I was driving my 2002 ford F150 automatic today and all the sudden when I hit 2nd gear my vehicle felt like it was in neutral. RPMs would spike when I pushed the gas and no power. If I let off the gas and gave it a minute, it would seemingly go back into 1st & it would drive again. The vehicle does move forward on idle but I am getting no reverse (not even an idle) and there are no dash lights indicating a problem. I have a cheap Bluetooth OBD scanner that connects to my phone and it told me there were no diagnostic codes. I managed to get the vehicle home but as I sped up (hardly at all) it would seemingly slip out of gear and then slip back... it was really intermittent. So I'm thinking it's the transmission but since I have no codes to go by I thought I'd just ask everybody here on their thoughts in case it's something else I'm not aware of before I pay to get it towed to a shop. I'm not sure it would make it there driving to be honest.

Additionally, if it's the transmission, would it be worth fixing on a truck this old?

 

If the OD light isn't flashing, there probably aren't any codes. This does sound like an internal transmission issue, rebuild time.

 

Thanks, I bought the truck for $2750 several years ago. I'm glad it lasted me this long but it was kind of a surprise because there didn't seem to be any warning that the transmission was going out. Thanks for confirming but I don't think I want to spend 2 grand or more for a used/rebuilt transmission on a 22 year old truck

 

have you checked the trans fluid level or condition yet?

 

Yeah it was full and light pink ...so it looked good. I had a flush not too long ago as well.

 

Flushes can create problems, loosening dirt that can break loose and then get in valves and all the small components.

 

Have you ever drained/refilled the trannie fluids? It could be a TPS sensor going out, I heard of symptoms where the TPS could malfunction causing that type of thing.

 

BtW, have you checked the PNP switch, that can cause issues, I recall there was a bushing the cable attaches to in my previous ride that links to a shifting wand, I'd check the cable, linkage, and bushings too