started a thread in the trans/diff sections here: E40D -dropping out of third -out of blue - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums anyways not much traffic there.. anyone have any thoughts? thinking about having it rebuilt or replacing it? like most i am on a limited budget in this crappy economy.. so looking for input on how to get this done for less less than 2K if possible.. has anyone bought a trans off ebay? is there any big trans suppliers in the northeast? do i really need a triple disc billet converter? should I just go ahead and replace the radiator? transgo hd shift kit? etc... any info appreciated oh yeah most i tow is 6,000llbs and i have a stack type auxillary trans cooler i added less than a year ago...

 

You should check for codes anyhow. When my truck started acting up there was no indications of codes but i did a memory check and found some. Too bad you dont know your Tran temp. That would be useful. You should change your VSS on the rear diff. or pull the old one and clean it and see if it acts up less. Have you checked the wiring connector at the trans for moisture?

 

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its been snowing/raining for 3-4 days in a row... I checked harness and it looked OK. Tough to tell lying on your back in a down pour though. Poking around today I discovered my windshield is leaking also; so maybe something in dash got wet. I took truck for ride after letting it idle for an hour with the heat blasting and taking column covers off and looked for moisture; didn't see any. Anyways results where:

• -trans goes into reverse fine.. no groan
• -into first the trans 'groans/whirs' just off idle while cold.. give it some throttle and it stops immediately and fine after about a mile
• -truck wouldn't shift out of second for first couple miles, stomped on it and after some hesitation shifted through all gears and into OD fine
• -once trans was warm it up shifted and downshifted good, got better with a little time, seems to be shifting OK now although I want to say its a little slower shifting

gonna let it sit overnight and see what happens tomorrow when its cold? the groan/whir goin into first when cold cant be good, any thoughts anyone?

 

I'm not much of a tranny guy but the first thing I would do is check the fluid and see if it smells/looks burnt.

 

Sounds like the bases have been covered quite well. I'd also suggest having the instrument cluster tested. (I'll be doing that when finances allow.)

I had my E4OD replaced by my local dealer a little over a year ago. There were other issues with the old tranny, but the symptoms you mentioned still show up at times. My shifting issues happen whether it's wet or dry, so I don't think moisture is a concern for me.

Someone mentioned they were having symptoms similar to mine. He had the dealer test his instrument cluster. It tested bad. (I'm guessing the PSOM was the culprit.) I'm going through VSS modules like crazy (under warranty) and am convinced my problem is in the dash. My speedometer will stop working; needle drops to whatever side it's pointing to and the odometer/tripmeter will go blank. When it starts working again, the speedometer is fine and steady. The odometer/tripmeter lights up again and usually indicates 3 miles less than before even if I've only driven 0.1 miles after it goes blank.

I will be double-checking for moisture issues at the tranny connector, too.

Anyway...I got new tranny, TC and flexplate installed for about $2400 AND have a 3 year/ 100,000 mile warranty to boot. The dealer even installed a tranny fluid filter at no charge. I tow a 24' travel trailer and have had no problems, except the recurring electrical gremlins.

 

Remember to pull the VSS on the rear diff and clean it you may find a little metal there. Also I bet your window leak is dead center on the top and only does it when its cold and then rainy of course. Also really inspect the trans oil, it should look pristine red. I would drain the trans and then drop the pan and see how much crude is on the pan magnet. Clean it well, change the trans filter and remember to not leave the old O-ring stuck up in there, they like to stick in there. Screw driver to pry it out. Then post your results afterwards. It will take about 8 to 9 qts to fill it back up. If you want to drain your TC thats a little harder in that plug normally is not on th ebottom when you drop the shield.

 

damn leak is dead center how did ya guess?

 

One single wrap seal and they seam it at the top center to lessen the likelyhood of a leak, the older the truck and the climate exposure opens the seam. :?) Rocky