Hey guys (and gals), I have a quick question about the AOD in my '86 F-150. On cold mornings (below 40*) the truck will not lock up the torque converter or shift into OD until I have driven a couple miles. Is this considered normal for these transmissions? It shifts up through the first three gears fine, but just won't go into OD like it normally does. When it is warmer out it goes right into OD. I changed the fluid and filter about 8 months ago. This is my first truck with an AOD in it, so I don't know much about them. Thanks.

 

I don't know if Ford does this, but all my other cars with OD do not lockup the torque converter until the engine is warmed up enough for the computer to go into closed loop. I suspect this is to make the engine and tranny warm up quicker. Plus the engine may not be warmed up enough for the "lugging" that goes on in the higher gear.

 

That's kinda what I was figuring, but I wasn't sure. It would make sense to keep it in third gear longer so the truck would warm up faster. I was just curious. Thanks for the reply.

 

I have noticed that on my truck too, colder it is, longer it takes for OD to engage. There probly a thermal sensor inside the transmission valve body for that reason. I haven't seen any other thing that could cause this externally of the AOD.

Anybody have oil flow diagrams of the AOD? That should show something.