I have a 1994 f150 4x4 with the e4od and have been going around in circles with a harsh shift park to reverse, reverse to drive and so on. I have done everything clean valve bodys and new oil complete twice and thought it was internal.
Now my reasoning is I just finished several checks and the tranny still acted exactly same. I drove the truck over a rough road to get to a parts truck yesterday and the truck when I got back in it after checking the parts truck and heading home mine never messed up even a little bit flawless smooth shifts. this is why I think electrical.
at first I thought the new fluid and all on the rugh road had done something and cleaned out something so I sumized if it stayed away it was internal and if it came back it wasl electrical. So later I went intentionally to a rough road. Harsh shfits are back.
Question without these fancy electronics is there a way to check the electrical harness and system since you cant wiggle wires while going down the road. I have replaced the silinoid pack plug in with a new one already. My second guess is if its possible the manual shift sensor is bad?? any tips appreciated
Grumpy

 

Something you might check,
Look inside the electrical plugs for any signs of green corrosion. Once unplugged, it doesn't hurt to clean them out with a little WD40. . Check them all. Believe there are 3.
Do both the male and female parts.

Is there any way you can have the vehicle checked for transmission codes ?
There are a few items that could cause harsh engagement in forward and reverse. The idea is to not waste a lot of time and $$$ hoping to hit the problem. If you were to provide the codes here we should be able to help guide you to the cause..

Yes, the MLPS ,manual lever position sensor, could be contributing to the problem, but we like to PROVE what we suspect before spending a lot of time and $$$ on something,. Can you do this ?