shifting too early = difficult towing

[97regcab4x4350]

Hey guys I'am hoping you can help me out. I have 97 f-350 4x4 with an auto trans. The problem I have is that it shifts way to early. Starting from a stop the trans will allready be in third gear with the converter locked at 25mph! It shifts from first to second at 10, second to third at 20, and then the converter locks at 25. Once the converter is locked you can only get it to shift by downshifting to second gear manualy. This problem coupled with the stock 3.55 gears makes towing a real bear. Please help!

[sea71]

Are you running stock truck or do you have some type of programmer /chip,etc?

[97regcab4x4350]

The only mods are an exhaust and intake kit, no programmers.

[sea71]

This may or may not help, but it is free and its a starting point for sure. Disconnect your batteries and leavem for minimum 30 minutes. Hookem back up and go for a drive. In some cases, this procedure helps the tranny to forget what its learned from your driving habits and starts learning over again. If that doesnt make a difference then we'll have to wait on a professional to chime in .

[97regcab4x4350]

I disconnected the batteries and let the truck sit for several hours, but the tranny still shifts the same. I took the truck to a local shop a couple weeks ago and they did alot of diagnostic work, but they couldn't find the source of my problems. I know that they replaced the pcm but that didn't fix it so they reinstalled the old one. I had to take the truck back before they got a chance to dig into the trans, but they were betting it was some type of mechanical problem and not electrical. If it is a mechanical problem, does anyone know how much money I should dump into repairng the trans before I say heck with it and replace it with a rebuilt unit?

[stangn1]

I have a 96 f350 and its doing the same thing. were you ever able to fix the problem?

[jbawilliams]

When I was about 18, my Mom and Dad had an 88 Ford Econoline E250. Had the 302 in it. It did the exact same thing. The dealer kept saying "the trans is performing to factory specs." He bought it new, and sold it just before the warranty ran out. My Dad was a Ford guy until that van. Been a GM man since. Bought a 92 Suburban, then an 02 Suburban. I got lots of crap when I traded my 96 Silverado on a 96 PSD - only way to convince him to let it go was to remind it was neither a Ford motor or Trans (ZF5) in that Ford wrapper.

[97regcab4x4350]

The truck is still shifting the same. I don't have the money to pay the dealer to diagnos it, so I drive it as is. I have been talking with other shops though, and they think it might be a engine managment problem. There thought is that the pcm isn't getting the correct feedback so it isn't sensing any load on the motor, so it short shifts. I don't really know what to think, that makes sense I guess. The shifts are firm, and the trans doesn't slip, it just shifts at the wrong time.

P.S. I had found web site run by a certified powerstroke tech a while back but know I can't find it. I think it was dieselman.com but that URL isn't hosted anymore. If anyone knows how I can get some info from a trained ford diesel tech please let me know.

[stangn1]

the site you are talking about is Intellidog.com
let me know if you have any luck.

[circle5]

that is strange...mine shifts from 2nd to 3rd at about 40 when i tow