I have a 99 F150 with the 4.6 and an auto. After shifting into second gear I sometimes get a slight decrease in power. It almost seams like another gear. The RPM's drop about 100-200, it almost feels like an A/C compressor is kicking on but I have the hvac set to off. I have counted gears and this is not third gear. What gives? Is this normal, if so what is it.

 

I wish search was turned back on.

It's the torque converter locking. It'll feel like another gear.

 

i could be wrong, but usually the torque converter won't lock up until after shifting into 3rd or 4th gear. it would be kinda unusual for it to lockup at such low speeds, wouldn't it?

 

i was thinking the same thing. why does it lock in such a low gear?

 

The TQ locks up in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Removing the 2nd gear lockup during WOT for the last half of second gear is how the Superchip helps utilize a substantial amount of torque.

 

I thought in the new auto's that there are actually only 3 gears in a 4 speed. I thought the fourth came from the torgue converter locking up. So if the tc locks up in 2,3,4, I should be able to feel it as well in 3 & 4 wouldn't I? I haven't noticed it in any other gears but maybe it does do it. I will check tomorrow. Also maybe it is not as well felt because of higher gears & less power at higher ratio's. Thanks guys

 

Silver&Blue
I'm not 100% sure on your question. I think the new 4spds are indeed 4 true spds. I know your 3rd gear is your 1 to 1 ration and OD puts you into .7?. I know I can be driving along and feel it shift into what I think is 4th and then just a little later I can see the RPM's dropp 250-500 RPM which should be the TC locking.

 

the torque converter locking up does sometimes indeed feel like the tranny has shifted gears. but, the tc locking up in itself is not a gear change...make sense?

 

I think I understand now guys, thanks for the help. This is my first auto and I wasn't sure if it was ok. I am glad to hear that it is.

 

I've notice this small rpm change after shift into second too. Always figured it was the TC. Thanks for the confirm. Now, here's what I don't understand. On a smooth gradual accerelation from stop. I sense 3 shifts and one TC lock between 2/3. Does that mean that the TC remains locked through the 2/3 and 3/4 shifts? I thought it would have to be disengaged to shift.

 

Don't think that drop in rpm is the TC. I've never heard of any TC locking in lower gears. Shift the tranny into 2nd for instance. Move the throttle and you'll see it ain't locked up. I could be wrong.

The drop in rpm in lower gears as far as I know is the computer retarding ignition timing to make it easier on the tranny and the rest of the drivetrain instead of a hard shock.

The aftermarket chips take the delay away.

 

I have a 2001 SuperCrew 5.4L with 41,000 miles with automatic transmission. Every so often when I am running in normal Drive gear (Overdrive on) the tranny is running in 3rd gear. It will do this for about 3 - 5 minutes and then back to normal. Any idea? I just had the tranny fluid changed at 36,000 miles. I do a lot of towing in the winter. Your inputs would be appreciated.

 

Your question in this thread makes a lot more sense.

Is it cold outside when the transmission won't shift into overdrive? If so, this is normal. When the transmission is cold it prevents the shift into overdrive until it warms up. This helps the engine and transmission get to operating temperature quicker, and helps the heater warm the cab faster.

Mark

 

Mines one the samthing before. Rolling long in 3rd ger and it never upshifts to 4th and doesn't downshift when you apply accelerator. Doesn't hapen often, tranny was not cold, can not duplicate problem. Basically on mine it just wouldn't downshift, it would run in 3rd all the way up to about 3000 RPM and just stay there. Only thing I figured was to change the fluid which did not help. Other than that I thought it may be internal of the tranny like a worn/broke shift solenoid or a sensor (maybe TPS).

 

Sounds normal to me.