Expert: Skip Bollinger - 11/7/2006

Question
To start off, this truck is in mint condition with 80,000 well taken care of miles.  It is 4 wheel drive with an E4OD tranny.  The problem occurs when you apply the brake and shift into gear. If the brake is held while in gear, the engine stalls. The same thing happens when put in reverse, with a more abrupt stall.  If you are driving, and come to a stop, it will die shortly after.  Otherwise the tranny shifts perfectly through all the gears. In order to get the truck to go, you have to put it into gear and immediately let off of the brake.  I was told there is some kind of switch that unlocks the torque convertor when the brake is applied....? Once when i was driving it while this problem was going on, it shifted extremely hard through a couple gears, i was told that it may have went into fail safe mode for a minute. I forgot to tell you it has a 5.0 in it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Mike,
  I'm so very sorry to take so long to respond but I have been just getting my butt kicked at work. When I get home, well, I'm sure you know how it is. Now to your question...
  There is a Solenoid called a Transmission Shift Solenoid. I'm told by the Techs I have spoken with and they all feel this is the problem. Some asked if your ABS light has come on. IF it has, there could be a problem with your Speed Sensor in the differential. Also, some asked how the engine idles in park. If it idles fast (1,000 rpm or above), it could be a vacuum leak.
  You have given me quite a bit of information and from that information, the above are possible causes for your problem.
  I'm not a Tech, I'm a Parts Specialist O'Reilly Auto Parts. I have asked some Techs that I know to help us and those are their thoughts. I hope this help you. Good luck and let me know.
  In closing, if it is the Transmission Shift Solenoid, you will need to go to a transmission shop to have it fixed unless you have the ability to fix it yourself.
  Skip
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