Trans not shifting

[redrebel66]

My 97 EB 5.4 doesn't like to shift into OD until I've driven around a couple miles. Weird thing is it only does that when its cold. I haven't done a flush and filter change yet but was going to see if anyone had any insight.

It does have 200k on it but it has done this since i got it around 175k

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

if it's shifting to third fine and then shifting in/out of OD after warm up it may be a feature. going to OD lowers the revs and when cold, higher revs warm up the engine quicker. as long as it's not going too high it's fine.

Idk if ford implemented that but i know my past three cars all did that for that reason.

 

[redrebel66]

If that is the case then cool!! I've never had any other shifting problems other than this.

I'll pay a little more attention to engine temp when it does decide to shift and see if it's close to the same every time since I actually have a scan gauge hooked up.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

as long as it's shifting as it should otherwise you should be good

 

[nonwoven29]

Shift solenoid pack could be going south. If your going to drop the pan and r&r the filter and fluid you could do this test sense your in the area any how.

This is applicable to the E40D as well. Not certain about the 4r70w?

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[redrebel66]

Hey thanks for that. I'll definitely check it out when I drop the pan

 

[nonwoven29]

No problem buddy. Hope you get her all sorted out.

 

[hwy73]

I think Iminyourchair is on the right track with this.

Is it not shifting into overdrive until it warms up or is the torque convertor not locking until the trans warms a bit? which is normal operation I believe. This is done to bring the trans fluid up to operating temp. quicker, as an unlocked convertor generates more heat. The torque convertor lock-up can actually feel like another shift, but it is happening after the shift to 4th (overdrive). The next time you drive it from dead cold, try to count the shifts to see if it is shifting to overdrive, and then locking (with an rpm drop) after a few miles.

 

[IMINYOURCHAIR]

I would try to verify that for you but the road for 6 miles any direction from my home is all 35mph and for good reason, rough as hell, work is no go as it's stop/go for a few miles but limited to 45 for three miles after. You're right about the unlocked converter making more heat to bring up the trans fluid temp. IDK why I only mentioned the engine temp. transmissions have their cooler inside the radiator to pull heat from the engine as well as cool off when they are up to temp.

as far as TC lock up feeling as another shift, I wouldn't call it that. for me it feels like the TC locking up as I have learned to tell between the two. but the revs will drop when it kicks in

 

[splintrcel]

My truck does exactly the same thing. I think it just has to do with the transmission fluid being too viscous when its cold out. I dont think its a problem because my truck shifts fine. It will start using OD when the engine gets up to like 1/3 operating temp (i am aware that engine temp isnt related to transmission temp) which takes around 5 min of actual driving. Warming up the truck makes a difference because it gets the torque converter sloshing around generating heat via friciton.

 

[daoud elmassri]

U might have water or moisture in the tranny drain fuid blow out the lines huck up all lines refill and filter add new fluid. Hope this helps

 

[bedrck46]

Just my two cents worth I never paid attention to this until I read this post. While out this morning I did take notice that my trans also did not shift into OD until I had driven about 5 miles. I never paid any attention before but after having the same thing occur it does appear the this is normal due to the trans needed to warm up. Otherwise I normally do have very smooth shifting and when its warmer out the trans will shift into OD more quickly

 

[Lifesavr65]

I have same issue when it's cool/ cold out. Takes about 2-4 miles before it operates normally.

 

[1997SCEBFEX]

i have over 200K on my '97 & I'd describe this as standard operating procedure.
~41 mph and it goes into OD contingent upon road conditions (up grade etc.), accelerating (like an on ramp), load (i.e. trailering etc.) & will stay there even if slowing down in traffic to ~39 mph on a level grade, then will downshift.

I have the E4OD and its 4 shifts. I also service the trans every 25K when trailering and have an oversized trans pan that holds an extra 8 qts.

PanHandler.

 

[redrebel66]

Yup that sounds like mine exactly. Glad it's normal.

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