hesitation in reverse but no stall

Jan 23, 2008 | 07:02 PM

#12

Mark Kovalsky

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Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogueSpear2023

I think they all have at least a second of hesitation due to the torque converter locking up.

The torque converter does not lock up in reverse. Ever! It also never locks when the truck is not moving.

Jan 24, 2008 | 10:02 AM

#13

nlemerise

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From: AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdrummonds

I'm going to flush and change to synthetic as soon as Mr Winter gives up his grip on northern Nevada OR when I go to my southern New Mexico digs next month

. I've got nothing to lose by trying that as PM on the tranny...but after corresponding with Mark K I am budgeting for a John Wood rebuild in the future.

Jan 24, 2008 | 03:40 PM

#14

dieseloholic

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Joined: Mar 2007

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From: St. Clair, MO

My original trans had a small delay, but never seemed to have a problem (with reverse). Since having it rebuilt and upgraded there is no delay.

Jan 24, 2008 | 06:24 PM

#15

Heff-7.3PSD

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I noticed that my truck only did it when the air temp was in the 30's or lower. Once the truck warmed up I did not notice it. I would fire up my truck to get something else out of the garage and put it in reverse and nothing for about 2 to 5 seconds. I took it to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong.