'01 Trans problem
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
'01 Trans problem
*Trans build date: 3-26-01 198,000 miles Fluid looks and smells fine*
Today the '01 (automatic) started acting up. When the trans tried to shift from 2nd to 3rd, it didn't feel like it shifted all the way and there was alot of drag like deploying a parachute. Stopped and tried again, same thing. I stayed into it, and with a pretty good clunk it shoved on into 3rd and worked fine through the rest of gears and tc lock. Slowing down to turn on a road, it clunked hard and noticeably fell into 3rd with the old parachute feeling again. Close to home so just dropped it in 2nd and went on my way. It feels good and normal everywhere but that 3rd gear. Sound like the mechanical diode? I'm gonna use the ol' search function after I post this, but I think I remember those symptoms pointing to that diode. Might be wrong. The trans build date is right at the end of the mechanical diode run, so not sure if it even has it.
Today the '01 (automatic) started acting up. When the trans tried to shift from 2nd to 3rd, it didn't feel like it shifted all the way and there was alot of drag like deploying a parachute. Stopped and tried again, same thing. I stayed into it, and with a pretty good clunk it shoved on into 3rd and worked fine through the rest of gears and tc lock. Slowing down to turn on a road, it clunked hard and noticeably fell into 3rd with the old parachute feeling again. Close to home so just dropped it in 2nd and went on my way. It feels good and normal everywhere but that 3rd gear. Sound like the mechanical diode? I'm gonna use the ol' search function after I post this, but I think I remember those symptoms pointing to that diode. Might be wrong. The trans build date is right at the end of the mechanical diode run, so not sure if it even has it.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
{quote} AKLIM
In 01, Ford changed the way the trans was built and put a diode in it. Well, that went over like a lead balloon and it would lock up and do strange things. Feels like you have the e-brake on and it won't shift out of gear 2 or other things like that. When the diode gives a problem is hard to say.
Better way to put it, "Feels like you have the e-brake on and won't shift out of gear 2 or other things like that"
Looks like I'm yanking the tranny regardless, just thought I'd see what y'all had to say. (insert cricket sounds here)
In 01, Ford changed the way the trans was built and put a diode in it. Well, that went over like a lead balloon and it would lock up and do strange things. Feels like you have the e-brake on and it won't shift out of gear 2 or other things like that. When the diode gives a problem is hard to say.
Better way to put it, "Feels like you have the e-brake on and won't shift out of gear 2 or other things like that"
Looks like I'm yanking the tranny regardless, just thought I'd see what y'all had to say. (insert cricket sounds here)
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
Mechanical Diode is a trade name for a specific brand of one way clutch. The one Ford used was for the intermediate clutch. To use technical terms, it's way down in the middle of the transmission. 
If it fails the normal symptom is no 1-2 shift or it shifts only at high RPM after you lift off the go pedal. Other symptom are possible when pieces break off of the one way clutch.
If it fails the normal symptom is no 1-2 shift or it shifts only at high RPM after you lift off the go pedal. Other symptom are possible when pieces break off of the one way clutch.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
I had the Diode in my trans, Brian at BTS showed it to me. He even asked if I wanted to keep it. I said, I drove this far and spending this much money to take that POS out of my trans, so I darn sure don't want to take that home with me. 
.
Good luck. Who is going to build your trans?
.Good luck. Who is going to build your trans?
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
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From: Leander Texas
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Miller_Feed
I haven't decided who I'm gonna let build the trans. I like to keep my $ close to home, so I've been searching for top trans shops in Texas. That's not going so well. It's a big state, you'd think someone would have a shop with a great rep somewhere!?!? My uncle lives in Fort Smith AR., so BTS is looking like the best option so far. I do want a well built, reliable, warrantied trans but BTS trans are $$, and Arkansas is a long ways away. So to make a short story longer, the people in my head are still arguing over where to take my $, while the truck is just sitting there not being worked on. Brilliant!
Miller_Feed
I haven't decided who I'm gonna let build the trans. I like to keep my $ close to home, so I've been searching for top trans shops in Texas. That's not going so well. It's a big state, you'd think someone would have a shop with a great rep somewhere!?!? My uncle lives in Fort Smith AR., so BTS is looking like the best option so far. I do want a well built, reliable, warrantied trans but BTS trans are $$, and Arkansas is a long ways away. So to make a short story longer, the people in my head are still arguing over where to take my $, while the truck is just sitting there not being worked on. Brilliant!
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Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,037
Likes: 4
From: Grand Lake, La.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Miller_Feed
I haven't decided who I'm gonna let build the trans. I like to keep my $ close to home, so I've been searching for top trans shops in Texas. That's not going so well. It's a big state, you'd think someone would have a shop with a great rep somewhere!?!? My uncle lives in Fort Smith AR., so BTS is looking like the best option so far. I do want a well built, reliable, warrantied trans but BTS trans are $$, and Arkansas is a long ways away. So to make a short story longer, the people in my head are still arguing over where to take my $, while the truck is just sitting there not being worked on. Brilliant!
Miller_Feed
I haven't decided who I'm gonna let build the trans. I like to keep my $ close to home, so I've been searching for top trans shops in Texas. That's not going so well. It's a big state, you'd think someone would have a shop with a great rep somewhere!?!? My uncle lives in Fort Smith AR., so BTS is looking like the best option so far. I do want a well built, reliable, warrantied trans but BTS trans are $$, and Arkansas is a long ways away. So to make a short story longer, the people in my head are still arguing over where to take my $, while the truck is just sitting there not being worked on. Brilliant!
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
I've still got the truck in my sig, so getting it there's not a problem. The truck that's down my old man uses as his work truck. "work truck", now that's funny cause he doesn't do much "work"! I let him call BTS since he's gonna foot the bill, and he said the lady who answered wasn't very helpful just shooting him a price and kinda shooing him off the phone. Granted, I'm sure they're busy and dad doesn't know much about vehicles but that's not a good start for a $4,400 transmission. Certainly not trying to knock anyone, just passing on what he said. Guess I'll just call myself and get the low down.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
Just silly that way. I'm sure I'll just get one sent, we'll see. Still debating my final plan. Guess it depends on how much $ dad wants to part with!
Last edited by izzybird; Jul 7, 2010 at 01:29 PM. Reason: spellin
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
If I was to go to Arkansas, he would have to charge us Arkansas sales tax wich comes out to about half the cost to ship. Between sales tax, time, and fuel, the $ would add up quick. No sales tax in Texas, I would definitely get it shipped.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
I had him ship one to me in mid Missouri and then took a vacation in Branson Mo. a couple of weeks later. While in Branson I drove over to Lead Hill Ak (30 miles) to take back my old tranny (save shipping cost) and visited with Brian. While there he adjusted the shift points to my liking.
