I have a 2000 F-250XLT 4x4 with the 7.3 Powerstroke. I towed my 30' fifth wheel the other day with no problems...in fact, I may towed that trailer 5 times since I bought it 18 months ago. My truck is programmed with a Bullydog programmer and always used the 75hp setting, unless I'm towing, I always program it to stock. Fluids are always changed as recommended and trans fluid was changed about this time last year. I have about 110,000 miles on the truck.

Here's the symptoms that just started this morning; First gear sticks, unless you let off the throttle and let the RPM's go back down before re-applying throttle...then it will shift to second. If you floor it while in any other gear, it will kick into passing gear and stick unless you back off the throttle and let the RPMs go back down. There is also a slight whining noise...Ever hook up a car stereo incorrectly and have that whining sound that follows your RPM's ? Its a similar sound only it follows the MPH's instead of RPM's...it's slight, but sounded like it was getting worse while I hobbled it home. The sound seems to be coming from under the hood someplace. If you put the truck in neutral the sound will stop...once you coast down to about 15 MPH and keep off the throttle, the sound will stop...

Anyone have any suggestions ? Trans fluid is pink and seems to be at the correct level and it doesn't appear to be leaking. My Mechanic is closed for the weekend and the thought of a transmission overhaul is going to kill me until Monday !

Any ideas ? Hopefully its just an adjustment somewhere that needs to be made, or a part that needs to be replaced without taking out the whole trans !

Thanks

Scott

 

4wd or transfer case ever give you any problems?

 

Nope...other than the obligatory "auto-hubs-not-ever-working" problem. I installed Warn lock-outs a year or so ago. Other than that it worked fine when I used it in some wet grass Wednesday.

 

I was just exploring the option of somthing creating drag in your drive line. That would cause your truck to work harder, and shift like you were hauling something. I really don't wan't it to be your tranny, that hurts even when it's not my truck, sympathy pain I guess.

Not to ask a stupid question, but did you unlock your hubs after using 4X4?

 

Yep...I unlocked the hubs right after taking it out of 4X4. The truck doesn't seem like its working harder...just slippage and that before-mentioned noise.

I really hope its not the trans either...this is going to set back my Mustang reso BIG-time if it is

Scott

 

Truth is...I rarely tow with the truck...maybe 20 times since 2002 when I bought it. Usually small trailers like a 18' boat, pop-up camper, 85 Mustang, etc. The 30' 5th wheel has only been towed about half dozen times, if that...and then only once over 40 miles.

A member at another site said it might be a sensor in the rear end ? I replaced the speed sensor a couple years ago, but the symptoms for that were ABS light stayed on, rear brakes would lock if you had to really hit the brakes, and the spedometer didn't work til 30mph, then it would bounce around.

Any ideas ?

Scott

 

Man, I hope someone else will chime in, but it sounds like a trip to the transmission shop is in your near future. Have you tried driving it in the 3 position, aka: PRND[3]21, to see if the problem presists with the overdrive out of the equation?

 

Yep...tried that and same thing for the most part...

 

Sounds like Mondays gonna suck more than usual. Good luck with it Scott.

 

Thanks for the input...I'll just have to keep those positive waves going and see what happens

 

I would say try this in the 7.3 fourm I think there was a poroblom with a mech. didode in the earlyer oil burners

 

Is your overdrive button blinking, check to see if it's got any codes.

 

First question should have been - Do you have gauges?

Problem is that with the trans in our trucks, you can toast the trans very quickly. It
isnt how many or if you have towed. It is how hot the trans has gotten. The torque
converter is very inefficient when not locked, you can burn the trans out in just a
short time of slow speed backing.

Good luck. If I am correct, the Bully Dog is pretty tough on transmissions. You should
check on custom chips as they are much better or 7.3's. Total Diesel Performance
is one that sells them.

 

O.D. button is not blinking. I drove w/ O.D. off when I towed my 5th wheel about 40 miles Friday, but it was stop & go the whole way and I don't think I got it over 40mph.

 

I don't have gauges but I think I'm going to get them...which ones ? Trans and EGT's ?

Scott