97 powerstroke e40d tranny problems

dumper209 · Mar 18, 2012

i have a 97 powerstroke and the tranny just started to act up. when you put the truck into drive it wont shift at all but it will shift into reverse along with the first and second fine. the tranny fluid is full and the fluid dosnt seem to be burnt so i dont know if its the shifting silinoid or if it needs a rebuild or not?

Mark Kovalsky · Mar 19, 2012

Do you mean that if you put it in D it stays in neutral, but if you put it in 1 or 2 it will go into gear? If so, that's usually a forward clutch seal that is worn out. That takes a rebuild to fix.

dumper209 · Mar 19, 2012

no if you put it in drive it just stays in first gear and wont shift all the other gears work though

95PwrSmoke · Apr 5, 2012

did you look at the shift cable bracket the mounts to the frame under the drivers door. mine broke befor and i had the same problem, and sometimes when you put it in park it didnt go all the way forward, so it was in gear instead of park. the truck would shut off but wouldnt start back up unless you pushed the shirter hard towards the left or got under the truck and slid the shift cable collar back to the bracket.

Racer X · Apr 9, 2012

dumper209 said:
i have a 97 powerstroke and the tranny just started to act up. when you put the truck into drive it wont shift at all but it will shift into reverse along with the first and second fine. the tranny fluid is full and the fluid dosnt seem to be burnt so i dont know if its the shifting silinoid or if it needs a rebuild or not?

dumper209 said:
no if you put it in drive it just stays in first gear and wont shift all the other gears work though

If it's not a cable problem:
An electronic failure of the solenoid will flash the overdrive light on your shifter and set a (DTC) Diagnostic Trouble Code. The mechanical parts of the solenoid controlled by electronics can stick, however that usually leads to a DTC being set for slip.

The forward clutch is working, the problem would probably be either a valve or intermediate sprag. A custom valve body will fix a worn or warped valve body. An intermediate sprag requires a rebuild. Second gear will work in M2 if the sprag is just starting to fail and still holds partially.

If you can use M1, M2 then put it in OD and still have an automatic shift into 3 and OD, the above are your most likely causes unless you are setting DTC's and didn't mention it.

Racer
Product research and development consultant to the automotive industry.
Certified specialist on automotive electronic control systems, diesel and gasoline engines, custom transmission, powertrain and engine builder.