Ford truck/van OD won't engage

Hi

A non-profit I volunteer for recently received a '98 Ford E350 van. Overall it seems it was very well cared-for in its prior life and we lucked-out a bit. However, overdrive won't seem to engage. It has the push-button in the end of the shifter stalk and pushing it seem to do nothing- not in engaging OD, and not even shutting-of the 'Overdrive OFF' light on the shifter.

The shifter is definitely in D, and you can feel each shift take-place, but OD just doesn't engage. It's been quite awhile since I've worked-on a Ford with this push-button set-up. Any thoughts on why it's not engaging? I didn't didn't think to look before I left the office- could it be as stupid a fuse in the selection set-up?

Thanks

When these AODE trans fail it is usually the O/D belt inside the trans has let go, the vehicle will drive for a while but more gears will start going out soon.

OD belt ? Od is just an extra gear and is usually applied with a clutch and a planetary gear set. Since the OD lockout botton doesn't do anything, I would trace that out.

Sorry iceracer but the AODE has a OD band

read this

It comes with a special pressure solenoid, which has higher pressure than the stock solenoid and a performance pressure regulator spring. This is the main cause of clutch failure in the AODE / 4R70W transmission. The roller clutch is removed and replaced with a heavy-duty mechanical diode with a Spiral "Plus" Ring Kit. This is the weak point on the 1992-1998 AODE / 4R70W transmissions and needs to be replaced for any high performance / heavy duty use. Two extra clutches are added to the direct clutch drum, that gives 33% more holding power (Alto Red Eagle Power Pack). This transmission has a Fairbanks high performance TransAction Kit and an oversize overdrive servo. The stock overdrive band is replaced with a Carbon Fiber band. A new heavy-duty torque converter is included in this package deal. It has a larger than stock Luk clutch lining that is far better than the stock converter (#13). Can be ordered with stall speeds up to 2500 RPM for an extra $121.00. This transmission takes care of all the weak points in the stock AODE / 4R70W transmissions and is a must for high performance Mustangs. We install this transmission in all of our local police cars. Good for motors up to 550 horse power, see chart below. Add torque converter and hard shaft upgrades if needed.

Link to part

http://transmissiontechnologies.com/aod-aode-4r70w-carbon-fiber-overdrive-band.aspx

Thanks for the input.

It just occurred to me there is a fellow SCCA member who runs a Cottman's location. I should give him a call and set-up an appt. After I check for a bad fuse.... ;-)

I'll bet the failing OD was why this non-profit got the van as a donation...previous owner figured the transmission was about to go.

Check the fuse for the OD switch. If it is blown, than you probably have a frayed OD switch wire near the Shift lever.

The Dealer fix is about $350 for time and a $50 harness.

My 99 F150 had this problem. I did the hobby shop fix to the wires for $10 of miscellaneous stuff and 2 + hours of time.

Check out the various Ford truck forums for more info.

Rog

Thanks for the tip in the harness/wiring. I've got an extra day off next weekend so maybe some time will be spent troubleshooting wiring.

We actually received it more or less from a dealer. Volunteer's husband is tied-in with local auctions and such and when he told a local dealer it would be going to a non-profit, the dealer knocked something like $1000 off the price. That took it down to a very low amount.

Thanks again all - appreciate any advice. I'd say it's been awhile since I dealt with a Ford, but I drive an '05 Mazda6......

Given it is a E350, I bet it has an E4OD in it. That being said, those had a bad run of solenoid packs up and failing. Your best bet would be to find someone with a scanner that can read the transmission data and codes. From what that says or doesn't say, would determine if the trans has to come out or not.

Hopefully new OD switch/button will be in Thursday. Co-worker is friends with Ford tech and was told bad/shorted switches are very common problem in these vans.

If you're referring to diagnostic codes- there are none. At least not for the tranny. I do get one for insufficient EGR flow, but I'll start by pulling the tube to make sure it's clean, then the EGR itself to make sure the pintle is clear.

karlt_10 wrote: I do get one for insufficient EGR flow, but I'll start by pulling the tube to make sure it's clean, then the EGR itself to make sure the pintle is clear.

Can't help you with the tranny issue, but my '99 f250 6.8 had the same 'egr flow' code. Not sure if your '98 is the same, but, if the EVP sensor is aluminum, you'll end up replacing it with a newer style plastic one. Apparently it became a known issue with the aluminum sensor getting gunked up from the egr flow and the 'fix' was to make the sensor out of plastic. Hope that helps a little, and good luck with the tranny.

mark

aussiesmg wrote: Sorry iceracer but the AODE has a OD band read this It comes with a special pressure solenoid, which has higher pressure than the stock solenoid and a performance pressure regulator spring. This is the main cause of clutch failure in the AODE / 4R70W transmission. The roller clutch is removed and replaced with a heavy-duty mechanical diode with a Spiral "Plus" Ring Kit. This is the weak point on the 1992-1998 AODE / 4R70W transmissions and needs to be replaced for any high performance / heavy duty use. Two extra clutches are added to the direct clutch drum, that gives 33% more holding power (Alto Red Eagle Power Pack). This transmission has a Fairbanks high performance TransAction Kit and an oversize overdrive servo. The stock overdrive band is replaced with a Carbon Fiber band. A new heavy-duty torque converter is included in this package deal. It has a larger than stock Luk clutch lining that is far better than the stock converter (#13). Can be ordered with stall speeds up to 2500 RPM for an extra $121.00. This transmission takes care of all the weak points in the stock AODE / 4R70W transmissions and is a must for high performance Mustangs. We install this transmission in all of our local police cars. Good for motors up to 550 horse power, see chart below. Add torque converter and hard shaft upgrades if needed. Link to part http://transmissiontechnologies.com/aod-aode-4r70w-carbon-fiber-overdrive-band.aspx

If you had said BAND not belt, I would have not questioned your statement.

In reply to iceracer:

regardless, when the band breaks, the trans still tries to engage OD, it just acts like you dropped it into neutral.

marks93cobra wrote:

karlt_10 wrote: I do get one for insufficient EGR flow, but I'll start by pulling the tube to make sure it's clean, then the EGR itself to make sure the pintle is clear.

Can't help you with the tranny issue, but my '99 f250 6.8 had the same 'egr flow' code. Not sure if your '98 is the same, but, if the EVP sensor is aluminum, you'll end up replacing it with a newer style plastic one. Apparently it became a known issue with the aluminum sensor getting gunked up from the egr flow and the 'fix' was to make the sensor out of plastic. Hope that helps a little, and good luck with the tranny. mark

this.

EGR flow codes on Fords rarely has anything to do with a problem in the EGR valve, the DPFE sensor takes a crap and causes the code... used to sell a ton of those at AZ