3fe - did trans fail and is it draining battery? Advice deeply begged for (2 Viewers)

[Marco Lau]

Ok - thanks! so if engine oil is good, trans fluid good, EFI good, but ignition won't engage... is the only likely thing left the fuel filter/pump, for things that would cause both loss of power and also keep the engine from starting?

When key is in on position as you said, the battery shows as being at about 1/4 up the meter. But I checked the battery itself with a meter and it read about 11 volts...

11 is pretty much dead. Your alternator is probably on its way out, and your battery will need to be recharged or replaced.
12..5-13.0 volt for new battery,

 

[evanjcby]

Since drive was lost while towing a load uphill it suggests to me that the transmission overheated. Doesn't mean it's dead. Sometimes all you need is a cool down and then it will be fine again. Fluid level OK?

You mentioned a big oil slick on the tow truck. Did that for sure come from your 80, and is it motor oil or transmission fluid?

I do not know for sure that it was from me... nor what fluid it was. I would have guessed motor oil. There is no puddle where its currently parked...

As for shorts - I know the prior owner installed an auxiliary trans cooling fan. If that shorted out, that could explain both the trans overheating and the short…

I dont think thats something I can check myself though.

 

[Marco Lau]

I do not know for sure that it was from me... nor what fluid it was. I would have guessed motor oil. There is no puddle where its currently parked...

As for shorts - I know the prior owner installed an auxiliary trans cooling fan. If that shorted out, that could explain both the trans overheating and the short…

I dont think thats something I can check myself though.

Go look at the aux fan in front of the trans cooler. How is the fan wired? On/off switch or via a thermostat? take some pic and report back. You can quickly rule out the suspect then. The A440F tranny takes tons of abuse before it will let go. If you suspect your tranny overheated, pull the tranny pan and remove the screen filter, clean out all the debris or replaced new filter, refill with new fluid and it mostly likely will come back to life.. Install a tranny temp reader, the A440F runs cool, around 160-180F on highway/stop and go traffic, it can get up to 225-235F if your coolant is compromise and if you are rock crawling in 4Lo in extreme heat. but i wouldn't keep in those temp for long tho.... good luck.

 

[evanjcby]

Thank you! I'll see if I can get a picture this afternoon. I'm hoping you're right and trans is fine and it's a battery/alternator issue or a fuel filter issue.

 

[evanjcby]

Hi! Update: Battery was fried, alternator was on its way out. Got it rebuilt and new battery. Everything is running great now - or, as it did before.
There's still some engine shake at idle/low speeds... but, we're back on the road.

Thanks again for all