I've got a 1990 F-250 w/ a 460 in it. The transmission was replaced with a factory rebuilt 7 years ago, and has about 80,000mi on it. I took it mudding recently and killed it.... The transmission worked like new before hand. First, I did something to the engine, as it no longer runs as good as it did, and it has something to do with the EFI. The Check engine light is on, and has been since then. Not sure if its for the engine or tranny. The engine runs rich now it seems. Anyway, back to the tranny. After we towed it home (engine quit... alternator died, but nothing a hammer couldn't fix) I managed to restart it the same night. Ran fine, just hard to start. Next day, trans would not shift, and slipped. I noticed white foam on the dipstick too, added 2 quarts fresh fluid and drove 10mi (at 25-35mph since it refused to shift). It did shift initially that day for the first quarter mile (before adding fluid), but stopped. After 10mi, the front pump seal blew out, and all but 2 quarts dumped out the tranny. Amazingly, it still drove, but we then towed it home anyway. Re-filled transmission today (2 weeks later) and tranny held pressure, so front seal is ok. Must have had too much pressure and blew past the seal (relief valve stuck... from overheating maybe?). So tried again to drive it with fresh fluid - same problem. It shifts into all positions fine. Smooth and timely. First still has no engine brake. 2nd now has engine brake (lol). Drive stays in first. Reverse works fine, and Neutral and Park work as they should. I'm wondering if the water disabled a sensor for both engine and tranny? I'm not sure if the white foam stuff was water either. The trans was NEVER submerged. Small stock SUV's were going through the same stuff no problem. It was about 2 feet of water/mud, and this truck is lifted anyway. Did the trans fry? Valve body? I really don't know... not familure with EFI or electronic transmissions. If it helps, I do have some experience. I'm good with carburetors and have rebuilt a C6 trans.

 

first check out the engine light read the code

and on the side of the tranny is a control box its black and plastic if water gets into that it will shift wierd just like you are saying...replace that box but do one thing at a time do the engine first....

 

I can't check the code, as I have nothing to check it with, nor can I afford the reader. Ironically, that's what I was driving it for the day it failed. I was going to Autozone to have them run the code. I don't think I should drive it as is. I'll look into the box for the tranny. More ideas? What sensors could cause the engine to run rich? Which ones could make the tranny not shift?

 

A 1990 is OBD1 so you don't need a code reader. Check fordfuelinjection.com for inf on how to read the codes and what they mean.
good luck
rikard

 

Thanks, I ran the test. Not all of them make sense though...

Here are the codes:

KOEO:
21
26
24
31

CM:
31
41
62

KOER:
12
21
26
24
72
73
74
75

Anyone tell me what I should do? I'm guessing theirs no chance of it passing smog either lol.

Trans still not shifting (beyond what I can tell it to do). Engine starts easy though for once.

There was NO difference between the 1 and 2 positions on the shifter. It drives in both, but same gear I think.

 

Anyone know where I should start?

 

well if ya got white foamy stuff in the trans-ya most likely picked up water in it-don't have my book handy so can't help on the codes-ya got a plug in on the passenger side of the trans check to see if it's got water in the hook up-the trans shift pack is on that side-it tells the trans when and where to shift-you also have the neutral safety/ shift indicator wire hook up on the drivers side check it for water contamination!if you got in deep water you may have lots of water/wire issues

 

thanks i'll look into that

what are the ohms values the sensors should read (the ones that arent working according to the computer codes)?

ECT
ACT
Trans Temp
EGR position sensor
Oxygen sensor