Trans Prob, 150 miles from home, Help (Bakersfield, CA)

[psychohawk]

Sorry for title, thought I'd get better help here instead of 911 forum.

Near Bakersfield, CA, live LA ... on drive north truck started acting up: Was driving normal, no load, 65 mph, 2100 RPM, engine hiccupped, RPM gauge fell to zero ... maintained speed, few minutes later hiccup again, RPM gauge works. Happened three or four times, pulled over, idled ~20 min, checked fluid, bubbly, can't get accurate read but fluid present. No leaks at all, never does. Let sit at idle another 20 min, noticed OD light goes solid when RPM gauge drops to 0 and, same time, faint buzzing/hissing noise from tranny on driver side. Stops after few secs then normal. when drive now, works only R, 1 and 2 ... if in OD truck revs and drags like e- brake on. No blinking OD light ... just solid during "problem" phase.

Am I screwed? Know a good mechanic in Bakersfield? I'm at Motel 6 in Buttonwillow. E4OD + manual t-case.

 

[Compu Doc]

With the tach going to zero I would think that the tach sensor could be bad. Try cleaning it. Any mechanic should also be able to pull the codes if their are any.

 

[psychohawk]

Tach goes to zero when trans slips ... have code reader but haven't tried 'cause no blinking OD light ... just solid during problem.

 

[Devilish]

IMHO the symptoms you are describing make me wonder if you have an electrical issue with your whole power circuit. You say hiccup and that sounds like the engine might die then run again. Do your accessories such as heater, radio, etc hiccup too? I'm thinking there could be a ground short somewhere or the slide switch in the steering column is failing. When your issues happen while driving you could tap then maybe jiggle the key switch and see if that has any effect. Then you could pull over, reach under your dash, then grab the wiring from your steering column and feel for excessive heat.
My rollback had a sensitive ignition switch and jiggling the key made a difference so I replaced the ign switch and all is well.
My dually on the other hand started acting up a bit while I was driving then stalled. I popped the hood and found the wiring fried. That was a few years back. Now I just energize the injection pump wiring from the battery. Someday I'll properly fix it if I don't junk the truck first ;P

 

[oldmisterbill]

If you like PM me maybe we can figure it out quicker over the phone.It sounds like it is going into limp mode. Definitely clean the tach sensor,as suggested.

 

[icanfixall]

It does sound like the tach senser is dirty or going bad.... You are in limp home mode when the trans has only the gears you posted. These E4OD trans need a tach signal or its limp home mode. Sometimes just removing them and cleaning the mteal off the magnet will make them work again. Hope its a simple fix too.... Bill is agreat person to talk with too. Very well informed about these rigs.... He has saved my bacon many times too.... Thanks Bill....

 

[OLDBULL8]

Your in limp mode, as you said, you only have R & 2 . The trans won't run without the Tach. Possible shorted wires at the Tach, the fan is blowing them together where they come out of the Tach. Don't run it until it's fixed or you'll fry the Trans.

Did you talk to him Bill?

 

[psychohawk]

Update: Thanks for all the help! Unfortunately, with limited hand tools with me (big mistake!) I wasn't able to do much if not a simple problem. I ended up driving ~20 mph on the shoulder to a trans specialist.

The good: fluid looks great, minimal damage.

The bad: likely the sprague (? gear ?) broke and I need a overhaul.

Not sure what going to do, gonna tow home tomorrow while I weigh options. It's disappointing because I've spent about $3,500 on mechanical stuff the past twelve months (how long i've owned it) and I'm frustrated and broke!

 

[DragRag]

To bad you are not just a little closer, you are about 3.5hours from me. I have a good working E40D that would work just fine in your truck. Mine is much cheaper to then what they are going to bend you over for at a tranny shop if indeed you need a new one. Sounds more to me though that you need a tach sensor or you have an electrical issue. There are a lot of shady trans shops that will sell you a rebuild when you don't really need one. Then they charge you again to fix the real problem. For your sake I hope that is not what happens to you.

 

[icanfixall]

When you get it home I'm about 5 miles from you. PM me and maybe I can give you a hand. From what I understand from a good source there is a fine trans shop in Torrance that will build you a great trans with all the needed or wanted upgrades. Sorry for the bad news too. I got towed home from half way up the Grapevine a few years ago... I do understand.... I could not "find" a trailer long enough to tow home my crewcab....

 

[OLDBULL8]

IT'S THE GD TACH. NOT THE SPRAGUE, If that broke you ain't going nowhere. If you get it rebuilt, tell them you want all the old parts they replaced, honest.

WARNING: if you tow it, disconnect the drive shaft or you will burn up the transmission towing it that far.

Gary: Help the guy, check his TACH wiring.

 

[psychohawk]

@ dragrag: I am closer, was on way to Gilroy ... I'm there pretty frequently and will keep your offer in mind.

@ icanfixall, we'll be in touch, i'll PM you my # later

Now, getting a long bed crew cab from here to LA when uhaul won't rent you a trailer or tow dolly, that'll be fun ... they say my truck is too heavy for the dolly and too long for the trailer ... I have a feeling that tomorrow when I pick up some tow device, my truck will magically turn into a f150 standard cab with a gasoline engine.

 

[towcat]

@ dragrag: I am closer, was on way to Gilroy ... I'm there pretty frequently and will keep your offer in mind.

@ icanfixall, we'll be in touch, i'll PM you my # later

Now, getting a long bed crew cab from here to LA when uhaul won't rent you a trailer or tow dolly, that'll be fun ... they say my truck is too heavy for the dolly and too long for the trailer ... I have a feeling that tomorrow when I pick up some tow device, my truck will magically turn into a f150 standard cab with a gasoline engine.

trust me on this....
those Uhaul trailers won't be able to handle your truck. look how little room there is to spare with a MBZ 300d on the back of it.
outside of this guy, I have yet to see a tow dolly accomodate a truck our size on it. your only solution is someone with a trailer long enough to handle the truck.

 

[BigRigTech]

I'd ohm the wires from the tach sensor to the PCM....I agree with OldBull, \i wouldn't call it a mechanical issue until I rule out the electrical possibilities....Your tach sensor is on the engine, has nothing to do with an internal sprague and regardless of the trans issues the engine still runs and idles right?

 

[OLDBULL8]

Tach goes to zero when trans slips ... have code reader but haven't tried 'cause no blinking OD light ... just solid during problem.

Code reader won't read the codes. Do it by the KOEO method. Read the flashes on the CES light.

You have to read the codes from the trans. module. If your tach sensor is dead the trans will go into limp mode, only R and 2nd. Your tach sensor is on the IP gear housing. Those wires coming out of the sensor have a habit of loosing the insulation, maybe they are touching each other. Pull the sensor and wipe it off, it's magnetic and could have metal on it.

Why can't you get an accurate fluid level check? Hot and in idle. The E4OD is fussy on the fluid level