Driving to Alaska not going so well

[REF]

Originally Posted by VanMiller

If you we’re traveling in a Chevy, I’d say go for it. But in a Ford, ya best not risk it.

I can’t tell if you’re trolling or just making a joke.

For some context, we had a ‘91 Blazer years ago(wish I still had it, would make for a great plow truck) the last year they made the real K series before turning them into a soft roader, anyway, while coming back from a ski trip to park city, my wife had just hopped in the drivers seat getting onto the highway and it wasn’t dropping gears, it was just revving, thought she had it in 2 before I discovered we lost everything but 1/2, limped 60 miles to the next town topped out at 30mph where I could get it towed back home, it broke but didn’t leave us stranded.


Not much more to add other than I had a similar experience with my preemptively replaced John Wood transmission in the van. My OD light started intermittently blinking while on our 2 year on/off road journey before the transmission temps soared, lost several gears before going into limp mode and ultimately started eating itself, contaminating the entire system-torque converter, radiator and trans cooler all had to be replaced on my own dime, John took care of the transmission, fun times!
Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, the transmission warranty does not cover any further damage to parts or labor costs associated with any failure. Good luck getting things diagnosed and repaired before a major failure.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by REF

Good luck getting things diagnosed and repaired before a major failure.

Thanks, I well remember your problems. Unless the dealer finds a simple fix, I’ll likely abort and head home in hopes of getting there before it implodes after which I’ll lobby Ford for a replacement.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by VanMiller

If you we’re traveling in a Chevy, I’d say go for it. But in a Ford, ya best not risk it.

[VanMiller]

Originally Posted by REF

I can’t tell if you’re trolling or just making a joke.

Thats Ok, some day you’ll figure it out.

[Railvan]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

Thanks, I well remember your problems. Unless the dealer finds a simple fix, I’ll likely abort and head home in hopes of getting there before it implodes after which I’ll lobby Ford for a replacement.

Hope you make it home safely. Cheer up! At least you don't own a 6.0 diesel van! I've had to abort several road trips as the some part of the engine or trans crapped out on me. Never does it driving around town! Twice I've had to leave the van at a shop far from home and get myself home and then head back to get the van later to pick it up. Guess I'm still too dumb to sell it... Seriously, safe travels.

[carringb]

The intermittent nature of you new trans symptom would make be strongly suspect the main connector into the trans just isn’t seating. Maybe the retention clip broke off when they replaced the trans… It’s easy to do, especially on vans as old as ours. And sometimes you don’t even notice when it happens.

Connector repair kits are widely available because it’s such a common issue. I think re-pinning the connector has low success, since all the kits are pigtail kits. So it takes a couple hours with a crimp tool and heat gun.

[deserteagle56]

Originally Posted by VanMiller

If you we’re traveling in a Chevy, I’d say go for it. But in a Ford, ya best not risk it.

That's pretty funny! Last time GM made a dependable tranny was way back with the Turbo 400 and that was a long time ago.

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by carringb

The intermittent nature of you new trans symptom would make be strongly suspect the main connector into the trans just isn’t seating. .

It’s likely your correct about the connector. It appears the connector has leaked transmission fluid into the wiring harness and saturated it between the transmission and the PCM. Sadly, Ford says that part is no longer available and all they can do is replace the transmission, except that they are no longer available either. As a result it appears that my warranty is now worthless. Additionally, I had to pay a $250 diagnostic fee out the door because they were not able to repair the problem. At this point, I’m going to abort the trip, return to the dealer that installed the transmission to begin with, and take it up with them. Hopefully it will hold on until I get there. Meanwhile I will look into The aftermarket for a replacement part

[gcvt]

Sorry to hear that Jeff.

[marret]

Crap, sorry as well Jeff. Wish you the best.