E4OD won't shift into OD...

cbuttre835 · Nov 11, 2012

Headed to town tonight, truck got to 45 MPH which is where it generally shifts into OD... and I got a hard shake and the RPM didn't drop. Much. It did a little.

Didn't feel like the TC was locked either; I hit the OD off button to see if the light was good and it "shifted" back into direct (D).

I checked the temp gauge and in a mile it went from 125 to 180. Truck never runs over 125 empty since I bypassed the radiator cooler.

So I turned around; it is only shifting twice it feels like... and it hits direct at a really low RPM. But I didn't get a flashing OD light of death. It may be only taking off in second; I can't tell what gear it's in.

Fluid looks perfect and doesn't smell bad.

Anything I can check with a cheapo Palm scan tool? It does have the Ford enhancements, I can run buzz tests, etc... ???

brian89 · Nov 11, 2012

what all do you have done to your truck?

Cat_rebel · Nov 11, 2012

cbuttre835 said:
Didn't feel like the TC was locked either; I hit the OD off button to see if the light was good and it "shifted" back into direct (D).

I checked the temp gauge and in a mile it went from 125 to 180. Truck never runs over 125 empty since I bypassed the radiator cooler.

So I turned around; it is only shifting twice it feels like... and it hits direct at a really low RPM. But I didn't get a flashing OD light of death. It may be only taking off in second; I can't tell what gear it's in.

Fluid looks perfect and doesn't smell bad.

Anything I can check with a cheapo Palm scan tool? It does have the Ford enhancements, I can run buzz tests, etc... ???

To me it sounds like you have OD but your converter is toast. Same with your temps running way hotter, if the converter isn't locked it's just spinning around making heat.

cbuttre835 · Nov 12, 2012

@Brian -- I have 225 swamps injectors and tune, sonnax valve and tricumulator springs in 1-2 and D-OD shift. Dual hayden 1679 coolers and a magnefine filter. Ran the 2-D shift spring but it was really harsh so I took it out after a couple of weeks. I have intake / exhaust / HX hose and all that. 351 RWHP is all. Truck has been modded about 8-9 years.

@Cat -- yea, I didn't try to feel which were shifts and / if the TC locked up. I was more concerned with just limping back home. Might putter around the block in it tomorrow if I finish the other truck up and see what gives.

Cat_rebel · Nov 12, 2012

Did yoiu check the fluid yet? If that converter went tits up it more than likely started sending shaving through your whole tranny/lines/cooler. When my TC went out it would hang shifts then finally bang in a hard but never threw a OD light. When it got torn down the valve body & the rest of the was full of junk. I'd be looking around for a tranny guy.

cbuttre835 · Nov 12, 2012

yea it looked perfect and didn't smell burnt. but I was looking at it with a flashlight.

I got emails sent to folks already checking on a rebuild.

How much trouble and what's involved in dropping a tranny? I've heard 4-5 hours.

Mark Kovalsky · Nov 12, 2012

Are you going to change the trans without any diagnostics? What if the new trans does the same thing because the problem wasn't in the transmission, but in the sensors or wiring outside the transmission?

cbuttre835 · Nov 12, 2012

Mark Kovalsky said:
Are you going to change the trans without any diagnostics? What if the new trans does the same thing because the problem wasn't in the transmission, but in the sensors or wiring outside the transmission?

I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for something simple.... what can be done w/ various simple tools?

Mark Kovalsky · Nov 12, 2012

Not a lot can be done with simple tools. With a volt/ohmmeter one can diagnose the wiring harness and see if there are opens or shorts. With a good scan tool one can read data and see if the inputs to the PCM are good, or if it is seeing bad data, causing it to make bad decisions.

cbuttre835 · Nov 12, 2012

I haven't looked to see which data are available on my old Palm scan tool. It is "ford enhanced" - I can run buzz tests and such -- but it is not a full fledged tool. I have voltmeters and can probably borrow an oscilloscope.

Mark, can you point me in the direction of a set of schematics or troubleshooting guide? I've got an offer to help diagnose it from a buddy who works at a shop but its 30 miles away.

brian89 · Nov 12, 2012

cbuttre835 said:
yea it looked perfect and didn't smell burnt. but I was looking at it with a flashlight.

I got emails sent to folks already checking on a rebuild.

How much trouble and what's involved in dropping a tranny? I've heard 4-5 hours.

If its your first time dropping one and your alone, i would set aside a weekend for out and back in

cbuttre835 · Nov 12, 2012

brian89 said:
If its your first time dropping one and your alone, i would set aside a weekend for out and back in

Ugh. It'll go to a shop whole if need be.

Been doing some reading, looks like the OD clutch maybe, just based on others' symptoms. Sudden "pop", sluggish when going forward; does better when OD cancelled. What I took for a downshift back to direct is possibly the coast clutch coming in and helping when I press the OD cancel button. Haven't tried putting the selector in 2 or 1 to further verify. Mark?

Jessiah · Nov 18, 2012

Check your tail lights. I tried to use LEDs and the transmission wouldnt go into over drive. Switched back to regular lights and its been shifting fine.

Mark Kovalsky · Nov 18, 2012

LEDs won't keep the trans from shifting into overdrive. They can keep the torque converter from locking.

Cat_rebel · Nov 18, 2012

Mark Kovalsky said:
LEDs won't keep the trans from shifting into overdrive. They can keep the torque converter from locking.

:whs: I had that issue when I converted mine to a flatbed & switched lights. However I don't feel that's the OP's issue.

cbuttre835 · Nov 21, 2012

What Cat said; I have TC unlocking issues on the other truck due to a brake light and know well what that feels like. Something has broke or is not functioning properly in this truck. Ugh.

85_305 · Nov 27, 2012

Mark Kovalsky said:
LEDs won't keep the trans from shifting into overdrive. They can keep the torque converter from locking.

Cat_rebel said:
:whs: I had that issue when I converted mine to a flatbed & switched lights. However I don't feel that's the OP's issue.

lol these trucks kill me man. incredible.

Bobby@cp · Nov 27, 2012

85_305 said:
lol these trucks kill me man. incredible.

Then do tell what the issue is.....

Sent from the left lane with the hammer down...

85_305 · Nov 27, 2012

what the **** are you talking about, troll. I was laughing at what they said.

cbuttre835 · Nov 27, 2012

Yea weird things happen when taillight circuit impedances change. I cannot find a good theory of operation or stick diagram or wiring diagram or anything. Gonna head to the shop maybe Friday, tired of working on trucks.