Is there a simple fix, or do I need a new transmission?

Question

I have a 1986 Ford F250 4x4 with the 6.9L diesel and a C6 transmission. I lost 2nd gear. Here is what happened. In the morning I drove the truck to work. and everything was fine. The truck sat all day. When I went to go home, it would not shift out of first gear. Even when I would manually try to shift through the gears, I only have first. I applied vacuum to the modulator with my vacuum pump, and now it will shift from 1st to 3rd. It skips 2nd gear. Is there a simple adjustment that will fix this, or do I need a new transmission? I am a profession mechanic, but I don't deal too much with transmissions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

You might want to change the filter but sounds like you have bigger problems.. just got though putting one in a blazer...worked fine when we parked it and when we got ready to go the next morn. it would not go into high.  It would shift in low, low 2 and never go into high, if you take down your tranny pan and see shaving in the bottom of the pan your in trouble.  

Answer 2

took the words right out of my mouth. pull the pan and see what you find in it.

Answer 3

Is the vacuum pump working? Since diesels don't produce enough vacuum to operate the modulator and brake booster they use a belt driven vacuum pump. The line going to the modulator should lead to a FIPL valve on the side of the injector pump (Fuel Injection Pump Lever). The FIPL valve regulates the vacuum going to the modulator...using a vacuum pump might not provide an accurate enough vacuum signal to the modulator, hence the skipping second. The valve may be leaking or simply need an adjustment.

I would suggest giving these guys a shout, someone there should be able to guide you through the process of adjusting it. This is one of the best sites on the web for Ford diesel powered trucks:

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f31/

Answer 4

I would ask for a loan to get antoher vehicle