I search these forum a lot looking for direction for my problems but usually I end up more confused or find things that do no apply to my situation. The tranny forum does not get a lot of traffic.

My 1996 F250 4x4 351 E4OD all of a sudden will not shift into overdrive.

The truck was fine last week and when driving this weekend in a 55mph zone I noticed that my engine was turning 2400 RPMs and did not shift into fourth gear. I cannot think of any recent event that would cause this to happen.

The overdrive disable button is smashed off of the shifter handle and has been like this since I bought the truck but overdrive always worked. I thought that the small wires that are left may have grounded or touched each other or something but I thought a light would come on the dash if it did. I have the end of the shifter wrapped in electrical tape to prevent this from happening but I figured it was worth mentioning that the button is gone.

Where do I start? I have NO IDEA how to troubleshoot tranny shifting issues and could really use some guidance.

 

fix the button and wires.

 

Yes, I would like to but that involves removing the column (I believe) and I am not prepared to do that just yet. I have the new button already. How would I wire it up temporarily just to see if that is the cause?

Thanks for the quick response.

 

the on/off light is in the button on the handle.

like i said, start there.

 

Right, but like I said it is destroyed and all I have is brand new button assembly and a shifter handle that looks like it was smashed with a sledge hammer. I have a small bundle of wires hanging out of the end of the destroyed handle.

I am not replacing a steering column just to troubleshoot an overdrive issue. How can I temporarily jimmy the new button onto the old handle to see if that is the cause (I do not have a wiring diagram and I do not know how the poles on the button would relate).

 

im interested in this aswell, my 92 has o/d but the switch doesnt work (ive replaced it twice thinking i got a dud out of the box)

 

so let me get this straight..

you have a truck, with an overdrive that is no longer functioning...

you have a truck with a smashed to hell OD switch on the column...



you come here asking for advice, when its given, you argue back, and instead of fixing a problem your truck has...you want to bootleg the thing back together?

i feel sorry for your truck.


quit being cheap, quit being lazy, fix the button...and see what happens, god, this is why i HATE buying used vehicles.

 

Fuse #17 blown? because of the smashed button perhaps?

You don't have to totally remove the column to repair it IIRC, just loosen/remove the nuts holding the column up to the dash allowing it to drop down some (careful of the gear position indicator cable) disconnect it so you don't break it (easily done).

The shifter is mounted on top of the column and is fairly easy to remove/install, again "IIRC".

 

Ok, listen. Here is the deal. You did not get it straight. I am not arguing but clearly no one really read a word I have typed thus far. Maybe you need to grow some thicker skin if you think taht is argumentative? I don't know. A recap:


- The truck was purchased with the smashed button and the overdrive worked fine (key phrase here)

- Overdrive stopped working for no reason whatsoever last week

- I come asking for advice and was told to fix the button. I asked about how to temporarily fix the button and was again told to fix the button. Huh?

- I have two other cars (Fords), a house, and a family. Replacing the column (or whatever) to properly fix the button is not a priority right now. Supercharging my Mustang and buying books for school is, if you must know. I want to simply connect the new button I have purchased to the wires on the handle to troubleshoot the lack of OD. Not a premanant fix.

- I have no wiring diagram or knowledge of how to temporarily connect the button to see if that is the cause

Got it? Honestly, I'm not sure what the disconnect is here. I should have titled the thread 'My tranny in mine truck runs like crap' and would have probably recieved a zillion responses.


BTW - thanks danr1 for the info. See, that is what I'm looking for. A thoughtful, mature response. You just missed the part about OD working when the button was already destroyed.


Anyone else with an opinion other than 94sprayedf150?

 

we all have our problems.

not sure if i feel like helping but here goes:

LG/W= GROUND

R/Y=TO KEY PWR FUSE PANEL

T/LB= TRANS. CONTROL SWITH CONNECTOR

failed off= bad fuse or elec. pressure control circuit shorted

 

One of the common failure points is the wires at the base of the shifter arm, where it meets the column. They break from the moving of the arm. I would locate the wires at the base of the column, there will be a 3 wire plug with the above mentioned colours. Test the switch at that point.
Just get another shifter arm from the wreckers and replace it. You only need to remove the column covers, remove the pin that holds the arm and replace it.
I repaired the wires in the arm, where they usually break.

 

i read everything correctly, and was aware that your truck had a hillbilly *** busted OD ****....

doesnt change the fact, it needs to be changed ANYWAYS.

also, you cant find info? a 2 minute google search provided me with a complete wiring diagram, everyone just wants all the info handed to them on a silver platter.

i feel sorry for your truck, and heaven forbid, if your trying to supercharge a mustang.

 

Sheesh, that is all I was asking for. Thank you.

Note to self...

 

move your face into the slapping machine and remove it after you get some courtesy slapped into you.

 

Come again?