I am posting this for my dad who has a 01 Powerstroke SD. He has a transgo shift kit and no 1st gear now with the flashing OD light. Any ideas? I've read something about faulty solenoids but is their anyway to test it or replace it.

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

If he's got an 01 he's got the mechanical diode. If that has failed it has sent shrapnel through the trans and taken out a good share of it. It will require a rebuild if this has indeed happended.

 

He changed the fluid but found no metal in it. He said the fluid smelled like burned electrical wire. How hard is the diode to change? He has made several calls to Brian's truck shop about a replacement transmission but no one answers or returns the calls. are they typically that hard to get in touch with?

 

Yes, they are hard to get ahold of. Brian is extremely busy so during the day he won't answer the phone. The best time to talk to him is before he goes under the trucks which is usually about 8am CST. Sometimes during the day his wife Patty is around to help answer phones and return emails.


Even if the diode died you may not necessarily see metal in the pan. It may be stuck in the valve bodies. If the fluid smells burnt then the clutchs will also be worn down to nothing which may also be part of the symptoms here.

 

Thanks for the reply. How do you get to the diode and is it the same as the solenoid? Does anyone have a picture showing the transmission internals/ instructions for getting to the diode?

Thanks for the help PS73!

 

Nope, I couldn't tell you where its located or even what it looks like. Most guys that have it either run till it blows and then get an upgraded trans or go and get it upgraded before anything fails. I don't even know if theres a fix for it for a better setup without a complete upgrade.

 

A ford tech told him he smoked the clutches in first gear (he was pulling a tractor out of the ditch in reverse which is apparently a no no). I posted on the diesel stop about reputable transmission vendors and things to look for in buying and installing a transmission. Anything you guys here want to add?
ATS Diesel?
BTS?
Factory Tech?