I just bought a 1997 F350 Single Cab Long box, 4x4 with the 7.3L and Auto (E4OD) trans..

Motor runs great, but the trans is giving me some big problems... On my 9 hour trip home with it a friend that came with me noticed the OD light was flashing........... I know thats not good.

So i got it home and the next morning i took it to a local trans shop to get it scanned and a road test..

The guy i bought it from said it has a bully dog shift kit and a new torque converter. Trans shifts real nice when its not in the fail safe mode..

The trans shop didnt come up with any codes but a CPS (Which ended up being ok any ways..) I think they are hiding information from me so they get my business so im takin it to another guy who i actually know to get it scanned again..

Also i noticed that the speedo moves back and fourth just a little bit.. Also seams like when your taking off the power is hit and miss. As in lightly pushing on the gas and it will start to move, then rpms drop and it dont, then rpms pick back up and it starts moving.

On the highway doing 70 MPH im doing 2500 RPMS, 4.10 gears with 35 inch tires. It doesnt seam to have any overdrive at all, and at any speed...

What are your thoughts? Im starting to get frustrated here..

 

Twitchy speedo tells me its one of 3 things... either the VSS (or RABS) sensor which is bolted to the top of the rear pumpkin, the PSOM (small computer behind the speedo in the cluster) or the wiring in between. The VSS is only about $20, but pull yours out and check for large chunks of gear on it first. Fine metal shavings are normal, wipe it off and reinstall and see if the problem goes away. If not, look at the wiring along the frame for spots that are hanging down or that have been spliced and make sure there are no broken wires. Last resort is the PSOM, which the cheap and easy way to fix that problem is a new cluster from a junkyard. You can buy a new PSOM or have yours rebuilt, but its big $$$. A new cluster can be had for around $100, but the bad part is that since the PSOM stores mileage your rig will now show whatever mileage the donor rig had. You also need to make sure to get one from another 97 as there are minor differences among the different years.

 

I don't know much about this at all but I did see in another thread (about 3 weeks ago maybe) a blinking OD light. Someone answered and said when the light is blinking there has been a code thrown for the trans/drive train. I can't find the thread but I am sure someone will let you know more. superduty4X4 sounds like he knows what he is talking about. Will Autozone/Advanced auto scan for free? Keep us posted and Good Luck!

 

Yea, the blinking OD light means trans code thrown.

 

I cleaned the VSS on the rear axle, un plugged the TPS and took it off to change, ended up being the wrong sensor so i put it all back together. Changed my oil... Ran alot smoooother..

Now i drove allll day and not one trans code thrown. Shifts great. So i dont know what the heck was/is goin on..