looking for a cheap computer (chip, etc.) upgrade
#1
08-31-2004, 11:56 PM
looking for a computer (chip, etc.) upgrade
my transmission is shifting hard....., sometimes, but not all the time. when it shifts smooth it's really sweet, but when it shifts hard.., it really sucks!! i heard that you can get a computer upgrade kit to change everything from engine stuff to how your tranny shifts. It will also be cheaper than a new tranny! Will this work??
thanks for any info!!
thanks for any info!!
Last edited by lovejinx; 09-01-2004 at 08:41 AM.
#3
09-01-2004, 04:29 PM
Former Sponsor
Hi lovejinx,
Funny screen name.
No, a custom tune will NOT correct your transmission shift problems, *IF* I understand what you are saying correctly.
A transmission that sometimes shifts inappropriately harsh is usually heading for a mechanical breakdown, and sooner rather than later - it could leave you stranded at any time.
It sounds like if you have already had that checked out and been told you need a new transmission - and if so, then that is probably true.
Yes, we CAN control the shift firmness levels & characteristics in the PCM's programming, but that will NOT fix a *mechanical* problem - and it sounds like a mechanical problem inside the transmission is what you have, as what you describe is NOT normal at all - on the stock factory program, that transmission should ALWAYS shift very smoothly, and NEVER harshly - so if it sometimes shifts firmer than normal and you have not just disconnected the battery, then you've most likely got transmission woes that will be corrected by replacement or rebuild only.
So if you are being told you need a new transmission, it's probably true - wish I could give you better news!
Funny screen name.
No, a custom tune will NOT correct your transmission shift problems, *IF* I understand what you are saying correctly.
A transmission that sometimes shifts inappropriately harsh is usually heading for a mechanical breakdown, and sooner rather than later - it could leave you stranded at any time.
It sounds like if you have already had that checked out and been told you need a new transmission - and if so, then that is probably true.
Yes, we CAN control the shift firmness levels & characteristics in the PCM's programming, but that will NOT fix a *mechanical* problem - and it sounds like a mechanical problem inside the transmission is what you have, as what you describe is NOT normal at all - on the stock factory program, that transmission should ALWAYS shift very smoothly, and NEVER harshly - so if it sometimes shifts firmer than normal and you have not just disconnected the battery, then you've most likely got transmission woes that will be corrected by replacement or rebuild only.
So if you are being told you need a new transmission, it's probably true - wish I could give you better news!
#4
09-01-2004, 05:58 PM
thank you for the input!
no i haven't had my tranny checked, should i get it hooked up to diagnosis computer? will that narrow it down enough to let me know if i need a whole new transmission or just rebuild/repair the old one?? do you have a rough estimate to rebuild/repair?
sorry about all the questions.........., but i need to get something done. the cheaper (but good), the better. getting married in oct. and don't have alot of loot.
by the way, *JINX* is my dog's name...., which i love...., hints "lovejinx".
no i haven't had my tranny checked, should i get it hooked up to diagnosis computer? will that narrow it down enough to let me know if i need a whole new transmission or just rebuild/repair the old one?? do you have a rough estimate to rebuild/repair?
sorry about all the questions.........., but i need to get something done. the cheaper (but good), the better. getting married in oct. and don't have alot of loot.
by the way, *JINX* is my dog's name...., which i love...., hints "lovejinx".
#5
09-03-2004, 09:52 PM
Former Sponsor
I hear you, lovejinx - My wife & I are pet lovers too. My last ****er spaniel (Snydley) had to be put down just shy of his 15th birthday, due to losing his mind - literally. Canine Alzheimer's. His body might have gone 16 years or more, but his last few months he just really didn't know who or where he was - not a fun way to go, so we had to put him down. They steal your heart quickly, if you're like us.
Anyway....
Since you have not actually had the transmission diagnosed yet, then things might not be all that bad - you need to do that first, have it looked at now - you may well get lucky and have a small problem that is easily fixed if taken care of now. I had incorrectly surmised from your post that you might have already had a diagnosis, and were maybe looking for a way to make it live a bit longer, or a cheaper alternative, etc.
A good Ford dealership can handle the diagnosis for you, and I'd have it checked out right away, before it gets worse - you might be able off head off an expensive repair. Just make sure the Ford dealership you go to has a properly trained transmission specialist to diagnose it, as not all dealership have really good transmission techs - just a tip, so check that out if you go the dealership route.
I'm assuming the tranny has been properly maintained, and that it has the proper level of transmission fluid (double-check!) and that the tranny fluid & filter are both relatively fresh, too - if they're over 30K miles, that's too long.
In a worst-case scenario, a remaned Ford automatic transmission for a late-model F-150 at a dealership is usually going to run somewhere in the neighborhood of $2K-$2.5K. If it comes to that, you might be better off price & warranty-wise going with say, a Jasper Engines & Transmissions replacement transmission, with a nationwide warranty, etc. - heck, lots of Ford dealerships use Jasper.
Me personally, if I actually had to replace the tranny in my truck, I'd take $2K+ and put it in a strong performance-built unit, as they cost about the same as a factory unit from Ford (for a 4R70W, anyway), and will stand up to much more for much longer - keep in mind that you can shop pricing on a complete tranny, there's all kinds of deals out there, and you may find out you can get what you need for less than $2000-$2500 - that's just what to expect from Ford, for example - but a quality unit isn't going to be much cheaper and the warranty coverage & conditions is most important with that kind of major expenditure.
I hope this works out well for you, that it turns out to just be a relatively minor thing, anything shy of a new tranny! Best of luck on your upcoming marriage, too.
Anyway....
Since you have not actually had the transmission diagnosed yet, then things might not be all that bad - you need to do that first, have it looked at now - you may well get lucky and have a small problem that is easily fixed if taken care of now. I had incorrectly surmised from your post that you might have already had a diagnosis, and were maybe looking for a way to make it live a bit longer, or a cheaper alternative, etc.
A good Ford dealership can handle the diagnosis for you, and I'd have it checked out right away, before it gets worse - you might be able off head off an expensive repair. Just make sure the Ford dealership you go to has a properly trained transmission specialist to diagnose it, as not all dealership have really good transmission techs - just a tip, so check that out if you go the dealership route.
I'm assuming the tranny has been properly maintained, and that it has the proper level of transmission fluid (double-check!) and that the tranny fluid & filter are both relatively fresh, too - if they're over 30K miles, that's too long.
In a worst-case scenario, a remaned Ford automatic transmission for a late-model F-150 at a dealership is usually going to run somewhere in the neighborhood of $2K-$2.5K. If it comes to that, you might be better off price & warranty-wise going with say, a Jasper Engines & Transmissions replacement transmission, with a nationwide warranty, etc. - heck, lots of Ford dealerships use Jasper.
Me personally, if I actually had to replace the tranny in my truck, I'd take $2K+ and put it in a strong performance-built unit, as they cost about the same as a factory unit from Ford (for a 4R70W, anyway), and will stand up to much more for much longer - keep in mind that you can shop pricing on a complete tranny, there's all kinds of deals out there, and you may find out you can get what you need for less than $2000-$2500 - that's just what to expect from Ford, for example - but a quality unit isn't going to be much cheaper and the warranty coverage & conditions is most important with that kind of major expenditure.
I hope this works out well for you, that it turns out to just be a relatively minor thing, anything shy of a new tranny! Best of luck on your upcoming marriage, too.