Over Revving

[firebuild]

Making a new thread for this, although I did bring it up on another one.

In the past couple of weeks, it's started over-revving when I shift into third. Normally I would immediately think transmission but I'm wondering if there's anything else that can cause this issue, since my rebuild is only 7,000 miles old. I vaguely remember reading something on oil burners about an over revving issue with IDIs, but I can't find it now.

[peteg59]

Is there a reputable transmission shop in your hood that you trust?
Based on your description it does sound like a slipping transmission. Hopefully not, but your bus doesn't have the real high tech computer controlled drivetrain that is common on newer 04-up busses that could, on extremely rare occasions, potentially, make this issue happen.

If no local transmission guy/gal is available to accompany you for a diagnostic road test, posting up the video mentioned in your coolant thread might help?

[superbusWI]

7k on a rebuilt trans? if I was in your shoes i'd already be talking to whoever did the rebuild, probably pretty loudly. sorry man, that does indeed suck.

[magnakansas]

I think you should telephone the place that "rebuilt" your transmission. Now. every time that transmission goes for a third gear and your engine speeds ups... I think not good news at all for the internal parts. I think the longer you wait on this one, the more likely you will be doing it again.

I really hate saying this.

william

[cadillackid]

when you say over-revving.. is it just waiting to long to shift or does it flare severely on the shift? at part throttle does it shift better than at full? check the modulator cable to make sure its tensioned correctly?
-Christopher

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by magnakansas

I think you should telephone the place that "rebuilt" your transmission. Now. every time that transmission goes for a third gear and your engine speeds ups... I think not good news at all for the internal parts. I think the longer you wait on this one, the more likely you will be doing it again.

I really hate saying this.

william

I hate you saying it, too, but you are probably right. I haven't been driving really so I don't have video but I will get some today.

[firebuild]

Well thanks to DawgBüs (different name on YT) for mentioning overdrive in the comments on this video - I think this is the problem and will be running some tests today! But meanwhile here is the latest video which touches on this issue (as well as coolant).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-B3XUir7kE

[firebuild]

OK, here is a video I was finally able to get. It's just a short audio clip, but please tell me what you hear.

I had the transmission flushed and refilled. It seemed like things might have gotten little better. But the problem isn't gone. It's been suggested this is a problem with an overdrive sensor. So I tried driving with overdrive off when going under 50 mph, and even with the overdrive turned off this happened occasionally, which makes me doubt it's an overdrive problem.

Of course I know no one can definitively dignose this from a little audio, but I have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get the warranty honored here in MA, so if there's another possibility that comes to mind, I'd love to check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQMkVeTcQDA

[peteg59]

If I was you Mary, I'd find a transmission shop that you trust locally. Then request an appointment with a tech to take a quick road test with you to diagnose if its the transmission malfunctioning or simply an adjustment needed.
The vid you posted is too vague to be able to give you good, reliable, analysis. A specialist needs to experience the issue in person in order to definitively diagnose the problem.

I know I've repeated myself above, but unfortunately nobody will be able to tell you if its good or bad from that short soundbite. All they'd be doing is "wag"-ing it, (wild ass guessing).

I really wish I could help you further but having a transmission expert road test it, is what you really need in order to solve this issue.
A reputable and honest shop will not charge you for the road test/analysis.
Good luck, and let us know what he/she finds...

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by peteg59

If I was you Mary, I'd find a transmission shop that you trust locally. Then request an appointment with a tech to take a quick road test with you to diagnose if its the transmission malfunctioning or simply an adjustment needed.

I got three names from the original shop that did the rebuild today, so I'll be calling them tomorrow. They don't really know anything about these shops, though... it's the "shop you trust" part that is so difficult. At this point, with the things I've dealt with - gas in the tanks, wrong parts installed, spending a month in the shop but getitng worked on for half an hour - I don't really trust anybody. I'm just gonna have to read the reviews and pick one.

I posted this by request but I forget who requested it. Anyway, there is is if it jogs anyone's mind or anything.

[peteg59]

If the original out of state rebuilder gave you 3 local names to get in touch with, it sounds like they are not just trying to "blow smoke" your way. That is a good sign!

As far as the honesty and reliability of these 3 entities, perhaps yelp or the BBB website can give you an idea if their customers are generally satisfied with their work. Other than that, its unfortunately a crapshoot.
I'd try to get all 3 shops to accompany you for a road test and then get their independent analysis...

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by peteg59

I'd try to get all 3 shops to accompany you for a road test and then get their independent analysis...

Unfortunately not one of them would commit to this - it's a drop it off and they keep it for the day situation.

It's going to the highest rated of the three tomorrow night for evaluation on Wednesday.

[peteg59]

Sorry to hear that, Mary.
Doesn't give one a warm fuzzy feeling about the potential honesty/integrity of any of the shops. Business must be good for all of them to wave your request off.
Best of luck to you in getting this issue sorted out...

