Well,
you read it. Not sure what is wrong but had it towed to the transmission shop. Left the office today and when I was backing out of my parking spot I put it in Drive and it revved like it was in neutral. Dropped to 1st and it went into gear. Then put it in Drive and it seemed o.k., but I knew something was wrong.

Proceeded to drive and everything seemed normal. Except when I was cruising down the interstate. Seems if I punch it going 55 it slips. Not sure how to describe it. Also when cruising at 60-70, I pressed the OD off button on the shifter and it came out of gear and revved like it was in neutral. By this point I'm thinking oh ****e! There is a story behind this tranny. I had a well-respected transmission guy (and friend) install a Transgo shift kit and he could never get it right. I started to worry about it some when he said he hadn't use the Transgo on the 4R70W. Blaming the transgo, he installed a Shift Technologies, Superior Shift Kit. Everything worked fine for about 2 months (until today). I almost reached the house and was going to make a left turn. Waiting on traffic in the oncoming lane, I dropped it down in first to see if it would stay in gear. Guess what? no first, no second, no drive, no nothing (except reverse). I pushed the truck off the road. Removed my chip, reset the computer and still nothing (I didn't expect the chip but was trying everything). Going down to the shop in the morning to see the diagnosis. Wish me luck guys.

 

f150,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sounds like the forward clutch pack is toast. If that pack gets fried, no forward at all, no matter which forward gear you select. Does your tranny fluid smell burnt or is it discolered to brown vs the cheery red color of fresh fluid? Hope you get it fixed soon.

Just wondering.

~DM~

 

Fluid on the stick looks good. Doesn't smell burnt. Do you think that the shift kit caused it? Do you think it could be something with the kit itself? As it was happening, over a 20 minute period, it got progressively worse. I just don't know what could've happened. I've only got 58,000 miles on it and have service it at 30,000 and 57,000 (when I did the mods). We'll see. I'm just having a hard time explaining to my wife why I'm spending more money. I bolted on $2000 in upgrades including the tranny and had a perfectly fine running vehicle before this. Just got bit by the performance upgrade bug and thought I was doing my truck a favor by installing the tranny upgrades. We'll see but this really sucks. Really discouraging.

 

f150,

You got AIM or MSN instant messenger?

~DM~

 

Think I got Instant Messenger... want to chat?

 

sure, mine is daveman. Ring me up...

 

How do I Instant Message?

 

I think you just try to connect using daveman. If that doesn't work, then leave yours and I try to connect to you.

 

mine is jay_waller@hotmail.com

I tried daveman but it didn't work. You're using MSN Messenger right?

 

Update.... Went to the tranny place this morning where my truck was towed. Its going to be Monday before I know anything. This sucks guys. If the fluid wasn't burnt and brown then its probably not anything burned up right?

 

Jay,

Sorry that no one else is helping you. I've reviewed the clutch and band application chart and it seems to support my original diagnosis of a fried forward clutch pack.

BTW, I've ruined transmissions five minutes after they were built, it doesn't take long at all if the clutch pack pressure drops below the minimal level needed to transfer the required torque. All it takes is a torn or broken forward clutch pack piston seal and it'll go in a matter of minutes, even if it was just freshly rebuilt. You can fry a brand new tranny quickly and never get the fluid up to operating temperature, just ask some drag racers who have fried units off the line in seconds if pressures drop quickly.

I don't think the fluid has to necessarily be brown or burnt in your case since as you described it "Seems if I punch it going 55 it slips." this could have finished the forward clutch pack off Jay.

Overdrive or 4th, doesn't use the forward clutch pack at all, but first, second and third do. When you punched it on the interstate, it would've dropped down from overdrive to third and simultaniously unlocked the t/c and this would require that the forward clutch transmit all the load of the truck, and you said it seemed to be slipping, sounds clearly like the forward clutch pack to me. I hope it's something simple man, but if you've got it at a reputable trans shop, they'll find the problem fast.

Good luck and keep us, or at least me, posted.

~DM~

 

Thanks for the response. Yeah, sounds like it really could be the forward clutch pack. We'll see. At this point I just want it back. Should I get them to go ahead and re-install the Transgo while they are at it? Do you think my shift kit problems could've caused this? I really do want a kit in it but am a little gun shy.

 

f150,

The shift kit, if installed properly, should improve the life of the transmission, not shorten it. The only time the kit could reduce transmission life is if something was done wrong or something has come loose and required pressure has been lost.

There is one aspect of the Transgo kit that cannot be reversed and that is the Electronic Pressure Control (EPC) mod and I don't recommend doing it. The EPC mod requires that you drill into the valve body cover plate which cannot be undrilled. The seperator plate can be easily replaced and I guess the cover plate could be as well but a new, or a good used, valve body would be the best bet unless you can ensure 100% that it's the same exact type and version.

Please read the thread called "Transgo shift kit" as I've posted over there about my experiences with my Transgo install.

~DM~

 

daveman, i'm not sure about your statement in regards to the 4r70w...however i know some fully electronic trannies have built in torque management software to help protect the tranny from wear and tear and a shift kit could overide this. however, you are prolly right about the 4r70w since it is only partially electronic i believe...maybe someone can set me straight.

 

Update...Tranny shops is convinced that it is deeper than the Valve body. Looks like Daveman was correct. They are tearing it completely apart and will give me the diagnosis. Went to a reputable nationwide dealer (Cottman). Their fee is $325 to tear it completely down and tell me what is wrong, which will be credited back to the repair bill. I will also have a warranty on the transmission when done, which will be nice.

More to come....