Is my transmission on its way out?

[gsiemon]

I have a 94 Bronco with a 351W and an E4OD Transmission. The transmission shifts fine and great when i drive it around all day around town, but when i take it on a 30 min highway trip, when i get off the highway it will start shifting hard. Then a day or two later it will go back to normal and shift perfectly. Is the transmission on its way out, or does it just need some service?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Justshootme84]

Overhaeting the fluid is maybe the number one killer of the E40D auto tranny. How does the fluid look? does it have a burnt odor to it? You may want to look into adding an auxillary cooler for it. it will run you about $2300-$2700 to overhaul it, so I'd try the aux cooler first. You can also check if there are any trouble codes fro mthe hard shifting, JSM84

 

[gsiemon]

Is there a way for me to check it, or would I need to take it down the a transmission shop? and when the snow stops I'll check to fluid, smell it, and see what it looks like. The bronco does not have to tow package, and i don't believe that it has a tranny cooler, not sure if not having the package would imply not cooler though, how are the E4OD's anyway?? Never really heard anything good about them.....

 

[Miss Kitten]

i believe a VSS on it's way out could cause the hard shifting as well. might be an idea to replace that. when i bought a new one i believe it was $30 from a ford dealer. cheap and easy.

 

[gsiemon]

what is a VSS anyway?

 

[Justshootme84]

Yes, MK, it may be a dirty VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) in the rearend, but my guess is an overheating problem. The factory radiator has a tranny cooler in the side tanks, but it's not adequate. The E40D auto is prone to damage from cooking the fluid, so an addition or auxillary cooler will help. I'll post a link to Miesk5's Homepage where you can research about the tranny and the trouble codes, JSM84

http://home.comcast.net/~miesk5/

 

[gsiemon]

ok, where do you recommenced I purchase an additional axillary cooler?

 

[Justshootme84]

you can get a new one from Summit racing or JEG's, or pull a used one off a truck in the salvage yard. My suggestion is to get a new one witha filter and tranny temp gauge, JSM84

 

[oldtimer]

the e4od is a great tranny if there built right. im in the middle of building one right now. i have just about 700 dollars into clutches and valve body and mods. there just a c6 with an overdrive built in

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[Outkast]

I have a auxillery transmission cooler it does what its there for. just dont let the coolant lines get pinched that happened to mine which in turn caused me to go through 3 transmissions (gotta love warrenties) unitl we finally replaced the transmission cooler and havent had a problem since.

 

[druugscd]

Yes, MK, it may be a dirty VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) in the rearend, but my guess is an overheating problem. The factory radiator has a tranny cooler in the side tanks, but it's not adequate. The E40D auto is prone to damage from cooking the fluid, so an addition or auxillary cooler will help. I'll post a link to Miesk5's Homepage where you can research about the tranny and the trouble codes, JSM84
http://home.comcast.net/~miesk5/

I am having similar problmes with my tranny. The weird thing is, is when it starts to shift hard it "fixes" itslef when i unplug the battery and let the computer reset. does anyone have any ideas on this issue??

 

[92bronco_in_progress]

i had that problem after about 50 milies of driving, changed the tranny fluid with the machine and ever since haven't had one hard shift