need help identifying transmission part
 

I dropped the transmission pan on my 1998 F-250 today and I found this little guy sitting in the bottom. I have zero clue what it is. I've combed through my transmission component views and I can't figure out what the hell this is. I believe this transmission is the 4R70W.

I imagine the previous owner drinking and laughing with his buddies saying "hey, let's throw in this fishing bobber looking thingy just to freak out the next guy to drop the pan". Well ... I'm the next guy, and I'm only mildly freaked out. The transmission seemed to be running just fine. I dropped the pan to drain the fluid for an engine pull.

Any ideas?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...2c82298964.jpg

Thanks,
Steve
Kissimmee, FL

need help identifying transmission part
 

It's a plug that is in the dip stick tube until they put the stick in and push it out.

Thanks for the clarification. Into the trash it goes.

The bad news about that thing being in your pan is that means this is the first time your pan has ever been off. 17 years on the original filter and I would assume fluid to. Thats along time and who knows how many miles. If your tranny fails dont blame the fluid change.

Yeah, my initial thought on reading this was a relieved "ok ... its just something that comes off at the factory", followed shortly by a feeling of dread "oh **** ... its something that comes off at the factory".

220K miles on it. I'm changing the filter and hoping for the best.

Well they say the filter is made to last the "life" of the transmission.. Maybe you had a previous owner who had them do fluid exchanges that dont involve removing the pan. I wouldnt bet on it though.