93Skunk

1993 Automatic F-150 4x4.

Had a problem for a while now, and finally have the cash to look into fixing this, but I wonder if anyone can make me not seem so stupid when I go to the shop.

The truck is really slow to change gears, especially from reverse to drive. And there is problem with the over drive, at about 45 mph, when I press on the gas, it seems to have trouble finding the right gear.

I don't think it's the transmission, because it seems to be fine once it's in the gears, it just seems to have trouble getting in/out of them.

Is this most likely a clutch problem?
About how much is this going to cost at a reputable shop?

Thanks for your help!

transmaster

To help those here who know far more about Ford Automatics then I here is some of what they will want to know.

1 How many miles on the transmission
2.has this truck been used to tow trailers over long distances
3.Please describe how the transmission shifts real hard, way to soft.

There are others but this will help get things started.

dewman

I am not sure if you have an auto or manual transmission.
You have asked if the clutch could be bad, but said that it has trouble deciding which gear to be in when you accelerate. An automatic transmission does not have a clutch like a manual transmission. If it is an automatic, then perhaps a speed sensor is the blame for the shifting problem.

I am not that good with transmissions, someone else will have more info/knowledge than I and I am sure they will answer sooner or later.

tonkatruck66

automatic transmissions do have clutches in them. lol. not like a manual, but clutches non-the-less.

dewman

That's what I said, not like a manual. Most people equate a clutch with a manual transmission and that is what I was trying to find out from the original poster.

tonkatruck66

oh, i was just sayin cause you said you didnt know if it was a auto or manual.

wde3477

As (bad) luck would have it, just had my transmission rebuilt.

For the past couple of years or so - long enough for it to become 'normal' to me - mine was slow in going from Reverse to Drive, especially if it was cold outside. Overdrive wasn't an issue, other than it seemed unusually slow to kick out of overdrive when a hill or the like was encountered.

At any rate, went out the other day, put it in Reverse, and was sitting there in the driveway fooling with the radio when it felt like the transmission came out of gear. Cycled the selector to Park, then back to Reverse, and the transmission engaged. Backed out, put it in Drive, and nothing. Went back to Park, then to Drive and it engaged. Figured I was pushing my luck, so I pulled back in the driveway and called the transmission shop.

Always wanted to tear into an automatic, have never done one before, but as the truck has once again become my daily driver - didn't figure this was the time to be a 'first'.

The tranny shop has a great reputation with a membership in the supposed-nationwide Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA), and they offered up a couple of options. I chose the 'major overhaul' with a 12month/12,000 mile warranty at a cost of $1400. The other option would have been quicker, as it involved taking a rebuilt unit that used higher performance parts off the shelf with the customer choice of a 36month/75,000 mile or a 60month/36,000 mile warranty for $2100. Keep in mind that this is on a 4WD, so there is additional labor to fool with the transfer case and the like. Looks like parts were about $400 with labor making up the rest. Appears that the shop has about a $76/hour labor rate.

At any rate, got the truck back within 48 hours, and the shifts between Park/Reverse/Drive are quicker, the upshifts seem 'stouter'. The rebuild included a master kit, torque converter, and an 'upgrade' package that seems to hold the tranny in gear longer - later upshifts. Also included, a tranny cooler flush, 14 qts of fluid, and the tow from the house.

Asked the mechanic if there was anything that had failed or went wrong - he said no, it was just a really tired transmission. I must 'fess up and admit that while I did change the filter and related fluid a couple of times, I never did an entire fluid change that included the torque converter during its 209,000 mile life. The fluid was classified during the initial inspections as 'dark and burnt'. One of those things I was always going to get around to, but never did.
D'Oh!

93Skunk

Sorry I didn't give enough information.

It is an Automatic. It has 220,000 miles, but I have only owned it for just over a year, so I don't know it's history. I haven't towed anything yet, but I plan to this year.

I really love this truck, and all of it's problems and issues, but it's not worth very much money, and it will kill me to spend $1500-2000 on it.

When I shift the truck using the column lever, and it's "in gear", it seems to drive fine. There is some hard gear shifts now and then, and it is worse in cold weather.

Also, the Reverse to Drive is really slow to engage.

One other strange thing. When it's REALLY cold, and I pull up to a stop, it almost stalls, like it's having trouble shifting back down to first fully.

That's kinda why I was "hoping" it was a clutch, and not the actual gears.

But it sounds like from the last post, that I'm suffering from the same problem.

dewman

Sorry to hear that.

You could try looking around locally for a used transmission. One of the salvage yards near me pulls the parts and tests them before they sell them. It might be a short-term solution until you can better afford the overhaul.

Also, take it to a local transmission shop and see what they think. Most places with diagnose for free.

93Skunk

Thanks, I will check both of those options.