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ybarrabells's avatar
ybarrabells
Explorer
Apr 08, 2017

93 Bounder won't move when tranny is in drive position

Hello. 1993 fleetwood bounder 34' motorhome, 44,000 miles, with a ford 460, and a 4L80E tranny. Driving on freeway slipped once, rpm's raised, thought it had downshifted climbing a hill, immediately released the throttle and reaccelerated and it ran fine for approx 100 miles. Exited freeway to fuel, came to a stop light, when it turned green I stepped on the gas and there was no forward movement, just raised RPM's. Went from"D" to "2" and limped it to the gas station. Fluid is normal in appearance and smell. Reverse, Neutral, 2nd and 1st work. Just not "D". What are your thoughts?
Class A
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Apr 08, 2017
    Has the fluid and filter ever been changed since 1993? When I changed mine at 30k miles the magnet inside was loaded. In 24 years and that few miles you may have moisture build up inside. I would drop the pan and change fluid and filter before You expect the worst.
  • wildmanbaker's avatar
    wildmanbaker
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2017
    I believe he meant 4R70 or 4R80. Everyone makes mistakes. All Ford C-6 series should/will start in 2nd, if 2nd gear is selected. Its the programing.
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Apr 08, 2017
    If you do have a 460 engine then you have an E4OD transmission.
    Those older Ford transmissions would take off in second when the shift lever was in "2". That would explain why you was able to limp to the gas station. Now you need to find the reason why 1st gear is not working properly. Your torque converter is probably OK. Else wise, you wouldn't have been able to move in 2nd gear.

    Richard
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2017
    That's the first I've ever heard of a GM trans with a Ford motor. Very interesting. It sound like the torque converter to me. I lost 4th gear once in my '96 Dodge. I was trying to get home so I just used 1st thru 3rd. Eventually I lost 3rd, after a few more miles I lost 2nd. Eventually lost 1st about 1 mile from home. It wouldn't move forward at all. I put it in reverse and that still worked. I backed it home the last mile.
    Transmission guy said if I had just let it set after loosing 4th it would have been a much less expensive repair instead of an entire rebuild. Live and learn.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Apr 08, 2017
    Sounds like the torque converter (hopefully not). Not a good sign that it works in 2 but not in D. What does the fluid look/smell like? 44k is not impossible for a trans to go, fairly uncommon (except on dodges), but not impossible. There is also age on the trans.
  • Stranger's avatar
    Stranger
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2017
    4L80E is a GM trans. Don't understand why it's hooked up to a FORD 460.
    However, it sounds like the Torque Converter is shot. Seems like lock up went first then the rest. Not a trans expert but I have blown up a few expen$ive transmissions in my day.
  • ybarrabells's avatar
    ybarrabells
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2017
    Hopefully I don't have to replace the transmission. Which would seem odd at 44,000 miles.
  • okhmbldr's avatar
    okhmbldr
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2017
    Sounds like a shift solenoid. Easy to fix but you have to drop the pan.

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