E4(uh-oh)D - troubleshooting manual operation?

[Macrobb]

I just picked up a new IDI for $500, and I'm trying to figure out what to /do/ with it.
Here's the problem: It's an auto.

Now, turns out that it drives OK... in 2nd gear. It'll hit maby 45 before hitting the rev limiter, but will not shift.

I found the problem(at least one of them) - the solenoid connector on the E4OD is broken... so none of the 'automatic' shifting works.

That being said... I thought that an E4OD, unplugged, would give me 4th in D, 2nd in 2 and 2nd in 1.
But all I get is 2nd gear forward in D, 2, or 1.

I'd like to figure out how to get it into 4th manually; if I can, it'll drive down the highway. Otherwise, it might just be a parts truck. Didn't pay too much for it in any case, I don't think, as the 7.3 IDI is in decent shape.

Any ideas?

edit: Because people apparently have trouble reading, There is no connector plugged into the transmission, as it is broken.
I am asking about the purely hydraulic/mechanical operation of the transmission, with no power applied.

 

[jwalterus]

Replace the solenoid pack and be done with it!

 

[icanfixall]

The E4OD requires several inputs. One is from the throttle positioning switch found on the side of the injection pump. It feeds volts to the computer called the cpu.If it sees 5 volts it will drop the voltage and your in limp home mode. These is the speed sensor found in the rear of the speedo cable at the trans. Then you have the ring gear sensor. All these MUST work.As you get into the throttle the voltage sent to the cpu tells the trans to add more band pressure cause your asking more from the trans. ALL 6 electrical connections must be free of corrosion too. Three are under the master cylinder and the other three are on the trans. Drivers side.Rear. Passenger side. Hope this helps.

 

[Macrobb]

Um... I already said that the connector is broken and there is /no/ inputs at all.
I'm trying to figure out "limp mode" funtionality - what it does with no computer/input... and why it doesn't act like that page I referenced.

I'm trying to just get it into 4th manually so I can drive it 50 miles, instead of trailering it or going 35 the whole way

 

[jwalterus]

I think your solenoids are grounding to the case

 

[Macrobb]

I think your solenoids are grounding to the case

They aren't even plugged in. Like... the connector housing came off in my hand, and the plug is just dangling.
There's absolutely no way for the solenoids to get ANY power!

...And I'm not asking about that. I'm asking about the purely mechanical/hydraulic aspects of the transmission. The ones that work *without* the electronics, electrics etc.

 

[Thewespaul]

I’m pretty sure that’s normal function for no electronics

 

[Macrobb]

Why does that page( http://www.atraonline.com/manuals/general/tetdv/tetdv-c4k.htm ) say that it should be in 4th in "D" then?

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Are they wrong?

 

[Sidewinded_idi]

I’ve heard the same that you can still manually get it into 4th but I can’t reference where but I know it was mentioned about a fail condition

 

[Macrobb]

I’ve heard the same that you can still manually get it into 4th but I can’t reference where but I know it was mentioned about a fail condition

That's all I want to figure out. It'll make my life easier.

That, and the knowledge would be useful for future screwed-up E4OD-powered trucks...

 

[jwalterus]

...And I'm not asking about that. I'm asking about the purely mechanical/hydraulic aspects of the transmission. The ones that work *without* the electronics, electrics etc.

Probably have a stuck valve

 

[Thewespaul]

Hmm I thought it was second not fourth, but I could be wrong

 

[icanfixall]

My guess also is a stuck valve. Limp home mode is a design feature to "get you off the road to safety". Not drive the distance you are planning on.

 

[david85]

Macrobb, you are correct in how an E4OD is supposed to limp. With no power to the solenoid pack will look like this:

4th gear in D
2nd gear in 2 or 1
Reverse in R

No torque converter lockup, and engagement may feel more firm than usual due to maximum line pressure.

Aside from a stuck valve or wrong fluid level, you can also try checking the alignment of your shift linkage at the side of the transmission.

 

[Macrobb]

Hm...
There's something else here that we're missing.


But... If both shift solenoids being off produce 2nd gear(in drive), then they are

Macrobb, you are correct in how an E4OD is supposed to limp. With no power to the solenoid pack will look like this:

4th gear in D
2nd gear in 2 or 1
Reverse in R

No torque converter lockup, and engagement may feel more firm than usual due to maximum line pressure.

Aside from a stuck valve or wrong fluid level, you can also try checking the alignment of your shift linkage at the side of the transmission.

Awesome, thanks.
I've found several pages that say it should work, and others that say it should only have 2nd, so it's good to get some corroboration.

I'll check fluid level, and I also wonder if it's not something like the fact that the EPC solenoid is disconnected, so perhaps it's giving minimum pressure, not enough to shift? Or too much, which is keeping it in 2nd(both solenoids engaged)?

The shift linkage alignment... even if it were off, I should still "feel" the gear position no matter what the selector says. And I definitely have P, R,N,D,2,1 available as nice, clunky positions...