I have a 1990 F-150 4x4 5.0L with 118K miles on it and E40D tranny. Had it parked for 7 months before I needed it for a camping trip on the 4th of July. The transmission seems to be having problems since I started it up. I noticed that it had a delay when selecting (D), so I checked the fluid level and had to add about 3 quarts to get it to the safe zone on the stick when hot and running. Before and after adding the ATF, here is a list of the problems I am having. The tranny was shifting fine when last driven, but the idle has been rough for 2 years now.
Symptoms:
Transmission will not upshift until engine is really revving. Say 35MPH in first then slams into 2nd. 2nd to third at about 70MPH and no OD engaging.
There is also no "drag" when I let off the gas from the drivetrain. It's like the tranny gets put into neutral when in any gear. I can then rev the engine back up the the matching tranny speed and I can accellerate fine.
If I start in 1 then manually switch to 2 then it shifts into 2nd fine. But 2 to 3(od) still needs excessive engine speeds to shift into 3rd.
Engine idle is very rough when starting cold. It will die if left unattended.
Once engine is warmed up though, idle is very high. Probably about
1500-2000RPMs.If I shut off the engine when it's revving this high, it will NOT start. It cranks over fine, but will NOT start unless starting fluid is used into the air intake tubes. (lame, but saved my ass from being stranded at a gas station).
I pulled the battery overnight to clear the PCM etc, but it made no difference. I am not getting any check engine lights, but it does work when I start the truck.
I was told to replace the fuel filter as leaving the tanks empty most of the winter caused rust to form, and filling the tanks moved the rust to the fuel filter and restricting the flow of gas, causing the engine computer to freak out and causing the tranny not to up-shift properly.
Any ideas? I really hope my tranny isn't wanged. It was shifting great till I let it sit for the winter.
TIA!