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Home >> Ford >> 2012 >> F 250 4WD Super Duty V8-6.2L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Automatic Transmission/Transaxle >> Testing and Inspection >> Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview >> Automatic Transaxle/Transmission - TorqShift(R) >> Preliminary Inspection

Preliminary Inspection




Preliminary Inspection





Check the following items prior to beginning the diagnostic procedure:

Know/Understand the Concern

In order to diagnose a concern correctly, the customer complaint or condition must first be understood. Customer contact may be required in order for the technician to begin to verify the concern. The conditions when the concern occurs must also be understood, for example:

- Hot or cold vehicle temperature

- Hot or cold ambient temperature

- Vehicle driving conditions

After understanding when and how the concern occurs, proceed to Verify the Condition.

Verify the Condition

This system provides information that must be used in both determining the actual cause of customer concerns and carrying out the appropriate procedures.

Use the following procedures when verifying customer concerns for the transmission:

Determine Customer Concern

NOTE: Some transmission conditions can cause engine concerns. For example, the torque converter not disengaging may stall the engine.

Determine customer concerns relative to vehicle use and dependent driving conditions, paying attention to the following items:

- Hot or cold engine operating temperature

- Hot or cold ambient temperatures

- Type of terrain

- Vehicle loaded/unloaded

- City/highway driving

- Upshift

- Downshift

- Coasting

- Engagement

- Noise/vibration- check for engine rpm, vehicle speed, shift, gear, range or temperature dependencies.

- On vehicles equipped with a Power Take-Off (PTO), the PTO (Power Take-Off) must be turned off. For a description of PTO (Power Take-Off) operation, refer to Transmission Electronic Control System Transmission Electronic Control System.

Check Transmission Fluid Level and Condition

Transmission Fluid Level Check

NOTICE: Do not drive the vehicle if the transmission fluid level indicator shows the transmission fluid below the DO NOT DRIVE mark or internal transmission failure could result.

NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended period of time at highway speeds, in city traffic, in hot weather or while pulling a trailer, allow the transmission fluid to cool down to obtain an accurate reading.

NOTE: Transmission fluid may be checked in the cold temperature range if the ambient temperature is between 10°-32°C (50°-90°F). Checking the transmission fluid level using the cold range indicates the vehicle has sufficient transmission fluid to be driven. Adding transmission fluid using the cold range may result in an over full condition when the vehicle reaches normal operating temperature. Transmission fluid level must be checked while in the normal operating range of 66°-77°C (151°-171°F).

Check the transmission fluid level during normal maintenance. If the transmission starts to slip, shifts slowly or shows signs of leaking, check the transmission fluid level.

1. Drive the vehicle 32 km (20 mi) or until the vehicle reaches normal operating temperatures.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the park brake.

3. With the park brake applied and one foot on the brake pedal, start the engine and move the selector lever through all gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.

4. Place the selector lever in PARK and leave the engine running.

5. Remove the transmission fluid level indicator and wipe it clean with a lint free cloth.

6. Install the transmission fluid level indicator until it is fully seated into the transmission fluid filler tube.

7. Remove the transmission fluid level indicator and inspect the transmission fluid level. The transmission fluid level should be in the designated area for normal and room temperature.










High Transmission Fluid Level

Transmission fluid level that is too high may cause the transmission fluid to become aerated due to the churning action of the rotating internal parts. This will cause erratic control pressure, foaming, loss of transmission fluid from the vent tube and possible transmission malfunction or damage. If an overfill reading is indicated, refer to Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill.

Low Transmission Fluid Level

NOTICE: Do not drive the vehicle if the transmission fluid level indicator shows the transmission fluid below the DO NOT DRIVE mark or internal transmission failure could result.

Low transmission fluid level could result in poor transmission engagement, slipping, malfunction and/or damage. This could also indicate a leak in one of the transmission seals or gaskets.

Adding Transmission Fluid

NOTICE: The use of any type of transmission fluid other than specified could result in transmission failure.

If transmission fluid needs to be added, add transmission fluid in 0.25L (1/2 pt) increments through the transmission fluid filler tube. Do not overfill the transmission with fluid. For transmission fluid type, refer to Material chart.

Transmission Fluid Condition Check

1. Check the transmission fluid level.

2. Hold the transmission fluid level indicator over a white facial tissue and allow the transmission fluid to drop onto the facial tissue and examine the stain.

3. If evidence of solid material is found, remove the transmission fluid pan for further inspection.

4. If the stain is a foamy pink color, this may indicate coolant in the transmission. Inspect the engine cooling system at this time.

5. If transmission fluid contamination or transmission failure is confirmed by the sediment in the bottom of the transmission fluid pan, disassembled and thoroughly clean the transmission, including the torque converter, transmission fluid coolers and transmission fluid cooler tubes.

6. Carry out diagnostic checks and adjustments. Refer to Diagnosis By Symptom Diagnosis By Symptom.

Water in Transmission Fluid

To correctly repair an automatic transmission that has had water or coolant introduced into the system, completely disassemble, clean and/or replace the following parts:

- All internal and external seals

- All friction material; clutches and bands

- Torque converter

- All parts with bonded seals

- All solenoids

- All transmission fluid filters

- Transmission fluid cooler(s)

Prior to installing the transmission, flush and clean the transmission fluid cooler(s), transmission fluid cooler tubes and transmission fluid cooler hoses.
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