Have a 1990 extended cab with E4OD rebuild 3yrs. ago. Oil has been professionally pumped out yearly and new filter kits installed. Never any dirt, very clean. Recent problem started. In mornings when truck is cold, or if truck sits for a bit, transmission will not shift into overdrive until it travels 3-5 miles. Once it shifts (no hard bangs or noise) everything is fine until the next shut down. Same problem again, until it is ready to shift. Speed is usually around 40-50 mph. All other shifts are fine at any time and at the normal speeds.
Any ideas or same problems? and how did you fix it?

 

You can't fix it, there's nothing wrong.
The torque converter clutch won't lock until the transmission warms up. The problem should go away as summer arrives. Then it won't get cold enough overnight for this to happen.

 

Thanks for response Casey1, but problem just started and it worked fine during the colder days this year. Truck is in Canada. Makes sense though that heat has something to do with it.

 

Did you recently add a trans cooler?
I noticed this happened with my Dakota, after I installed a cooler. Dealership also advised me the TQ wont engage until it warms up alittle.

 

Yes we did add the largest trans. cooler, but that was 2 yrs ago now. It worked fine up until about 3 wks ago. Checking to see if a sensor is involved in the shift re: oil temp. Does seem to be regulated by temp. New thermostat last night, no difference.
Thanks for response...JimR1

 

I added a cooler in the fall of last year and noticed it didnot lock up until the temp cam up.
Now with the transmission temp gage, I won't lock up untill the gage starts to lift off 100* or about 3 miles depending on the outside temp.

 

Thanks for the response Bluegrass. According to the local mister transmission shop, I have a problem with the seal set controlling pressure on both the reverse and the overdrive clutches. Of course they want to do the 2000.00 dollar tranny job. I agree with you that it is a temp. control, and we will wait and see what warmer days brings.

 

Ask Mister transmission if this is the case with my 2003 Dakota with 25,000 miles on it, and Bluegrass' 2002 F150.

Really sounds like a dishonest trans shop to me.