E150 Transmission questions
 

First of all, there are 17 bolts on the pan of my transmission on my 93 e150. The transmission code on the door tag is G. From all my research, the 17 bolts means it can only be a C6. And, if it's a C6 it only has 3 gears. So here's the thing. Mine has 4. My problem is it's not going into 4th after I ran out of fluid on a trip. I had the filter and fluid changed, MerconV, and it would shift into 4th until it got hot, about 45 mins driving and then only go up to 3rd which makes it rev quite high past 55mph. Now it's not going into 4th at all, cold or hot.

Now I've counted the gears numerous times and there are absolutely 4. The first 3 feel like normal gear shifts and the 4th feels like an overdrive as it kicks in normally between 55 and 60 and you just hear a slow drop in engine speed and it starts going faster without pressing more on the gas. Well, that's what it used to do anyway.

My problem is what the heck kind of transmission do I have in the first place? I can't get anyone to help me because they just say oh it's s 3 speed. But that's simply not the case. Help me in my twilight zone delima.

Thank you for any and all input.

Your 93 came with the E4OD, not C6. You must have the push-button / light at the end of the shifter, no?

No, no button or anything regarding it having an overdirve. Steering colum shifter only has 1 2 D. It's wierd. Plus the 17 bolt pan would not allow it to be the E40D from what I've reseasrched. That has 20 bolts on the pan.

If that's the case, are you confusing TC lock-up as the overdrive? 20-bolts for e4od? That does not sound right...

Which engine do you have?

Then engine is a V6, I believe 4.9L. TC, does that stand for Torque Converter lock-up. I don't know what that is but does it have a similar effect to over drive?

Sort of, yes.

So my problem may be with my torque converter is what you're saying? That would explain the symtoms. Would that cause it to rev high at 55mph+?

TC lock-up is supposed to do exactly what you described:


Since you ran it without fluid, I would guess that the clutches got burnt.

Next step would be to take the van to a reputable transm shop. They will take pressure readings from the Transm and come-up with a diagnosis (about $ 100). Most likely they will tell you "tranny is toast; it needs re-building".

Before you commit to that, take a print-out of their pressure readings and post them here again.

I was afraid of that. Funds are at all time low so a rebuild is not vialble. It would cost more than I paid for the van. I'll get it checked to make sure and post the readings.

Thanks for all your help

C6 was built and perfected by Ford for three decades. It took Ford another decade to develop it into the 4R100. E4OD was that decade-long transition.

C6 are not as picky as their successors. You might be able to swap another one in. 4.9 + C6 is a very nice combination, desirable to many. Go to car-part.com. You might be able to get a used unit for $ 200-250.

Thanks Henry. I will give that a try, I can swing a few hundred. Thanks for solving the mystery, torgue converter not locking up fully explains it.

Will report back in a few days.

Jim

If you can't DIY, many shops can swap transm for $ 350-400.

But first, I would flush the fluid one last time, though.

Rebuilding a C-6 is cheaper than an overdrive transmission, get it rebuilt, a friend has 340,000 on his 95 E-150 300 I-6, and C-6, neither have been rebuilt, and I know this to be true. This is the best setup for longevity Ford ever designed, with the old twin I-beam arrangement they would go on for years with simple maintenance, I would love to have his van even now as it is.