My E40D transmission started shifting unevenly and the "off" light is flashing - Diesel Forum

**midwestconnection** · 11-03-2009, 07:26 PM

It went from perfect shifts every time to rough and uneven and from soft and smooth to pretty hard shifts and the flashing on and off continually of the "off" overdrive light. -- Tell me it's a sensor. Please.

1996 7.3L E350 Club Van.

**Mark Kovalsky** · 11-03-2009, 08:08 PM

It's a sensor.

Really, there is no way to know that without some diagnostics. That starts with having the codes read. Without knowing the stored code NOBODY knows why the light is flashing or what's wrong.

**midwestconnection** · 11-04-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

It's a sensor.

Really, there is no way to know that without some diagnostics. That starts with having the codes read. Without knowing the stored code NOBODY knows why the light is flashing or what's wrong.

OK, I will try to find a code reader or get it read. Thanks

**midwestconnection** · 11-04-2009, 08:12 AM

I ordered the Autoenginuity 2 with the Ford upgrade this morning, it will be here in a few days.

Until it gets here, how much chance is there that the Automatic Transmission Speed Control Sensor is my problem?

brencoracing09 · 11-04-2009, 09:47 AM

with me it was my torque converter when it flashed on and off. And then that eventually lead to the transmission blowing apart internally going down a major highway in traffic.

**Mark Kovalsky** · 11-04-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midwestconnection

Until it gets here, how much chance is there that the Automatic Transmission Speed Control Sensor is my problem?

I don't know what that is. I've never heard of it.

txguy78 · 11-04-2009, 12:58 PM

ive got a 2001 crew cab 4x4 bought it new and around 75,000 it did the same thing. I had to have it rebuilt but $1500!!! but good news ive got 255,00 on it now without a prob!

**midwestconnection** · 11-04-2009, 09:27 PM

I think I will shoot myself!

blageurt · 11-05-2009, 12:45 PM

It probably is the VSS which will throw a PO500 code. I changed my sensor and the connector . It still flips out now and then. I need to replace the wires now since there is a connection /connectivity issue. When I turn left hard sometimes it will go off. Spring Time I will deal with it. The sensor is in the rear end on Top. The connector I got from Ford. Good Luck

**midwestconnection** · 11-05-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blageurt

It probably is the VSS which will throw a PO500 code. I changed my sensor and the connector . It still flips out now and then. I need to replace the wires now since there is a connection /connectivity issue. When I turn left hard sometimes it will go off. Spring Time I will deal with it. The sensor is in the rear end on Top. The connector I got from Ford. Good Luck

I sure hope your right. I bought that sensor at Ford for $30 including Tax. My code reader should be here tomorrow, I'm waiting to read the code and hoping it says the PO500 your describing. I'll look at the connector and the wires too. Thanks

I'm not worried about the $30, I'm just hoping that it fixes the problem.

Largely, hoping!

scootdog · 11-06-2009, 06:02 AM

disconnect both batteries, then connect them, i gots over 200,000 miles on my `97.
mine said trans slip? it has done it 2 times in about a year. going in next week for a trans rebuild. its still running fine, i just don`t wanna get stuck out somewhere....

**midwestconnection** · 11-06-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scootdog

disconnect both batteries, then connect them, i gots over 200,000 miles on my `97.
mine said trans slip? it has done it 2 times in about a year. going in next week for a trans rebuild. its still running fine, i just don`t wanna get stuck out somewhere....

If you don't know about that $27 sensor that is bolted onto the rear end and that a five year old could change in ten minutes you might want to consider it. The shop will of course rebuild the transmission for you and charge you a few thousand dollars and not tell you nothing about that sensor. -- 200,000 miles is nothing unless you pull heavy.

Thanks for the battery tip. I will try that.

**midwestconnection** · 11-06-2009, 05:00 PM

Fixed, I think!

I disconnected the battery and put in the VSS Sensor that I call the Automatic Transmission Speed Control Sensor, the one on the rear end.
$27.50 plus tax, a fifteen minute fix.

Part# F85Z-9E731-AB

My van is a 1996 E350 7.3l E40D

It's fixed, the "OFF" light is no longer flashing and on, the light is no longer on and it shifts good again but now my speedometer jumps all over the place when I get to around 55 miles per hour. It didn't do that before.

I hope it's OK. My code reader should be here any day. I got to learn how to use it. I got the Ford software for the $149.

I got the code reader for $100 plus $12 shipping, it's Palm and USB for a computer and serial I think. It looks to be the same one the company is selling for $259 or $199 on eBay.

**action4478** · 11-06-2009, 07:20 PM

You may need to look a little closer at the wiring to the VSS ( vehicle speed sensor) on the axle, when mine did that (speedo bouncing) , it was the wiring ...

**midwestconnection** · 11-06-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by action4478

You may need to look a little closer at the wiring to the VSS ( vehicle speed sensor) on the axle, when mine did that (speedo bouncing) , it was the wiring ...

Is there a chance it will ruin my transmission. The bouncing around speedometer I could live with, it's the fear of damage because of a faulty signal that scares me. It seems to be better, I didn't know how to deprogram the computer after I put the part on, I just unhooked the battery for about twenty minutes by taking the positive cables off both batteries. Could that be it? The wiring I can replace if I need too. Anything to not hurt the transmission. It's shifting smooth as silk again.