hard shifting automatic

Mike(NEOhio) · Jun 1, 2018

My 99 F250 has always been a little hard to shift. Got four years old. Now putting in the third shift lever shaft. They break at the screws that hold the cable bracket on. At first I thought it was in the plastic shaft bushings or the cable but figured out it's the lever down on the transmission. It's been getting stiffer lately and I have trouble getting it into park, especially with the bad shoulder. Have to use two hands and it's hard to pull down into drive. Yesterday I couldn't get it into park at all. Today I douched it with PB and worked the lever back and forth with pliers for a while then let it set and worked it more a couple hours later. Not much change. Can anybody give me some advice on how to free it up?

Bob · Jun 1, 2018

Are you SURE it isn't the cable?

jimg.allentown · Jun 1, 2018

The MLPS on the transmission linkage has been known to get loaded with junk and bind. That is the big plastic looking switch on the side of the transmission where the linkage enters. Also could be the shaft going into the transmission.
First thing to try would be to disconnect the linkage at the transmission and see if the linkage works any better or easier.

Mike(NEOhio) · Jun 1, 2018

I'm sure it's not the cable, Bob. Both ends are disconnected and it moves easily in the sheath. The lever actually kind of squeaks when I work it with pliers. I don't think it's in the switch. When I work the lever I can hear the clicks. I there a seal in the case for the shaft? I tried once to take the switch off but couldn't get it to move. It looks like it should just slide off after removing the bolts but the plastic bushing seems to be stuck on the shaft.

jimg.allentown · Jun 1, 2018

Try taking the bolts out of the switch and see if you can turn it easily. If not, it is binding. It does just slide off, but time and buildup of every kind of dirt will bind it to the shaft. I had the same thing happen to my Explorer. Replaced the switch and it shifts so much easier.

Mike(NEOhio) · Jun 1, 2018

Thanks, I'll try that tomorrow.

Fred Werring · Jun 2, 2018

What jimg.allentown said.

Had an 03 F350 (4R100 trans) that was hard to shift, it was the range sensor.

Fred
Google range sensor search

Mike(NEOhio) · Jun 2, 2018

Boy, jimg, you sure called it. I managed to work the old one off this morning with tapping, prying and Kroil. I never would have believed just the plastic housing could create so much drag so just for S&Gs I split it. Nothing wrong with the contact area. All the drag came from the two thin O-rings and bearing area for the lever.

Mike(NEOhio) · Jun 2, 2018

Can't get the picture to upload.

jimg.allentown · Jun 2, 2018

Happy to help. Glad it worked out OK.

hard shifting automatic

Mike(NEOhio)

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Bob

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jimg.allentown

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Mike(NEOhio)

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jimg.allentown

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Fred Werring

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Mike(NEOhio)

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jimg.allentown

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