transmission overheating

[knoxemt1983]

ok, so my transmission is overheating, here is the story on it because it has me stumped since I dont know jack about transmissions. it is a 2003 F-350, 4x4, standard cab, with the 6.0 peice of crap, and automatic transmission.

I have been having a problem with the tow/haul light flashing on and off at times, but turning the engine of and back on cleared it, and I didn't have a chance to get to the transmission shop. I thought it was something to do with the chip (superchips) which I removed while I tried to save for an sct and custom tunes after talking to some of you guys. So the truck is back stock now. I was driving, just cruising, not hard at all and noticed my temp gauge was high, and before i could pull over it went all the way red, and the tow/haul light started flashing. I pulled over in a parking lot, and for some reason assumed it was the coolant temp gauge :duh: , so I checked my coolant and it was low. I added fluid to it, then rechecked the gauge and I realized it was the trans temp gauge. let it cool a little, and drove it home (only about a mile, maybe less). On the way home it shifted hard, and held the shifts out longer than normal (maybe a type pf failsafe? ). I didn't notice any slipping or anything, the trans fluid is full, and didnt look or smell burnt.

anyone have any ideas of what could be wrong, I know its gonna have to go to the tranny shop, I am just trying to figure out whats going on, cuz this is my only transportation. sorry if this is a trivial question, but like I said I dont know very much about transmissions.

[ads5341]

dont know but heres a bump

[knoxemt1983]

thanks......

[knoxemt1983]

well, I took it for a drive today to let the transmission heat up so I could check the trans cooler on the advice of the trans shop. well, the cooler seams to be working fine, both lines get warm. What has me stumped now is that the transmission doesn't overheat now no matter what I do. what do you guys think I should do... just drive it and see what happens or send it to the shop anyways?

[rednekexprez]

My 01 did that a couple of time disconnected the batteries and it was fine..

[Bamfster]

How long since it has been serviced? My buddy's '97 started shifting hard and overheating on a hunting trip. Eventually it lost O/D and would only go for about 35-40 miles till it would overheat and start slipping so bad that it couldn't be driven till it cooled down. Pulled the pan and there was a bunch of clutch material and junk plugging the filter. Fresh filter and fluid was enough of a fix to get it 100+ miles home (still no O/D) and ultimately the tranny is smoked.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

do you have an aftermarket trans gauge? the stock one is useless... by the time it hits the red its way too late.. you were prob over 210 easily....

[knoxemt1983]

Originally Posted by rednekexprez

My 01 did that a couple of time disconnected the batteries and it was fine..

I tried that, left them unhooked while I went to my dads that night, then came back to the same thing again

[knoxemt1983]

Originally Posted by Bamfster

How long since it has been serviced? My buddy's '97 started shifting hard and overheating on a hunting trip. Eventually it lost O/D and would only go for about 35-40 miles till it would overheat and start slipping so bad that it couldn't be driven till it cooled down. Pulled the pan and there was a bunch of clutch material and junk plugging the filter. Fresh filter and fluid was enough of a fix to get it 100+ miles home (still no O/D) and ultimately the tranny is smoked.

I have no clue how long it's been, I jsut got the truck about a month ago, and honestly didnt even think about the trannie needing work. it's at the trannie shop now.

[knoxemt1983]

Originally Posted by Raul@Stealth Automotive

do you have an aftermarket trans gauge? the stock one is useless... by the time it hits the red its way too late.. you were prob over 210 easily....

not yet, I have Isspro gauges ordered, but unfortuneately not yet. The weird thing is that I looked at my gauges about 2 minutes before and they were all fine. I guess the trannie heats up wuick when something goes wrong.