4r70 sporadic shift issue

[widowmaker77]

So I’ve just recently had a 4r70w built by a guy that I’ve known forever and he used to be the transmission guy for our local ford dealership.
The transmission shifts fine BUT occasionally when I take off from a stop and give it some extra gas the trans acts like it goes into neutral and as soon as I back off the gas it takes first gear and shifts all through the gears perfect.
I ran a key on engine running test with my scanner and got range sensor out of specs. Drove it around all day the next day and zero issues. Today I decided to adjust the range sensor by aligning the two lines while the trans is in neutral. Not sure if that’s actually how to do it or not. Drove it to town and it did it again at one stop light but only once. Anyone have any idea what could be causing this? Pic is of the two lines I’m referring to on the sensor

 

[nvrstuk]

Those are the ONLY two scribed lines correct?

The one on the alignment ring and the one of the actual range sensor?

If so, that is correct.

Then you move on to is your linkage correctly adjusted? Is it really in "D" when the shifter says it is? Linkage geometry makes a world of difference here.

Are you running stock auto shifter? What type?

Are you running US Shift self contained controller?

Always questions...

 

[widowmaker77]

Those are the ONLY two scribed lines correct?

The one on the alignment ring and the one of the actual range sensor?

If so, that is correct.

Then you move on to is your linkage correctly adjusted? Is it really in "D" when the shifter says it is? Linkage geometry makes a world of difference here.

Are you running stock auto shifter? What type?

Are you running US Shift self contained controller?

Always questions...

Yes sir those are the only two scribed lines that I see . I know ford has a special tool for setting these correctly. Just not sure if it’s necessary?
Stock 77 column shifter. I fabbed an extension onto the oem 4r70 shift lever to meet the column shift rod and pin.
My explorer ecm is shifting my trans.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Sounds like you are a touch low on fluid. Check fluid level.

 

[frdboy]

Here is part 1 of 5 videos that Jay @ Broader did for this issue. Maybe this is what is going on with yours.

 

[widowmaker77]

Sounds like you are a touch low on fluid. Check fluid level.

Fluid level looks good. I believe I put a total of 14qts in it before I drove it anywhere

Here is part 1 of 5 videos that Jay @ Broader did for this issue. Maybe this is what is going on with yours.

thank you! Definitely sounds like what I have going on. I’ll check these all out

 

[nvrstuk]

I'm leaning towards geometry. It could be the video, but if you fabbed an extension on to the 4R70 linkage, you could be exactly spot on with your shifter when the range sensor is in neutral, and when you shift in to drive, or you shift into Park or " 2" for manutronic manual shifting, the linkage has potentially moved the actual range sensor passed the exact location for those positions

Try this again-

Align your linkage and your range sensor to make sure the lines are lined up in neutral with all shifter linkage disconnected.

Move the 4R70 linkage on the trans shifter down into park and see if you're rod & shifter up to the column align perfectly. Then do the same into "2nd" and see if you're linkage rod going up to your shifter linkage, now slips in perfectly or if it's a little bit short or it's a little bit long due to the arcing movement of the 4r shift linkage.

All I'm saying is make sure that when you move your shifter on the column that it is not a little bit - not quite far enough or a little too far- meaning that your shifter could be briefly allowing the trans to be in neutral when actually your column shifter says it's in drive.

Long shot but could happen with torque of the engine when you stop, take off, hammer the throttle etc
Only know of it happening once but...

 

[EFI Guy]

Before you get into tearing stuff apart... Just watch the transmission range on your scantool while you run it through all of the gears. Do it slowly so you can tell when it registers from one gear to the next. If it's out of adjustment it will be easier to tell when you watch the same data as the PCM. If it starts showing drive when you are not completely past the neutral detent that would be a big red flag.

 

[widowmaker77]

Before you get into tearing stuff apart... Just watch the transmission range on your scantool while you run it through all of the gears. Do it slowly so you can tell when it registers from one gear to the next. If it's out of adjustment it will be easier to tell when you watch the same data as the PCM. If it starts showing drive when you are not completely past the neutral detent that would be a big red flag.

Defiantly will do this this weekend. Have to wait untill my son is off work so he can hook his computer up to my obdlink. My phone doesn’t have the options to see any trans stuff

I'm leaning towards geometry. It could be the video, but if you fabbed an extension on to the 4R70 linkage, you could be exactly spot on with your shifter when the range sensor is in neutral, and when you shift in to drive, or you shift into Park or " 2" for manutronic manual shifting, the linkage has potentially moved the actual range sensor passed the exact location for those positions

Try this again-

Align your linkage and your range sensor to make sure the lines are lined up in neutral with all shifter linkage disconnected.

Move the 4R70 linkage on the trans shifter down into park and see if you're rod & shifter up to the column align perfectly. Then do the same into "2nd" and see if you're linkage rod going up to your shifter linkage, now slips in perfectly or if it's a little bit short or it's a little bit long due to the arcing movement of the 4r shift linkage.

All I'm saying is make sure that when you move your shifter on the column that it is not a little bit - not quite far enough or a little too far- meaning that your shifter could be briefly allowing the trans to be in neutral when actually your column shifter says it's in drive.

Long shot but could happen with torque of the engine when you stop, take off, hammer the throttle etc
Only know of it happening once but...

I’ll double check the lincage again