So a couple of months ago, I had my tranny rebuilt at a local shop near my home. I know i'll probably get a lot of "should have gotten a BTS", but at the time i didn't have the money. Anyways, a couple of weeks ago my truck started to act up. It was sticking in first gear and sometimes even coming out of gear. The transmission is still under warranty, and they have been working on it since last Tuesday. I spoke with the shop today and they told me that they hadn't been able to get it to do what i described (I'm not really surprised that they couldn't because I know they havn't driven it enough to get the tranny warmed up, which is when it was notorious for acting up). They did say that they had pulled the codes on it, and it kept bringing up a bad solenoid code. What is this and how bad of a problem is it? I'm not in anyway ranting about these guys, they have been more than helpful and have had great customer service and honored the warranty that they gave me without any hesitation. I'm just trying to see if maybe some of you guys might have any ideas as to what would have caused this, and how long my truck may be down for. They want to look into it more and couldn't give me an estimate of how long the repair might take.

For further reference they rebuilt the entire tranny with all new parts including a billet housed triple plate torque converter. Before it started this a couple of weeks ago it was fine and had way more power than the stock tranny seemed to have.

 

Wonder if they changed that mechanicle diode, that was wrong with mine and most f250's before 2002. Kind of sounds like that with whats going on. Im no tranny expert but I had mine rebuilt and its completey awesome, very smooth and well worth the 1500.00 I had invested which included a new torque converter and tugger kit.

 

A transmission that has power? That's an interesting concept.....I suppose that if you built a trans with enough power you wouldn't need an engine. That could save a lot of fuel!

A bad solenoid is a very minor repair. The pan comes off, a bolt or two removes the old solenoid, and start putting it back together.

The mechanical diode was only used in the diesel trans from the start of the 2001 model year until March, 2001. That's a total of about 9 months.

 

sounds like you may have had a slipping tc before you had your trans rebuilt. That made a world of difference for me. Not new power, just recovered lost power with the new converter.

The solenoid pack is a simple change and can cause all kinds of shifting issues. I keep one in stock, they are relatively cheap and easy to change. Think of it as the replacement for band adjustments and modulators.


At least your tranny shop is trying. I took my 06 to a dealer and told them EXACTLY how to duplicate the problem and they would not even try. Same idea, had to get the trans up to temp and its hard to do when your tech just takes it up the the block to mcdonalds.

Now that I have been through a couple (3) 4r100 trannys, I am not to scared to tackle a newer model

 

Check this, Marks dislikes me for this because he sez it ain't so!
But It worked for me.

 

Those of us that have been around here just a bit longer have a LOT of faith in Mark's knowledge.

When it comes to 4R100's, if he says it's so, it's so.

Pop

 

Marv, I think Mark's knowledge is second to none, and I admit I'm a complete newbie, but it doesn't hurt to check. All I'm saying is it seemed to work for me. Opporative word "seemed" , I have yet to have much mileage on this seeminlg simple "fix". Certainly no offense to Mark and his unselfish shareing of his knowledge.

 

My truck had the mechanical diode replaced already by the previous owner and to correct my self, the transmission seemed much stronger after it was rebuilt. I have plenty of faith in the guys who rebuilt it, they know exactly what they are doing. I was just wondering how hard it was to replace the solenoid pack and how long it might take.

 

I would say about an hour to do. (9) T-30 Torx head screws, (1) 10mm head nut, and the harness plug, after the pan is removed.

 

No I don't dislike you for this, and I didn't say it isn't so. I said it IS a problem, just not the problem you're having.

 

That would be a nice fuel savings wouldnt it

Anyways, while a trans doesn't quite have power, a well built aftermarket trans such as a BTS or JW definitely transfer more power from the engine to the driveline over the factory slush box.

 

Thanks for all the help guys for all the help... we shall see what the problem turns out to be when I talk to the tranny shop later on today.

 

How?

If the torque converter is locked at better times there will be more power transmitted. That's a function of the software, not the transmission. Or if the torque converter is a higher torque ratio, or just more efficient.

How will a better built trans transmit more power?

 

I'm not a trans expert by any means, but a quality triple disc converter is definetly an improvement with its increased surface area and holding power. It is much more efficient than the stock version.

More holding power of extra clutches and more pressure to the apply piston via the tugger kit and the pump that is less prone to leakage as the factory one=more holding power. MOre holding power=less slippage. Less slippage=more efficent power transmitted from the engine to drive train.

Thats how I process it in my brain...but,

If you want the bare bones explanation, call 870-422-FORD. Im sure Brian will give you all the reasons you need. The factory trans is sub par at best, especially at increased power levels IMO. I guarantee you that you could take a stock trans and a BTS trans dyno the stock one, put the BTS in and dyno again and you would get a physical increase.