I've just had a 2003 D2 4.6 engine dropped into a 1999 D2 with 68,000 miles. The body is in incredible condition with a nice stack of maintainance records and the engine has only got 5,000 miles on it. The install was done by Roverman, in New Bedford New York who obviously knows hisway around these vehicles but there have been some bugs and I'd like to get a little advice so I can be sure to explore all the issues when I speak with him tomorrow.

Here's what's happened; the truck drove beautifully when I picked it up but about 125 miles later the 'sport' and 'manual' light started blinking simultaniously. I looked it up on the site and read about low voltage issues. It goes away when restarted and saturday there was nothing all day, so I thought I'd drop in a new battery on monday and be done with it. However this morning (sunday)when I started the vehicle I couldn't get reverse to engage. Forward gears all worked ok although it seems to be shifting very heavily which also concerns me. I drove about 5 miles and restarted reverse worked fine.

I'm not sure where to start, it seems to be a signal or sensor problem not a mechanical one but I'm not sure if there is anything I can look for myself. The place where I did the work is an hour away so that complicates things as well. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

First don't buy a new battery yet, have it checked and only replace it if the voltage is lower then 12 volts.
You should take it to a transmission shop and have them read the trannt fault codes, then get back to us. It is pretty safe to say this is going to be more ECU related then tranny.
Mike

 

Good advice. I agree about the ECU issue. They used the original 4.0 ECU from the truck with the new 4.6 engine so I expected the faults to be with the engine performance not the tranny. Fortunately I also have the 4.6 ECU so at least I have an option if the original was problematic.

 

I was referring to the ECU for the tranny, a separate ECU. Your engine should be fine on the 4.9 ECU.
Mike

 

You won't believe what it was.. the overdrive cable had gotten hooked on a nearby bolthead and was constantly in tension. One flick of the finger and perfect shifting resumed. Finally a break my way! I'll have to drive it a few days to stop holding my breath but the ride home was as smooth as silk.

Thanks again for the advice Mike.

 

That was a lucky break for you.
Mike