Hi folks - sorry to start out here with a plea for help. I hope I can repay the favor in the future. I'm sure this has been discussed but my search efforts have been a bit frustrating so here goes...

First off it's a '98 F-150 Supercab longbed 4x4 with the 4.6 Triton and automatic tranny with OD. Current mileage is 120,000.

The tranny is shifting erratically at low speeds starting at about 30mph or so. It bounces back and forth between 2nd and 3rd until I get above 45mph and then shifts normally from 4th on up thru the overdrive. It also seems to be worse when the overdrive is turned off. No slipping, just jumps back and forth between the gears.

My check engine light came on a short time before this started happening.

Two questions;

1. Is there a way I can pull the codes myself without any special diagnostic tools?

2. Is this a common problem and if so, what is the common fix? could it be a sensor or solenoid such as the shift module, or something more serious?

I'd like to track this down myself since I live a long ways from any qualified service shops and I'm a DIY sorta guy anyway. Any help is appreciated in advance!

 

No you need a code reader or programmer to read the codes. Get the codes and I'm sure there's someone on here who can help.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm currently looking into an Actron pocket scanner, if I can get some feedback on it that would be great.

Meanwhile if anyone has experienced similar symptoms it'd sure help to hear what the fix was. Could this simply be a clogged tranny filter, and if so would that show up as a trouble code?

 

Well I reckon I'll pick up that Actron scanner, and a fresh tranny filter & fluid 'cuz it's due for a service anyway.

I don't think the tranny itself is bad, the fluid ain't burnt and it ain't slipping. Hopefully it'll be a sensor or solenoid or maybe I'll get lucky and the tranny service will fix it.

I like this truck, took me awhile to find a 4x4 Supercab-longbed combo with the 4.6L V8. She gets pretty good mileage for a big 4x4 and I plan on keeping her for as long as it's economically feasible. Plus i like the '97-'03 styling and love the vermillion RED...

 

Ok I'm going to keep this thread current as I go through my attempts to diagnose and fix this problem in the hopes that someone may benefit from it.

Picked up an Actron CP9125 PocketScan OBD2 code reader at Autozone today for $59.95 + tax. Came home and plugged my new toy into the Data Link Connector (DLC) located under the dash to the right of the gas pedal about center console area.

Following the instructions I got the trouble code - PO743 - Torque Converter Clutch Electrical. According to the info I found this is either a bad TCC solenoid or bad connection in the wiring/plug to the TCC. Could also (possibly) be caused by incorrect fluid level or dirty fluid and/or filter.

So since the TCC solenoid is located on the valve body and I need to drop the pan anyway, I'm going to change the fluid and filter too. Cost for a new TCC solenoid is $35, new tranny filter is $15, and the amount of fluid needed to change the whole thing, torque converter and all, will be around 13 quarts. I want to go with synthetic fluid so this could cost from $80 to $120 depending on what ATF I get.

Btw, any recommendations for a good synthetic ATF will be greatly appreciated.