I've got a 96 F-250 Powerstroke 4x4 with 255k miles. Driving down the road today pulling a 30 ft. gooseneck with a old CJ-5 Jeep on it. Crusing at 62 mph and the tranny starts down shifting and then going back into over drive and not picking up speed. The truck gets me to my house, turn the truck off, start it back up and drop into gear. The truck will go no where. It's as if you are revving up the engine while in neutral. While I am doing this I hear a grinding noise and then the engine starts shaking the truck so I kill it. Two weeks ago I began to hear a rattling noise from under the truck when the truck was running and parked. The noise sounded as if there was some kind of plate or guard was loose. Sounded as if it was coming from under the drivers seat.

Question: Do you think the tranny is shot or could it be 4x4 differential? Reason I ask about the 4x4 is I have a friend who this exact thing happened to on a 03 2500 Chevy 4x4 with 250k miles.


Thanks for any help as I have ZERO knowledge when it come to diagnostics or fixing vehicle; I can only screw them up

well if it was downshifting on its own and then nothing in overdrive when it shifted back i would suspect the trans not the transfer case,but just to ease your mind put the truck in 4wd and see if it pulls with the front axles.

Thanks Stan


As I said, I have no diagnostic sense. If I had any, I would have tried your idea before I got the dadgum thing towed

More or less, what can I expect to pay for a rebuilt tranny if that is the case?

average of 1800.00 up depending on where you take it and what parts they need if they rebuild yours,you might call Chris Tilton at bob utter ford and have him get you a price,tell him i told you to call him.

Stan,

The truck is in Houston. Would you happen to know anyone in this area?

Thank you!

Sounds like the tranny . When you get it fixed have the repair folks install a temp gauge for the tranny. Internal heat is the death to all trannys. In years past owner mans. would tell you not to tow in OD. Just a thought. That may have changed by now.

Im not for sure about Houston.

before you do anything,in the rear end there is a speed control sensor, when bad it can do do crazy things , youll find it in the top of the rear end i thinks it cost about 25.00, it has a plug that attaches to it , just one bolt , put it in there and see if that takes care of it , did any warning lights come on

trans..... rear speed sensor wont make noises while sitting still in neutral and revving up the engine. Sounds like the torque converter came apart, and the debris caused catastrophic failure to the rest of the trans with all the junk gong thru the fluid.... 255K miles!!! you doubled the life of most FORD trannies!! goood job!!

Take this mans advise!!! A Trans. temp. gauge is CHEAP INSURANCE and will save you tons of headaches in the future!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys for the help. I am going to call today about the temp guage.


Stick steering, no warning lights at all.

It sounds like the Torque Converter is self destructing, like spring(s) have come out of the Lockup Piston shortly after that happens they turn into a "candy dish". Stan can verify Ford has updated the Converter part number a gazillion times. My boss' brother knows several people in Houston and he said that these guys do great work and won't screw you over! Best of luck I hope this helps.

ABC Transmission
440 W. Crosstimbers
Houston, Tx
713-692-2274
Steve Smith

Thanks Bullet

Thanks Bullet!!

I would suggest that unless you are on very level ground (Kansas mybe) that when you tow a 30' gooseneck that you take it out of O/D.