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Sounds like third gear clutches to me. I have heard of coolant cross-contamination in the trans cooler before. I would get a fluid analysis to be sure, but that could be what is going on, and could also be what caused the original failure.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by CHEESE_WAGON

Sounds like third gear clutches to me. I have heard of coolant cross-contamination in the trans cooler before. I would get a fluid analysis to be sure, but that could be what is going on, and could also be what caused the original failure.

Will check it out, thanks. I postponed my checkup till Monday due to other obligations.

[peteg59]

After thinking about your situation with the 3 shops, I've had a change in thought sort of...The shops are likely busy and time is money.

They need to make money, obviously, so stopping in the middle of an ongoing job slows them down and costs them money if you decide not to have them do the work. It still strikes me oddly that they wouldn't make a 15 minute evaluation appointment with you to go along on the road test.

I wish I was closer geographically to you. I'm not an "expert", but I can tell if a trans is "slipping" or late shifting, etc.

Are these 3 shops tied back to the rebuilder out west? Assuming you have a written warranty from the rebuilder, will they honor it in full?
Assuming yes to both ?'s above, your worries/concerns should be put to bed hopefully!

Have you been able to check your trans fluid for correct level and/or contamination on the dipstick after the latest Valvoline "flush"?

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Originally Posted by firebuild

Will check it out, thanks. I postponed my checkup till Monday due to other obligations.

One other thought. I just noticed your bus is a 91 E-series with a diesel. That should be an old-style Ford AOD, and if so, there is a cable for trans control, similar to a kickdown, but more like the throttle valve cable setup on GM's 700-R4/4L60.

If this cable is not adjusted correctly, it can cause line pressure problems, and thereby shift problems. If that's the problem, you might get lucky if it hasn't damaged the trans and the cable isn't stretched. Just pop it back on usually, but sometimes the chintzy plastic clip that holds it on the throttle / injector pump disintegrates from underhood heat and lets the cable disconnect.

I had one pop loose on an 88 Vic once and it drove me nuts until I found it. Not sure how this would hook up on a diesel, as there is no throttle body (perhaps some connection to the injector pump), but if there is no cable, perhaps a bad throttle position sensor (Ford gassers are known for this, possibly the diesels too).

[Booyah45828]

Won't have an aod, but an e4od. There won't be a cable, but an fipl sensor on the side of the injection pump that sometimes quits or goes out of adjustment. They have a write up on oil burners about how to test and adjust it if a person is feeling ambitious.

Maybe you should mention that to the tranny shop when you drop it off. I'd hope they would check that as part of their process, but who knows.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

Won't have an aod, but an e4od. There won't be a cable, but an fipl sensor on the side of the injection pump that sometimes quits or goes out of adjustment. They have a write up on oil burners about how to test and adjust it if a person is feeling ambitious.

Maybe you should mention that to the tranny shop when you drop it off. I'd hope they would check that as part of their process, but who knows.

Yes, I actually planned to print the Oilburners thread you mentioned about the sensor and one other thread to drop off with the bus.

Originally Posted by peteg59

After thinking about your situation with the 3 shops, I've had a change in thought sort of...The shops are likely busy and time is money.

I wish I was closer geographically to you. I'm not an "expert", but I can tell if a trans is "slipping" or late shifting, etc.

Are these 3 shops tied back to the rebuilder out west? Assuming you have a written warranty from the rebuilder, will they honor it in full?
Assuming yes to both ?'s above, your worries/concerns should be put to bed hopefully!

Were you able to check your trans fluid for correct level and/or contamination on the dipstick after the latest Valvoline "flush"?

Yes, fluid looks good, and honestly the stuff they took out looked fine! Level was/is good, too.

The shops are not tied to the rebuilder in Iowa. The guy there promises me he will make good and I will not be left stranded, but it would be him negotiating something with the local shop.

I think the unwillingness to schedule a drive is a question of having the freedom to do it at ANY point in the day, when they can reasonably break away from their other jobs. I told them I didn't mind just hanging in the bus waiting, since I'll basically be home, but if they want to pull it into the shop I become a liability. Anyway, I should have an answer from them soon enough - unless the problem decides not to be there at all when they're checking it out.

I honestly don't think it's going to turn out to be transmission, anyway. There are a few other possibilities I've come across, and my experience is that once a transmission problem starts, it only gets worse. It doesn't temporarily go away. This thing is intermittent. It will happen for a few hours, then be completely fine the entire next day. It's not tied to temperature or how long it's been running or how hard it's been running or ANYTHING discernible. It just happens for a while and then doesn't. Which is a big mystery.

I wish you were closer, too!

[firebuild]

Hey, one other question I wanted to throw out there.

This whole problem started not long after I had to get towed out of mud by a tractor. At one point, he pulled before I had put it in drive. Could this have damaged anything that could lead to something like this?