290 Degree tranny fluid

[cj7_lhc]

Thought I would start a new thread so as not to divert interest in trdragons44 post.

Originally posted by cj7_lhc
our 2002 is doing the same thing. It's the wife's and she called while out of town several weeks ago saying the od was flashing. I finally got to look at it tonight. I have the autotap software for fords so I can look into the computer. The check enging light is not on but I have a P1783 code that says transmission overtemperature. The engine temp is running ~200F and the trans fluid is running at ~290F. I pulled the neg side of the battery for several minutes which reset the od light. My next steps are to search the net further and look at the coolant system for a possible flushing and drain the trans fluid.

Not sure if it helps you, just sharing my findings. Good luck

Originally posted by chuck s
290°F! Yikes, you've probably fried it! What's she towing?

I tow a 3k pound boat to the lake about 10 times a year but it's only a 20 mile round trip..

-- Chuck

Originally posted by AvroAero
290? Ouch tranny

Here's an update. Several days after my first post I hit the garage floor to change the trans fluid. The fluid was dark in color but still had a tint of red. It did have a slight burnt smell to. The bottom of the pan had a layer of black flim which I take as the residue from the clutch plates, but no metal. Also disconnected the trans cooler lines to blow out the cooler. Was not able to drain the tc. Also flushed and changed the coolant system.

Put everything back together and went for another ride. The engine temp was still at 200 while the trans fluid pretty much stayed at 220ish. Well several days later the wife says the light is on again. Hooked up the pc and sure enough after 45 minutes it was hitting 280 degrees. This time I took a thermo gun with me. I shot the bottom of the pan and it was 240, and shot the cooler line going back to the trans and it was 160ish. So now it's time to seek out a trans shop.

Went to a shop that has done several jobs for me in the past and has been in business for 25 years. He also thinks if the temp did reach 290 i could not drive it anymore. As we talked he mentioned the fluid pressure which I also collected on the pc. I mentioned my findings of 90psi and he informed me of several different tests to conduct. Start the truck, foot heavy on the brake, place in drive and floor it for several seconds, the psi should be 160-210 and do the same for reverse which should be 220-260psi. Again that's not what I saw on the laptop. He then loaned me one of his gages to do an actual reading coming off the tranny. Did this last week and the gage readings were right in the desired span. So things are now pointing to something electronic. Remember I don't drive this expy, the wife was reporting several other funky things going on. I have read that the PCM needs a specfic voltage to operate correctly. It's been several years so I replaced the battery. The O/D light is not coming on anymore although the laptop readings still show an incorrect fluid temp and the wife says it's running better. So the saga continues.

 

[trdragons44]

like i said i pulled a P1728 code. i talked to my tranny teacher (who is a god with them). he said when the fluid gets burnt it allows the clutch plates to slip the more they slip the worse they get (they smooth out and don't grab) which is what is causing my code.

 

[chuck s]

cj --

Are you saying the transmission temperature is bogus and the readings (electronics) are giving false values?

Towing a couple hundred miles and 5000 pounds of camper in 90°/90% conditions at turnpike speeds last weekend the transmission temperature maybe peaked at 195° but remained in the 180°s for the trip. By my ODB2 readings.

-- Chuck

 

[cj7_lhc]

Yeah it's pointing in that direction. The fluid pressure on my obd has been proven wrong and I'm leaning the same way about the fuid temp. I just towed the boat Friday and the trans worked as it should. I will continue to troubleshoot.

 

[cj7_lhc]

Well the trans continues to work with out fault. No flashing O/D light and towed the boat again without problems. The wife says it still hesitates or jerks every now and then. Still looking for the issue.

 

[AvroAero]

Good, hope the hesitation isn't much.

 

[cj7_lhc]

Update:

I had an extended warrenty on this expo but found out last Dec the company, API, filed for bankruptcy. I had to shell out 900 for Ford to fix an oil leak on the engine. Go figure, 80 in parts the rest in labor. I figured if I had any chance to get reimbursed I needed to stay with Ford. Anyway, just found out another company picked up the warrenty and the expo is at the dealership for this problem. The warrenty ends Dec 30 of this year.

So the OD light was flashing again the same day we found out the news and also had a transmission leak . Took it in and they dropped the pain to replace a sensor when they found metal shavings. I stopped by this afternoon to witness my self. The leak was coming from the VSS plug and that has been replaced. So things have changed.

Since I can't produce any service records for the transmission the warrenty company won't authorize futher work. I have to do that. If Ford can find an actual failed part then the warrenty company will pony up for a new trans. If not then I'm on the hook for it.

My options:
1) Continue with Ford and I'm on the hook for a minimum of 1400 to inspect for a failed part.
2) If no failed part this could be 3000 out of my wallet.
3) Put it back to gether and drive until it fails, then drop and replace in my garage.
4) Put it back to gether and take to a trans shop that "will find somthing wrong" and wil be picked up by the warrenty.

I have to decide Tuesday morning. :barf:

 

[cj7_lhc]

Well the expo is back in our garage feeling much better. The dealership found a metal plate chewed up and the warrenty company paid to have the failed parts replaced. The bill came to $1956 and all I had to pay was $46

Here are names of the major parts, plate asy - drive / driven plate - steel, clutch asy and all the gaskets, seals and new sensor that measures the trans oil temp.

Cheers to the service rep Diane. Was very encouraging in our decision to go forward. She told me things would work out for us.
:rockband: :rockband:

I guess my diagnosis was off base. I'll keep my day job.