93 f-150 problems

[2shus]

I just bought a 93 f-150 real cheap and it has 2 problems. The headlights go out for about 3-4 minutes and then stay on for about 3-4 minutes. I pulled 1 of the large fuses under the hood and when I pulled it the headlites went out so I assume that fuse controls the headlights. But Im not sure why they go on and off. Next problem: The automatic transmission kinda slips like a standard transmission. It takes off fine without slipping and its shifts fine without slipping. The problem is when you are moving in 3rd gear and accelerate even moderately it kinda slips or shudders just like a standard shift does when the clutch is weak. If you accelerate very very gradually it does not do it. Also you can accelerate hard from a complete stop and it does not do it either, only when you are moving. Turning of the EOD button does not make any difference. It was 2-3 quarts low on fluid when I bought it so I added a quart of lucas and 2 quarts of fluid to bring it up to full. I have a very small investment in the truck and the 4.9 inline 6 runs like a sewing machine. I would appreciate any info, thanks.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

If you can, start out by pulling any codes.

There are a lot of sensors that control the electronic transmission One is the speed sensor on the rear differential. Another is the Throttle Position sensor. If either of these are malfunctioning, it will likely throw a code.

Do you have a reader and know how to pull them on your own? If not there's a few different ways to do it.

Ryan

 

[89frankenford]

to pull a code (on my 89 and im sure the same goes for 93 but i could be wrong) there is a single wire plug that is not plugged into anything that is on the drivers side wheel well under the hod. it should be next to another diagnostic plug that has about 6 sides on it. the single wire plug needs to be grouned either to the body or the battery. when its grounded sit inside the truck grab piece of paper and a pen and get ready to count the flashes. turn the key to on (dont start the truck though) and count the flashes.

look at this website to help you with pulling the codes.
http://www.fordfuelinjection.com/?p=13

the headlight situation is a wierd one. it could be a bad ground somewhere in the wiring system for the headlights. i would pull the bulbs and check the connectors for the headlights and make sure they are not corroded. also when they headlights are turned on but they dont work, check for voltage at the connector for the bulb and see if anything is going to the bulbs.

 

[smokey]

My experience with he Head lights is a bad dimmer switch. When they start to go bad they will do the exact thing you are describing. It should be a combo turn and dimmer switch.

 

[2shus]

I am giving an update on the transmission problem which was actually a torque converter shudder. I seem to have it fixed. I had read about a product called Dr Tranny's shudder fix that is a Lubeguard product and is sold at Napa. It is a friction modifier. Every review I read about it was positive. I spent $13.00 on 2 tubes and poured them in and drove the truck about 15 miles and in the last 7 or 8 miles the shudder stopped 100%. That makes me feel better thinking that tranny is not neccesaily toast. I didn't wanna spend for all that new tranny fluid and filter just find out it didn't fix the problem. So now I will drop the pan and drain the torque converter and drain the tranny lines and install all new fluid and a new tranny cooler and probably reinstall the friction modifier again. If anybody has anything to add that I should do when the pan is down please chime in. I'm still tryin to figure the headlight problems. Also it keeps blowin fuses for the tailights. I will take smokeys advice and check out the dimmer combo switch. Thanks for all the help.