problems with E40D - Diesel Forum

hammerfist · 08-02-2008, 02:57 PM

I have a 89' international with a E40D tranny. I have just undertaken some overhauling of the engine's seals and other parts; radiator, starter, hoses ect... I bought the old ambulance in hopes to convert it to run on Straight Veggie Oil. In the past 2 months, after 3 months spent on all the engine work, I have successfully converted the engine to SVO. Other than a few quirks in the filtering system everything seems to be running fine.
After the conversion work I take it on a test run. The Tranny is not shifting on it's own. I have to manualy shift from 2nd and 3rd gear. OD does not work, no torque. When I tried my meter on the code reader nothing happened. Took it to get it read with a real code reader and it just made a long beeping noise. My over drive manual switch doesn't work. It seems like a wiring or sensor problem. Does anyone have any idea what the h#@l is going on?

Mark Kovalsky · 08-02-2008, 10:24 PM

Your transmission computer is not being powered up. Find the power relay and check it.

Mark Kovalsky · 08-02-2008, 10:38 PM

Your transmission computer is not being powered up. Find the power relay and check it.

hammerfist · 08-04-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the reply. Do you have any idea where the power relay might be. I am waiting on a wiring diagram for the tranny. What do you think about switching the e40d for a manual with od. What type tranny would you recommend? I've heard the c6 would fit fine but I want something with a 5th gear, not interested in a granny gear, although it would be nice. And it would be nicer if I could fix the problem at hand so that I could just drive this E40D for another few years. Anyway, just some thoughts, get back to me about the relay if you have any ideas where it might be. Thanks a bunch.

Mark Kovalsky · 08-04-2008, 07:41 PM

I don't remember exactly where it would be. It's been a LONG time since I worked on one of those. It's probably somewhere under the hood, but that's all I can remember. I might not even be right.

cdnsarguy · 08-04-2008, 10:17 PM

How far are you driving the vehicle under 10 miles.........

Check my photo link for an ambulance specific bit of info..... May not be your problem ??????

xero-xero · 08-04-2008, 10:45 PM

YEP, TRANS COMPUTER, no power or the whole module burnt up, went through 3 computers before i realized that there was a short somewhere. so i just bumped it first second third... 87 e350 7.3

cdnsarguy · 08-04-2008, 11:18 PM

Check for a Light Green and Red wire from the voltage regulator it should go to the TECA power relay.

hammerfist · 08-12-2008, 10:10 PM

Hey thanks for the link, I'll give it a try. I have looked everywhere for the problem in hopes to not have to put money in a new puter right now. I'm not sure what your question meant though. How far are you driving under 10 miles..... ? Thanks again.

rsr911 · 08-13-2008, 08:49 AM

My '91 E350 had a similar problem, turned out to be a rather heavy black wire attached to the passenger side battery negative terminal was disconnected.