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General Discussion / Re: Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF Level

« Last post by Taildragger on October 05, 2026, 05:51:42 pm »

Problem Defined!

As suggested, I found an AUTOZONE parts retailer where they ran diagnostics tests on my FORD E350.  Upon my request,  using their "FIX FINDER" to list trouble codes, they were able to determine the Throttle / Pedal Position Sensor was the culprit causing the Idiot Light to illuminate.

The Technician at the counter was kind enough to explain.  Simply put, the connection between the accelerator pedal and fuel flow is electrical.  Not mechanical linkage.  Switch A and Switch B share an acceptable range of voltage. 

As he pointed out, the error also causes Cruise Control to disengage.  A very knowledgeable individual, with a lengthening line of customers building, I refrained from asking additional questions.  One being: what prompted the Idiot Light to disengage?  About a half dozen engine off/on cycles??

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General Discussion / Re: Sewer hose storage

« Last post by LRUCH on October 05, 2026, 11:57:09 am »

Agreed, I think they are all initially setup the same. All of the maceration videos from the factory shows the pump on the outside port and the cap on the rear port. I decided to swap the 2 out ports,,,, I put the maceration on the one that points to the rear (with replacement straps to support it). and the cap on the one that points to the diver's side.


This swap accomplishes 2 things
1. It makes it much easier access when you want to connect using the larger sewer hose.  It is now in plain sight when you are on you knees, but hidden when standing.
2. It moves the maceration pump out of sight. I personally didn't like seeing it stick out at the edge of the fender shirt.


Here's a pic of my rig connected to sewer using the traditional stinky slinky hose. Port Lavaca county park puts the connection right in the middle of the parking spot (no idea why!) instead of in the ground the drivers side.... Even the water and power are on the wrong side. That aside, you can see how easy it is now to connect a hose in this config.  LOL,,, looking through my photo library I must avoid taking pics of the sewer connection. This was the only one I could find. I think it took it specifically to show someone the weird setup at this beach RV Park,.

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General Discussion / Re: Sewer hose storage

« Last post by wideglide on October 05, 2026, 10:37:25 am »

Camperfan i would assume yours should be set up just like mine. The drains for the gray and black both feed into a 4 way 3inch pipe. 2 input and 2 output. The 2nd output is capped and thats where i will hook gravity dump hose when i ever need to do it. It points straight to the rear bumper. As far as the valves mine have a small ring that you can pull out and then rotate the valve handle clear of the actuator so you can open/close manually if your actuator has failed. I'll snap a few pics tonight an add them either here or a new post for you tomorrow.

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General Discussion / Re: Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF Level

« Last post by Ron Dittmer on October 05, 2026, 09:07:14 am »

Even those times the pan is removed and the filter discarded, the refill to capacity amount to capacity is considerably less.

It sure is.

The external secondary bell jar filter is an odd feature that is found only in the 2004 to mid 2008 5-speed TorgShift transmission.  Only a portion of transmission fluid runs through it, and if it becomes 100% clogged, no harm is done to the transmission as the system is then bypassed.  It is an "extra" system solely for "refined" filtering.  The filter in the pan is different too so maybe it does not filter as well as the one that replaced it in the years that followed.

Here is a picture off the internet of the external transmission filter bell jar housing.


This is the filter inside it.  It appears to be a "refining" filter for maintenance of the fluid.

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General Discussion / Re: Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF Level

« Last post by Taildragger on October 04, 2026, 08:35:34 pm »

Because I didn't have any maintenance records from prior (owner(s), replacing all the fluids and filters was on my First Things To Do list.  The transmission system retains a large amount of ATF inside the case during the process.  Even those times the pan is removed and the filter discarded, the refill to capacity amount to capacity is considerably less. 

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General Discussion / Re: Sewer hose storage

« Last post by Ron Dittmer on October 04, 2026, 07:43:05 pm »

Does not every PC have a manual dump backup system?

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General Discussion / Re: Sewer hose storage

« Last post by Camperfan on October 04, 2026, 07:12:15 pm »

How do you gravity dump, in the event that the Sanicon system fails, or the Barker auto drain valves?

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General Discussion / Re: Smart tv upgrade

« Last post by Ron Dittmer on October 04, 2026, 05:32:59 pm »

I know what you mean about the external rooftop antenna.  The wings like to "slap" the roof with bumps in the road.  I stuck on the wing tips, large thick felt pads used for sliding furniture on hard floors.  That completely solved the irritation.  I also added a signal boosting contraption on the antenna, wondering if it does any good.  For as often as we utilize the antenna, it is hardly worth keeping.  But you know how it can go, the day that I remove it, is the first trip out that I wished I hadn't.

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General Discussion / Re: Automatic Transmission Fluid ATF Level

« Last post by Ron Dittmer on October 04, 2026, 05:21:23 pm »

Pay very close attention to the exact type of transmission fluid to add.  I read that it is VERY critical.  I always keep one quart in the motorhome.

Our 2007 Automatic Transmission - TorqShift 5-speed requires.....
fluid name: Motorcraft MERCON SP
fluid part number: XT-6-QSP/MERCON SP

For our 2007 TorqShift 5-speed with secondary external bell-jar transmission filter, at 25,000 miles I drained the trans pan via the drain plug, replaced only the external filter, and considered it good until 50,000 miles.  The transmission fluid that drained out looked great/fresh.  At 50k I will be dropping the pan and replace the internal filter along with repeating what I did at 25,000 miles.

Our odometer is currently at 46,000 miles.

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General Discussion / Re: Smart tv upgrade

« Last post by Taildragger on October 04, 2026, 04:46:16 pm »

I agree!  But I am content with the installed TV, which supports any electronics connecting with HDMI capabilities.

Because of the features available with cellular networks, Starlink, and others, I removed the DVD and repurposed the empty shelf for storage.  The rooftop noise maker, sometimes doubling as a TV antenna, has been retired to the Trash Heap.  We now enjoy relative quiet, as we travel.