4r100 High Transmission Temp

[UPNYAAS]

Hello All

I have an 03 F250 that after driving for 20 minutes or so at a continuous speed, from a could start, the trans temp starts rising from normal. It doesn't take long to reach the yellow and eventually red, causing the check gauge and O/D light to flash. If you pull over, leave the truck running, and after 5 to 10 minutes the trans temp gauge reads what I would refer to as the normal operating temperature which is in the middle of the guage.

I figured it was a temp sensor, not an actual overheating issue because oil doesn't cool that quickly. Changed the solenoid body, but problem still exists.

Any ideas? I haven't tried getting any codes yet. I believe I will try and get a code reader and go from there.

[CAT797]

Do a search on here, I will too.....I know there was a post about a year ago with this exact same problem.

[justinbaldwin69]

Originally Posted by UPNYAAS

Hello All

I have an 03 F250 that after driving for 20 minutes or so at a continuous speed, from a could start, the trans temp starts rising from normal. It doesn't take long to reach the yellow and eventually red, causing the check gauge and O/D light to flash. If you pull over, leave the truck running, and after 5 to 10 minutes the trans temp gauge reads what I would refer to as the normal operating temperature which is in the middle of the guage.

I figured it was a temp sensor, not an actual overheating issue because oil doesn't cool that quickly. Changed the solenoid body, but problem still exists.

Any ideas? I haven't tried getting any codes yet. I believe I will try and get a code reader and go from there.

i have the same truck 03 f250 and i went through this,basically the tranny is going out. im bout 90 percent sure that the converter is coming apart

[UPNYAAS]

Justinbaldwin69
Wouldn't a bad torque converter have other indications? The transmission seems to shift normally. The only issue is the temperature.

[justinbaldwin69]

Originally Posted by UPNYAAS

Justinbaldwin69
Wouldn't a bad torque converter have other indications? The transmission seems to shift normally. The only issue is the temperature.

mine did the same thing,since the temp is going ,the trans is slipping

[CoalRollinRoosterCruiser]

Originally Posted by justinbaldwin69

mine did the same thing,since the temp is going ,the trans is slipping

Not necessarily, there's other things that can cause high tranny temp.

to the orginial poster.

When was the last time you changed the trans fluid, and the filter?

[UPNYAAS]

I changed the fluid, filter and solenoid body last week. No change in symptoms. I did a check for codes this morning and found that there were no codes. I'm still stumped.

Like I mentioned. Going down the road, after a while the temp gauge will rise into the yellow, pull over for 5-10 minutes and let it cool to the middle of the normal area, continue on and repeat the process when the temp rises again. Pretty agrivating when you are trying to get home.

I'd hate to think that it is an actual heating issue, but I have my doughts because it cools off so quickly. This is a stock system. I could be wrong. I'm going to investigate the option of replacing the torque converter and rebuild of the tranny, but that is an ugly side of things I would rather do as a last option.

Any pointers are appreciated.

[CoalRollinRoosterCruiser]

Is it an aftermarket gauge that your reading temp. from, or the factory gauge?

Also, how many miles on the transmission?

[UPNYAAS]

Factory gauge and the transmission has roughly 111k miles.

[bmodel]

The transmission cooler as they exit the transmission has a crossover tube with a check valve in the line, this is a bypass tube that ford installed to warm up the transmission quicker in the cold, the line has two banjo fittings on it, the tranny lines go into a fitting which screws into the banjo fittings, trust me if that line is there in your truck then replace it. The line is only $25.00-$30.00 from Ford, or you can eliminate it, this will most likely solve your problem! I put a transmission cooler for a 6.0 on my truck later which bolts right up to the stock location and you need to run 1/2 lines instead of 3/8 but my truck loaded does not get hot anymore it runs at about 150-180 in the summer towing! I overheated my transmission 2 or 3 times at 250-280 and she is still shifting fine, the r4100's can take the temperatures as long as they are not prolonged!