I am leasing a 97 Ford F-150XLT Supercab with the 4.6l V8. In the past year I have noticed a problem with shifting from 2nd to 3rd when the tranny is cold. After driving for around 10 minutes, she shifts fine. If I accelerate slowly, she will shift fine.

I have taken her in for a trans fluid change and checkup and the mechanic said it all looks good in there.

With transmissions I am not sure who to trust. What is breaking on the transmission? A sensor of some type that works when warm? I know computers, but a transmission is a mystery that I have not attempted to learn about. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Can't say for sure if this is normal but, my 94 F250 w E4OD won't shift from 3rd to 4th (Might also just be the TC lockup that waits) until it is warmed up, usually a couple miles. I seem to have trouble telling the difference between 3to4 and TC lockup.

The tranny has done this since being rebuilt and I am not sure what it did prior to that since I didn't pay attention. Definitely a longer delay in cold weather.

I am not sure why yours does this from 2nd to 3rd, I would assume 3rd to 4th would be so that the TC will heat up the fluid before either shifting to 4th or locking the TC, but 2nd to 3rd?

I could be wrong and am not an expert, but it has been almost 20,000 miles since the rebuild with heavy trailer towing thrown in and nothing has blown up yet. Plus I have read many times over the past 30 years that an automatic does need to reach a certain operating temp for best performance. Maybe the computer is forcing the tranny to wait till it is warmed up.

You might have the tranny shop hold on to it over night so they can try it while the fluid is cold. Or just ask them if it is normal for delayed upshifts or TC locking while cold.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Hi, Ken here, I think you have a 4R70W trans with a bad 2-3 accumalator. The valve body will have to be dropped and accu. replaced with a new part number which I can find for you tomorrow. Any Ford dealer will know of this problem and fix it for you. If you what the part number let me know....Ken.

 

Is this where they ask for your arm, leg, and the firstborn? Thanks for checking on the info and it will be put to use. With some idea of what may be wrong, I can inquire about costs more effectively. I appreciate any other info and if anyone else is experiencing a similar condition.

 

If you are leasing the truck it is under warranty, take it back to the dealer.

John

 

standard warranty is 3 years / 36,000 miles. We are way beyond that. Currently at 4 years 4 months / 53,000 miles.

Thought about the third party extended warranties, but I plan to turn the truck in at the end of the lease in July. Did not want to invest alot of money into a truck I was not keeping.

Thanks for the response, though.