Horrible shifting!

OuchThatHurt · Nov 6, 2014

So I bought my 96 F250 Auto about a month ago. From the start the shifting was wacky. The truck has a Ford factory trans in it with about 80K miles. First gear usually revs out to the point where I wanna let off the pedal so it will shift easier. Second gear only lasts for maybe 2 seconds then shifts directly into 3rd. 3rd to 4th shifts normally.

Now I have tunes from Gearhead and it does the same thing in all the tunes.

First questions. Do the tunes raise line pressure and mess with shifting like on the newer trucks? Its an E40D w/ OD.

Second question. Will Dieselsites VB fix some of the shifting issues? ( i have heard good things about the VB) ...and would i need to get new tunes with that VB

thanks!

Mark Kovalsky · Nov 6, 2014

I have no idea what the tunes do or don't do.

The first thing to do is get the codes read to see if the PCM has detected a problem. The places that read codes free CANNOT read these codes. You need either a good independent shop or a Ford dealer.

gnxtc2 · Nov 6, 2014

Yes, tuners can increase line pressure for shifting strategy.

Did you buy the trans used or from the dealer as a Reman? If used, did anyone put a shift kit in it or increase the size of the boost valve? Tuners need to know the size of the boost valve so they can properly set line pressure.

Billy T.
[email protected]

mandkole · Nov 6, 2014

sounds like you bought the truck shifting crappy? How does the trans shift with stock tuning?

Its not sounding like a tuning issue -- to Marks point, you'll first need to get it to a shop who can read the codes and help you understand what you bought. That will likely require tearing into it and Id remove any tuning until you know more....

zilla68 · Nov 6, 2014

mandkole said:
sounds like you bought the truck shifting crappy? How does the trans shift with stock tuning?

Its not sounding like a tuning issue -- to Marks point, you'll first need to get it to a shop who can read the codes and help you understand what you bought. That will likely require tearing into it and Id remove any tuning until you know more....

Now I have tunes from Gearhead and it does the same thing in all the tunes.

apparently it had this issue before gearhead tunes.
did you buy the tunes NEW from gearhead?

79jasper · Nov 6, 2014

Doesn't the map sensor have something to do with shifting strategy?
What's the fluid look/smell like?

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Mark Kovalsky · Nov 7, 2014

All of the sensors have something to do with the shifting strategy.

OuchThatHurt · Nov 13, 2014

Thanks Mark Kovalsky. I will get the codes checked the next chance i get.

David N · Nov 13, 2014

Pull the chip and see how it shifts.

That'll tell you if it's the chip or not.

OuchThatHurt · Nov 14, 2014

It shifted the exact same way before the chip. I honestly dont think the TS 6 position did anything for my sifting at all. At least nothing feels different.

needen$77 · Nov 16, 2014

Mine was doing that after a rebuild and found out it had a bad accumulator valve (at least that what they said when they warrantied it)

OuchThatHurt · Nov 17, 2014

ok, ill do some research and see what the hell that is! LOL. might just get the vlv body from diesel sie and see if that fixes it.

needen$77 · Nov 21, 2014

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/ford/1002dp_e4od_hard_shift_transmission_repair/photo_02.html

found this, might help you

brettboat · Nov 24, 2014

That's just how an e4od is... A valvebody and your tuner can help though. 2nd to 3rd is almost always a weird shift, even with my BTS. 2nd is a very short gear.

OuchThatHurt · Nov 25, 2014

it just shifts freaking weird... it doesnt really slip or anything... lol its hard to explain. sometimes it seems like it has a shift flare... then sometime it slams into the gear hard enough to make me think i have axle wrap because the truck lurches. Maybe i just need to run it til it breaks and then throw a whole new unit in there... :/