Truck info is in my sig, but I believe that I have an E4OD (I have the overdrive button on the shifter). I haven't gotten underneath to check if it has the 20 bolts on the pan or not yet but i'm about 99% sure. My problem, which it might not be a problem, is that the TC lockup acts funny. I was wondering about the normal function of this and what it would be in another truck as compared to mine. I just wanted to see if mine is normal or something might be wrong. I had some problems with the ingition a little bit back and thought that I might of had a bad PCM and thought that it might be shifting funny because of that. Found out the the computer was good (thank goodness) but I still have the tranny problem.

My dad has an 06' E-350 with the 6.0 PS diesel and the auto tranny. I think that this one is a newer one than the E4OD (whatever Ford went to for the newer model years) not to mention a beefed up tranny because of the diesel. It feels like it has a 5 speed auto because of the TC lockup in normal driving out on regular roads, 40-50mph. When you get on it, the tranny drops out of lockup and will even downshift if needed till you get back up to cruising speed and lock back in. I'm not sure how much this type of operation would differ from what I have but I wouldn't guess that it would much.

Now on to how mine operates. It seems like anytime you give it over half throttle (unless you slam it to the floor for a downshift) the TC locks up until you release the pedal above the halfway point and you can physically feel the TC become unlocked and hear the enging rev a bit higher. It doesn't only do it in 4th gear either, i've had it happen in 3rd and i'm not positive but maybe 2nd. By the time that I can get up to speed where the TC stays locked out i'm flying and still gaining too much speed to even travel safely on the interstate 70-80mph. LOL. I still have to let off of the gas to get to a speed that I want to maintain and it comes unlocked.

What I would like to know, and I think that I mentioned it to subford in one of my posts (I believe), is that if there is anything electronically that would cause this behavior. Maybe it's normal but i'm guessing not since I can't use my TC lockup efficently. I'm sure that it would help with fuel economy.

I've also read posts about putting a switch on the dash and making it lock up manually, but didn't want to go this route yet if it's something that I can fix relatively easily. I've checked the fluid (level and warm in park) and it's in the operating range on the stick. I haven't changed the fluid and filter yet since i've had the truck, but it's on my list of stuff to do. The fluid looks nice and red though.

On a side note: Is the transmission dipstick on the Van of a 95'ish year with an E4OD compatible to use on my truck? With the body lift, it makes it a pain to check or add fluid to the tranny and would like to locate it closer to the front of the truck. Could this be an option that I could go with if I snagged one at the local pick and pull? Thanks!

 

Not sure about your problem but the dipstick should work,my engine and trans came from a 95 E250 and I took a dipstick from a truck and installed,oil level read same when new stick and tube was installed

 

Thanks! That's good info to know. Makes it easier to check the fluid at least.

I'm still wondering about the normal operation of the tranny though. Is mine acting normal or am I just being paranoid? Anyone else out there (i'm sure theres a lot) with an E4OD? Thanks!

 

The torque converter should not lock up under hard acceleration, it should unlock. Under light throttle I have felt the TC lock in 3rd and 4th, never 2nd gear on any of my 90's era trucks (3 in all).

A few things to check. Pull the codes, many times you can have error codes stored in the PCM with no Check Engine Light On. Check the trans.fluid level. Too full is almost worse than a little under. How old is the fluid? Faulty MLPS, TPS, Solenoid Pack and/or poor connections to any of these can and will cause all kinds of issues. Any other symptoms present? High idle, stumble, etc.?

Start with the easy stuff first. Good reading here: E4OD Diagnosis Thread.

 

Thanks for the info. I've already read all the related links on this, as i've seen them on other posts. I can't find anything in them that fits my situation. A lot of good info though. I'm not sure how old the fluid in the tranny is, but I did have a leak in one of the lines that I repaired not too long ago. I know that the fluid is full and nice and red. I'm still going to do a filter and fluid change thought, I just haven't gotten to it yet. No other problems with the truck that I can tell. Runs great! No high idle, stumbling or missing. I'll double check the connections on both sides of the tranny. I was thinking that it might be TPS but it runs too good and I pulled the codes not too long ago (when I was working on the ignition system) and didn't have any related to the tranny. I do need to pull the codes again and do an KEOR test because I haven't done one of those yet. It just seems that when i'm cruising fast that it doesn't lock up, only when I push the accelerator past the half way point. I'm sure if I kicked it to the floor, it would downshift and not lock up but it doesn't lock up while i'm doing a steady speed (70mph) cruising on the interstate. I thought that it would for fuel economy.

 

Posting links to other sites? While an informative thread yea, I didn't think that was allowed here?

This comment,

. It seems like anytime you give it over half throttle (unless you slam it to the floor for a downshift) the TC locks up until you release the pedal above the halfway point and you can physically feel the TC become unlocked

Gotta ask,

When you hit the brake pedal do the brake lights lite up? or on all the time?

 

Yes they do. I did check that out. Although the brake switch has been changed, that was noticible. They do work though.

 

Ok then I'd run the KOEO self test as suggested and see if it will tell ya anything.

Your issue definitely sounds electrical in nature, tracking it down might not be to bad, hopefully the computer will give ya a clue.

 

Ok, thanks. I'll run the tests and let you know what I find.