Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Poor shifting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 8, 2008 | 08:37 PM
  #1  
danlemieux1's Avatar
danlemieux1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Poor shifting

I just recently bought an automatic 97 f250 powerstroke. It has over 200,000 miles on it. I have some concerns on the shifting. From 1st to 2nd, the truck shifts hard and seems to rev up too much before shifting. From 2nd to 3rd, doesn't shift as hard, but still seems to take too long. From 3rd to 4th, it shifts hard, but way too soon. 4th to 5th seems normal. I've been told that it is either a warn out transmission or the computer is telling it to shift at the wrong time. It is not chipped. Has anyone else had these problems?
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 01:22 AM
  #2  
cookie88's Avatar
cookie88
FTE Leadership Emeritus
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
FTE Emeritus
Hi Dan. Welcome to FTE.

Seems like your concerns are warranted.....sounds like there is quite a bit of slipping. BTW, a 4th to 5th shift is quite abnormal for an automatic, it's a four speed transmission.
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 01:31 AM
  #3  
884x4broncoII's Avatar
884x4broncoII
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 0
its probably the tc lockup in 4th he is mistakin for a5th gear shift. sorry i cant help with the question im defently no tranny expert, all i know about trannys is re-re and cluch jobs
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 08:55 AM
  #4  
4x4 factory's Avatar
4x4 factory
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: venice,florida
Mine was doing almost the same thing, 1st to second could snap your neck 2nd to 3rd wasn't to bad but had to rev to get there, and 4 was TC then shift little bump kinda, I found out that mine was chipped, Have a 97 350 but behind right kick panel really hard to see and get to, ask a friend of mine about it if it could be chipped and he wipped it apart looked up there said yep its chipped, so pulled it out and truck drives great now 3rd to 4 is still a little bumpy but works fine ,I take mine out of OD in town. I put a pic on here and it was also confirmed it was aftermarket chip.
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 08:59 AM
  #5  
4x4 factory's Avatar
4x4 factory
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: venice,florida
But by all means check your fluid ,smell it and probably change it and filter ,pull your inspection cover under flywheel and turn if need be and see if you have a plug in TC and if you do drain also.
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 04:05 PM
  #6  
danlemieux1's Avatar
danlemieux1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
So....the "short shift" I thought I was feeling was the tc locking? Boy, I feel a little stupid. 4X4 factory- you said behind the right kick panel? Is that drivers side or passengers side? I checked behind the drivers side kick panel and found no chip. Is there also a computer on the other side? The fluid is still red, but not bright red. It doesn't smell burned. Maybe I should focus on that instead of the computer? Sorry I'm not very informed. This is my first diesel and my first Ford. I love the truck though!!
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 05:12 PM
  #7  
tjbeggs's Avatar
tjbeggs
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Club FTE Silver Member

To check for a chip you have to pull the kick panel and the parking brake mechanism. the PCM is behind there.
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 05:13 PM
  #8  
4x4 factory's Avatar
4x4 factory
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: venice,florida
Sorry meant left side driver, and said right behind ,anyway its hard to see, look up under Ebrake pedal and there is a hole, its right against the fender panel, If you look outside the truck under hood and on same side you will see plug ins to PCM it is connected to that but inside truck, It took me awhile to find it had to get my helper with better younger eyes to get it out. I wish I had a pic to show you but I don't. Just see hat you can find out maybe someone here has a pic where it is. Do a search in this forum for NAWA 6 and you'll find my post from the other day and there is a PIC there and in my gallery link in signuture. at least what it looks like out,plugs in on top of PCM thats why is so hard to see,
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 05:27 PM
  #9  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Does OD lamp cancel lamp work?

Bill
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 06:32 PM
  #10  
danlemieux1's Avatar
danlemieux1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
The OD/cancel OD does work. I'm just trying to determine if it is the computer causing my problems or the transmission. Doesn't the computer tell the transmission when to shift??
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 06:47 PM
  #11  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Originally Posted by danlemieux1
The OD/cancel OD does work. I'm just trying to determine if it is the computer causing my problems or the transmission. Doesn't the computer tell the transmission when to shift??
Yes it does. But is allways changing according to load.
Could be programming, input signals or hydraulics or combo of.

Bill
 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2008 | 07:21 PM
  #12  
danlemieux1's Avatar
danlemieux1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I'll probably have to take it in. I was just trying to get an idea so I could tell them where to look. Thanks for your help.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:45 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE