My trans is acting weird

[Aaron@LDS]

Sorry for the long post but in this case I know more information is better.

I have done a lot of searching for an answer to what is happening with my transmission. Although there is a lot in common not everything is the same as the other threads. So I am looking for some direction.

It started 7 days ago. 8 days ago I used the truck like normal. I had to pick up my sisters Ford Escape and trailer it to my shop. Her driveway is steep and it was slick so I used 4x4 to maneuver in and out of her driveway with the trailer and SUV on. I towed her 7 miles to the shop. Unhooked and went home. The trip was uneventful, as everything seemed normal.

The next morning I got in the truck and put it in gear, and it wouldn't move. Drive flashed at me. I shut the truck off and restarted it. It went into gear after a long delay. It was stuck in 1st gear. I shut it off and restarted it. It worked again with delay, and a neutral feeling between 1st and 2nd. And again between 3rd and 4th. But I got onto the interstate and all gears worked. TC locked in 5th. After 20 minutes TC unlocked. I got off my exit to find I'm stuck in 5th TC unlocked. I make it to where Im going.

Going home its the same thing.

Today I needed the truck and it did the same thing. all gears work, but feels like neutral between gears.

It did it one day last winter then was fine all year. It only happens in the winter, and started on cold days both times.

I have Rob Coddens tuning, so I cant blame that. It did not happen while driving. just spontaneously in the morning. Built trans that never gives problems. Not sure who built it or what kit. I don't know a lot about the Transfer case, but I know it has a bad rear seal and I top it off regularly. I have tried to get a new seal, but its not the original transfer case according to the seal I bought (for an 01) being too small. So I assume it's an 03 transfer case...

My codes are p0700, p1721, p0732, p0734, p1723. These codes do not all come up on the same day, but over the couple day Ive checked them These are the codes I see. The last two are the newest.

Thanks for any advice you guys can give me. Oh, I also ordered a new NSBU that I'm going to install when it gets here.

 

[Mike L.]

Speed sensor problem. I would question the transfer case. The output speed sensor is in the case, but the TCM does not know this. Usualy the case has a problem because of wear.

 

[superswamper003]

Sort of sounds like mine sometimes.. Except mine only happens after the 1st startup of the day, I drive about 300 feet, then after I stop and look for traffic, the light indicating which gear im in dissapears and then there's a delay, then it goes into 1st gear with a lurch and sets p0700.

 

[Aaron@LDS]

Thank you Mike. I will take a look at the transfer case this weekend. Do I need to drop it out and tear it apart of the bench or can I do repairs with it on the truck? Ive never done anything to transfer cases.

 

[Aaron@LDS]

I just wanted to update. Went to move the truck and "test" it again. Stuck in 3rd. No more 4th and 5th options. Then later in the day tried one more time to see if it was a fluke thing being stuck in 3rd... I had no engagement at all R, or D didn't work after a half hour of shutting truck off and restarting and clearing codes. So, I guess my situation isn't that different from all the others I've read. I will be installing the NSBU first and see if the truck works. Then when I get to the shop I will tear into the Transfer Case and do a FULL inspection and replace the speed sensor.

 

[Aaron@LDS]

Another update...

I replaced the NSBU with one from XDP. The truck moves, but only has reverse and 3rd. The harness are very badly corroded. I sprayed them with PB blater because that was all I had. It helped clear most of the corrosion, but there is still some. Is the corrosion my issue. My new codes are p0708 and of course p0700. Other codes are gone for now. How should I clean the harnesses? Should I just replace them, or am I barking up the wrong tree.

Thanks again for your help guys.

 

[Aaron@LDS]

I still need help guys. I installed the new NSBU as I mentioned. Well I got it in the shop and cleaned the harnesses with corrosion cleaner. I get a gear indication now. But my new problem is, the new NSBU did not align with the bolt holes with the bracket installed. I tried removing the bolts, and with someone shifting from park to 1st I twisted the NSBU at the proper alignment for the indicator to show the correct gear. It does not lign up with the mounting holes. I then have to twist it another 1/4 inch in the opposite direction to get it to read the correct gears on the way from 1st back to park. In BOTH positions it does not lign up with the bolt holes. I will try and post the pics of the alignment for both directions shifting. Please advise me as to why it's doing this, and how can I align it...

 

[Aaron@LDS]

So I just thought I'd give another update on my situation For anyone looking into problems they are having. I pulled my trans and found the P1 planetary had a bearing totally gone. C3 frictions are burnt, and C4's are damaged (frictions falling apart). FML.

So my theory is that the debris got into the oil enough to make solenoids stick when the temperature dropped. That's why I didn't get a limp until it got cold out. The planet was still working off 3 gears so that fortunately didn't cause more damage, and the clutches were holding enough for me not to notice a problem.

 

[cafryer]

I think your suppose to install nsbu switches with the trans In neutral. The switch is in the neutral position out of the box and I think that is what it calls to do I'm not sure if it makes a difference but that is how I've always installed them

 

[Aaron@LDS]

Yeah, I did install it with the trans in neutral. I was just giving an example of how far my NSBU alignment was off. I sent it back and got a new one. Worked perfectly.

 

[MACKIN]

Yeah, I did install it with the trans in neutral. I was just giving an example of how far my NSBU alignment was off. I sent it back and got a new one. Worked perfectly.

I was going to suggest that as it sounded like you had the wrong one . Glad you have got it fixed. Who built it orngnally and how much abuse and miles on it?

 

[cafryer]

:thumb:

 

[Aaron@LDS]

I was going to suggest that as it sounded like you had the wrong one . Glad you have got it fixed. Who built it orngnally and how much abuse and miles on it?

I don't have any idea who built it. It was built when I got the truck, and at that time I was clueless about what to ask. It lasted me 4 years of ownership before any issues. This being the first issue. I bought the truck from Florida so I assume someone in that general area built the trans. It took a lot of abuse. I ran Rob's max effort built trans tune quite often. Only dropping down to the 110 race tune for a few tests in fuel mileage. I drove it easy. Never dragraced or sledpulled. 1 or 2 hard pulls to 100+ in the 4 years Ive owned it. Mostly just liked the instant throttle response from the 200+ tune while diving. I really don't know why the bearing went but I'm glad it wasn't worse.

 

[03spoolindmax]

I'm having the same problems right now. I was afraid that this is what was wrong with it. I guess I'll find out here in the next week or so when I pull my trans.