ford e-150 overdrive slippage ?

my ford e-150 ,automatic transmission is slipping at 42 mph or so,especially up hill .fluid seems fine . is it time for a rebuild ? 80000 miles 1999 never towed anything,and is rarely loaded with weight ?as I understand it the "overdrive gear" is considered 4 th gear ? when I turn the overdrive off it doesn't slip .anyone have any input ???

 

I see no replies yet and thought I'd raise a question you may want to research before simply allowing someone needing the money, maybe, to 'rebuild' your transmission.

Based on everything you said, perhaps yours is activated by some vacuum or electronic system that is only partially completing it's job, and really isn't with the lockup inside the transmission, per se. I hope you get a definitive answer on this. You may have to do some checking around on this. Also see if there are any service bulletins out on your problem.

 

thanks ecman,I'm starting on it this week

 

If the fluid has never been changed, it's due for some new stuff regardless of how it looks
Also, check the fluid level e x a c t l y how the manual says
If they say warmed up and in N, then warm in up and put it in N

Check those first before considering rebuilding

 

thanks slickshift

 

Changing the fluid at this point in time WILL NOT FIX YOUR PROBLEM. I know that people say to do this anytime you have a trans. problem but let's look at the picture a different way.. If the braking system on your car was malfunctioning due to a sticking rotor, pads worn too thin, or a warped caliper would you change the brake fluid in the system and expect it to fix the problem?

I work at a transmission shop and I can tell you that in all of my years in this business, I have never seen a fluid change that miraculously cures problems. I don't blame people for WANTING a fluid change to fix a problem, but it is just not realistic to expect that to happen.

In your situation, I would probably recommend purchasing a product called "Shudder Fix" and adding it to the transmission before you do anything else. A common problem with all FORD products is torque converter shutter when it is commanded to lock-up which usually happens between 40-45MPH, depending on throttle position. After adding the shudder fix, drive it for at least 500 miles to give it a chance to circulate and be absorbed into the clutch material in the converter. If after adding the shudder fix the problem is solved, then I would go ahead and do a fluid & filter change, and put in a new bottle of "Shudder Fix" at the time of the service. Why not just change the fluid out in the first place? Because if I am wrong, which happens-you will be wasting all of the new fluid & filter kit when/if you have to go inside to do further repairs.

You say you can turn over-drive off with the button and it won't do it anymore? That's because when you lock out O/D, the converter won't lock up either. DON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH O/D TURNED OFF as you WILL cause further serious damage to your transmission!

Some other things I have to say about Ford cars....
#1 Car (Taurus-Sable) in the NATION for transmission problems.
#2 Most internal parts are stamped out of sheet metal
#3 I love them because they keep me in business!
#4 I have 23 cars on my lot in different stages of transmission repair. of those 23-14 are Fords!

Now I know you would love to label me as a Ford-Hater.. But you would be wrong. I started in this business because of my old Ford that used to blow up transmissions quite frequently. Now, I actually enjoy working on Fords because I get paid to do so. I drive a '95 Ford Ranger with a standard trans every day. So, if you want to call me a Ford hater-go ahead. I'm just stating the facts.

 

"I can tell you that in all of my years in this business, I have never seen a fluid change that miraculously cures problems"

This is true
A fluid change will not miraculously cure mechanical or computer problems
And I certainly appreciate your position

However, a fluid change can fix an overdrive slip if the slip is due to old or insufficient fluid
It is also a wise and prudent step to take if the fluid is older, as it may very well 'cure' the problem, and it probably needs new fluid anyway

I wouldn't suggest anything that I'd simply 'heard' somewhere
I can tell you I have seen and done this particular "trick" a dozen times
It doesn't alway work, but it can, and often does

IMO worth a few quarts of fluid to find out

 

thanks quys,armed with all this info gives me terrific starting points ,long term goal is to keep truck on the road a couple more years,no car payments....refalcon