Starting and Trans issues after removing ambulance box

[Benb]

I recently had a local machine shop remove the old ambulance body from my 89 7.3 and install a flat bed, and in doing so they had to cut a lot of electric connections that travelled from the engine bay to the ambulance body and back to the cab.

The truck won’t start now without starting fluid and the transmission (e4od) is starting in 2nd gear, otherwise it is shifting fine. The tach has also stopped working. I can’t help but think they cut something that would have affected these things. Before the swap it started and drove with zero problems. any advice on where to start?

I also don’t won’t to blame the shop for doing anything wrong, but now I have a truck that is less useful than before. Do they have my responsibility here?
Before and after picture is attached.

Thanks!

 

[IDIBRONCO]

All I have to say is that if everything worked before it went to the shop, then they are they reason why things don't work now.

 

[DirtyWood]

You have an E4OD and you 100% need a functioning tachometer. The E4OD also needs incandescent brake lights or if you went LED then you need to wire in a resistor to one or both brake lights.

The shop may have known how to remove the ambo box but they did you no favors in regards to the transmission. As far as starting the engine I can only assume they cut some wires that affect the glow plug controller so wiring up a manual control switch might be the best solution even if only temporary. I suggest buying a multi-meter and a shop manual so you can get this sorted out.

 

[rreegg]

Hope the shop can make you whole. The flat bed and truck look boss

 

[Rdnck84_03]

To add to what @DirtyWood said, you also have to have a functional third brake light or the trans will do stupid things.

James

 

[jwalterus]

.......they had to cut a lot of electric connections that travelled from the engine bay to the ambulance body and back to the cab.
.......
Do they have my responsibility here?

1) They'd be replacing any harnessing they touched with NEW on their dime as soon as they decided to cut any wires, I've done that job with someone on a '91, there was no reason to cut anything.
2) The liability is 100% theirs and the blame lies solely on their shoulders.
3) They sure wouldn't be touching a vehicle of mine in the future.
4) Unless they did it all for free, I sincerely hope you got the ambulance body back, it's quite possibly worth more than your truck if it's in good shape.....

 

[Olds64]

I hope you found a resolution to this. It'd definitely be a bummer if a shop made matters worse.

The truck looks much better with the flat bed.

 

[aggiediesel01]

To add to what @DirtyWood said, you also have to have a functional third brake light or the trans will do stupid things.

James

Pretty sure there's no third brake light prior to '94 or '95, but as others have said the trans controller requires the expected resistance value of the OE rear brake lights to function properly.

 

[Rdnck84_03]

Pretty sure there's no third brake light prior to '94 or '95, but as others have said the trans controller requires the expected resistance value of the OE rear brake lights to function properly.

I believe you are correct on that! I honestly should have paid more attention to the original post, i was just throwing out a commonly overlooked issue with the e4od and 4r100.

James