im having the same prob with my 95 bronco 351/e4od n i did the same thing... changed filter n fluid but it still does it, other wise it runs like new. im still tryin to find some answers......
E4OD going to hell?
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Oxford, ME
E4OD going to hell?
Ok guys I just picked up a '94 F150 XLT 302/E4OD 4x4 with 129k miles. On the way home it started shifting really messed up with an extremely hard 1-2 shift and then a more firm than usual 2-3 shift. When i got home i checked the fluid level and it was WAY above the cross hatched area so I changed the fluid and filter. Now the truck will intermittantly shift f**ked up like it did before I did the fluid and filter. When it does this it has a delayed and hard shift into reverse as well. There are no lights on on the dash and the truck drives EXCELLENT when the transmission is shifting right. I am really stumped after searching around on here not having found similar symptoms of tranny problems. 
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Oxford, ME
sorry to hear man... i actually just drove it some more today and it seems that it only acts up when the transmission gets hot? When i start it up cold it goes excellent. When there is the hard 1-2 shift it seems to tach up way to high under very light throttle. I am stumped why it runs so good then all of a sudden starts screwing up
Transmission Rebuilder
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,569
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From: North Georgia
Hard shifts can be a sign of the transmission in (limp mode or fail safe). This is something the computer does when it sees a problem with the transmission.
The computer raises line pressure and inhibits lock up. The shifts can be harsh when its like this.
There should be a code stored, so a scanner would help a lot at this point. It could be something minor or major. Does the OD off light work? It should blink when a code is stored, most of the time.
Codes can be difficult to clear in this type of truck, disconnect the battery(s) and wait a bit, this should clear them.
Pay attention to when it starts to shift hard, stop and go traffic or highway cruising, ect.
The computer raises line pressure and inhibits lock up. The shifts can be harsh when its like this.
There should be a code stored, so a scanner would help a lot at this point. It could be something minor or major. Does the OD off light work? It should blink when a code is stored, most of the time.
Codes can be difficult to clear in this type of truck, disconnect the battery(s) and wait a bit, this should clear them.
Pay attention to when it starts to shift hard, stop and go traffic or highway cruising, ect.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Oxford, ME
It occurs during stop and go driving. On back roads and the highway it doesnt have any trouble because i think the temps are staying down. The o/d off light works and does not flash. i will try to get the codes pulled at some point this week. i remember reading something about pulling them without a scan tool (OBD I). Does anyone have any pointers on how to do this? I know on my old car i just used a jumper wire on the diagnostic port and turned the ignition on and counted the blinks of the CEL. Thank you!
Post Fiend
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From: Bonita Springs FL
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Oxford, ME
thanks andy. i'll try to do what i can with that information but do not have access to a voltmeter or test light. I think i might pick one up this afternoon. Another bit of information I noticed with the truck is that with the cruise control on the speedometer needs fluctuates but the speed seems to remain constant. I know the transmission uses a reading from a speed sensor and wonder if this could cause the hard shifting issues
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
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From: Chicagoland
If the speed sensor was wonky then you'd get a Check Engine light.
I have an E4OD in a '95 Bronco that had bad moods like you describe. When I first got it I changed out the fluid with Castrol Merc3 and that made it a little better. I have slowly been exchanging that fluid a few quarts at a time with the Castrol High Mileage fluid - green bottle - and the transmission only acts up very rarely.
You might try a more expensive fluid like the Castrol green bottle or Mobil 1 to see if it likes that better. Don't expect immediate results because it takes a while for the new fluid's chemistry to work into the clutch faces.
Calvin
I have an E4OD in a '95 Bronco that had bad moods like you describe. When I first got it I changed out the fluid with Castrol Merc3 and that made it a little better. I have slowly been exchanging that fluid a few quarts at a time with the Castrol High Mileage fluid - green bottle - and the transmission only acts up very rarely.
You might try a more expensive fluid like the Castrol green bottle or Mobil 1 to see if it likes that better. Don't expect immediate results because it takes a while for the new fluid's chemistry to work into the clutch faces.
Calvin
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Oxford, ME
Ok thank you very much... I reset the computer a few days ago and drove it around and could not get it to duplicate the problem. Because the hard shifts only seem to occur when the tranny gets hot I think i might just add a large transmission cooler and hope for the best lol.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
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From: Chicagoland
Ok thank you very much... I reset the computer a few days ago and drove it around and could not get it to duplicate the problem. Because the hard shifts only seem to occur when the tranny gets hot I think i might just add a large transmission cooler and hope for the best lol.
While that certainly wouldn't hurt mine already had an aftermarket cooler on it.
Calvin
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Freshman User
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From: Oxford, ME
i see. I have been messing with it more and notice after it starts shifting hard if i reset the computer by disconnecting the battery it will go alright for a while then start to act up again. this seems to happen regardless of tranny temperature. i read the information how to pull codes from teh computer but can not get a place to pull codes with a scan tool since its OBD1 and dont have access to a voltmeter or test light. which would you recommend i purchase for this troubleshooting and for future jobs like this?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
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From: Chicagoland
i see. I have been messing with it more and notice after it starts shifting hard if i reset the computer by disconnecting the battery it will go alright for a while then start to act up again. this seems to happen regardless of tranny temperature. i read the information how to pull codes from teh computer but can not get a place to pull codes with a scan tool since its OBD1 and dont have access to a voltmeter or test light. which would you recommend i purchase for this troubleshooting and for future jobs like this?
Calvin
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Oxford, ME
Oh I can use a jumper wire/paper clip on this truck? Sweet, I did this with my old car (GM product) but didn't know it'd work on my Ford. I'm going to pull the codes right now!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 601
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From: Chicagoland
This is the Ford way to get your Check Engine light to blink out the codes with a jumper wire. If you can count you can get your codes. I couldn't so I bought a scanner instead
.Calvin