My son has a 1993 Ford F150 8cy 5.0L E4ODtranny . is the key on or key off the best way to get the codes? check engine light is not on. truck does not want to go into reverse. Sometimes it moves forward and other times stalls out completely like no transmission. fluid is red/pink..

 

You can't get codes with the key OFF. Click this & read the caption:


(phone app link)

Your description doesn't make sense - if there were no transmission, the engine wouldn't stall because it would never have any load on it. But then, it would never start, either, because the starter bolts to the trans.

I suggest you find an experienced transmission tech, and pay him to tell you if there's anything wrong with the trans. Don't tell him anything you haven't actually observed (like your guesses about the trans causing the symptoms).

 

The truck starts and goes forward for a while until it seems the transmission gets hot. then it completely won't move. forward, back..let it sit for awhile, cool down, she will go again. the truck will rev but it wont move..crazy...

 

Has anyone measured the trans temp when the symptom is present? If not, you're still just guessing. Has anyone checked the ATF level? The instructions are printed onto the dipstick.