I have a 2002 F150 XLT FX4, 4.6V8 4WD

I recently traded in my trusty '97 on this one and it has a couple problems.

It will not shift into OD when cold. By cold I mean winter in Ohio - twenties and below so far this year. It will shift normaly a bit after the engine reaches operating temp and is much more likely to act up in the mornings. Sitting in the parking lot at work all day does not cause the problem unless it is extreamly cold - single digit temps.

I wonder if it may not be electrical for the following reason. I don't like the auto door lock feature so I program it off - which only lasts until the key is turned off - then it resets to defaul auto-lock.

Fluid level and condition is good. Does Ford still use a modulator valve on the tranny? At times I think I see a puff of smoke, but it doesn't seem to smell like ATF burning.

Thanks for any help/ideas.

 

I had this happen on my car last winter. I know you said the fluid level and condition are good, but I would get the tranny serviced, if it hasn't been done in a while. I had mine flushed and serviced and it shifts much better now, even when cold.

 

Mine doesn't hit OD until the TFT is 85* I have heard others say this as well.

 

I have a 2002 with a 5.4 and mine does the same thing on cold mornings. After I drive about 3 miles it will change into OD.

 

ditto on this. my 2002 4.6 does the same exact thing. gotta warm up a bit for OD kicks in. i think its more of a design blunder than a actual problem with your truck

 

my 02 does the same....then about 5 miles down the road od kicks in.....dont think anything is wrong with it, it just has to warm up!

 

It's by design. The computer won't let it shift into OD or lock the torque converter till the fluid is warm.

 

Mines the same way. If you let it run for about 10-15 minutes before you drive it everything's normal.

 

Heres your reason.

if you have an auxiliary oil cooler for your trans, that may be keeping things cool enough for a long enough period of time to irritate you.

 

Thanks for all the responses. Sure enough, it's by design. I called my local Ford dealership and asked and they will not use OD until they reach op-temp. It's odd, but I can accept it; at least I don't have to freak out about it any more - well, okay I didn't freak out but I thought something might be broke.

I did ask why it was designed that way and the gentleman in the service department couldn't say. It's open for discussion if anyone cares to offer an opinion/knowlege.

Again, thanks for all the quick replies.

 

X2

there is NOTHING wrong. tranny has to warm up. computer is set for this. a guy i work with had an 04 explorer, his did the same thing. btw i live in erie county PA so i know about the whole temperature and snow crappyness lol

 

I think every auto. car that I have had has done this.

 

It's to help the engine and transmission warm up faster.

 

And I would assume the reason for THAT is emissions - to get it into closed loop faster.

 

That and to get the heater working sooner. That makes drivers happy.