Hi Folks,

2001 F350 (50k miles). I was heading out last night pulling my 5th wheel, I switched off my overdrive (which I always do when pulling below 50mph) and about 10 miles in to the trip the transmission starts to cycle between gears. When I switch the overdrive on, everything seems fine (no cycling), switch it off and it starts cycling again. No engine light on or anything flashing, everything appears normal except this rapid cycling of gears when the overdrive is off.
Any ideas what might be causing it?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Mark

 

When selecting the o drive switch does it go into overdrive or stay in 3rd?

 

I don't take my truck out of OD while towing. If it needs to down shift, it will. I will take it out of OD while going down hill.

 

It goes in to OD and everything seems fine at that point.

 

check that the O/D wiring isn't shorting out. there is a spot where the wires chafe going over the steering column

 

Thanks, I'll check that, would be an easy fix, fingers crossed.

 

Any update on if that was the problem?

 

Took it in to the shop on Monday, they called me last night and said it looks like it could be the TC or a clutch or something. It is doing it with the OD on or off now and getting worse (by the time I got it to the shop it wouldn't go in to first gear at all).

They were going to pull the pan today and take a look and let me know later, but from what they were saying, sounds like it might be a rebuild.

So, next question is; what should I do with the rebuild? I've seen a couple of links for heavy duty parts and TC's, and a couple for ready built trannys (BTC and TCI etc.).

What would you guys suggest if I wanted to make the tranny bullet proof for towing?

 

The new Ford re-manufactured 4R100 transmissions are supposed to be much stronger than stock. Might be cheaper than a rebuild.

 

Hmm, have to look at that. Looking at several ideas right now.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

My 2011 super duty, V-10 started having some shift problems going down grade,,the O/D button didn't want to disengage,,by pressing the button or stepping on the brake, it finally did. When I got home,,the trans was leaking fluid through the pan gasket. The dealler couldn't "duplicate" the problem and said the the trans was OK!!!,,yet it was doing funny things and leaked. No evidence of over heating,,the temp gauge was normal. Am planning a trip this weekend and expect the same to happen again,,what do I tell the next Ford dealer when I have it towed in??

 

Ok, so it's confirmed, the tranny needs rebuilding, there are parts of "something" floating around in there.

So, the guy who has my truck says he'll charge me $1,300 in labor for the rebuild plus parts. Couple of questions;

- Is that a reasonable labor charge?

- What parts should I get put in there if I decide to go with this guy?

 

How is this in any way related to the 4R100 topic you posted this in? If you want an answer you'll be MUCH more likely to get one if you start your own topic.

 

$1300 seems reasonable. If this is a reputable transmission shop and not a national chain I would probably go for it.