E40D advice

[theserpentsvan]

Hi I have a 1990 E350 with a 7.3 and the E40D. Looking for advice on issues I'm having with the E40D to avoid the high costs of a rebuild because in my own opinion with research I've done I should be able to avoid the rebuild. The only times im having issues with it is when I'm towing vehicles up hill (does fine with an empty trailer), otherwise my transmission is running smooth with little to no issues. I have codes 62 (excessive convertor clutch slippage), and 14 (diesel rpm sensor out of range). Besides the overheating with uphill towing, everything on it feels sound while driving, and I can even easily cruise at 70-75mph on the freeway with no concern. I was raised by a heavy equipment diesel mechanic so I'm not a stranger to diesels but when it comes to transmissions I'm feeling a bit more lost and just seeking some advice on which course of action I should take in what order. Was considering opening up the bottom pan and checking the solenoid pack to start with, but again some advice from others would be nice to maybe pin point the issue and avoid a full rebuild if I can. I'm already assuming I'll need to replace the torque converter, but was planning that after I inspect the solenoid pack. Any advice appreciated, plus links to YouTube videos if you know of any to help out. Or any shops in the southern California area that can actually get into it and not just tell me to rebuild it or swap it to a ZF5. That would be wonderful. Thanks so much.

 

[XOLATEM]

This is a job for @trackspeeder ...but...I have a feeling that he will advise you to fix the code 14 first and then clear the codes, drive it and see if the other code comes back.

If we knew if your unit and convertor is original or has been worked on before and how many miles are on the system then it would help us help you.

Main thing is not to panic and start ripping into it before you see if the code 14 is caused by an electrical problem and/or sensor failure.

Pop the hood and eyeball the sensor...it is right at eye level on the housing for the IP drive gear.

On the solenoid body...unless you want to remove it and risk ripping the valvebody gaskets...The only thing that you would see when you drop the pan is a rectangular aluminum block with solenoids in it and a plastic cover.

You can pry off the plastic cover and see if enough metal fragments have accumulated on it to possibly short out some of the circuitry under it.

Fix the code 14 first...then see what happens.

Good luck on it.

just my .02

 

[trackspeeder]

Correct the code 14. The TCM is getting a bad or no tach signal. Check the tach sensor wiring for damage before you replace the sensor.

 

[david85]

Overheating while going uphill could be from slipping converter clutch. This could be related to a bad RPM sensor, but I'm not sure that it's the cause. A bad RPM sensor can certainly make the computer think there is an issue and generate a code, but I don't think it can actually cause a converter slip condition. In any case, correcting the RPM signal is the first step. A bad lockup solenoid could prevent the converter clutch from engaging at all, but it generally won't cause slip only under heavy load. Shift solenoids usually either work or they don't.

If you can feel a positive lockup when cruising empty, but notice the converter slipping while under load and going uphill, then you probably have a converter clutch failing and need a new converter assembly.