Question for you guys, I pulled a code on my 1992 F150, E40D auto trans, 4.9.. for bad vss, low/high voltage to mlps, truck not in park during KOEO test (which it was in park) and a code for excessive converter clutch slippage. I’m trying to swap out a few thing to fix a shuttering trans during shift changes and cruising from 45+ mph...basically Change what I can before taking it to a transmission shop.

I opted for the autozone duralast brand ($48) as I didn’t think ahead and order a motocraft brand. I wanted to just swap this out and be done...but the new mlps had a different wire harness, and inside the box was a new female connection and 3 different bushings...with no terminals to attach to the 8 wires.

this quickly became a nightmare as I clipped the old harness because it was is terrible shape and old plastic had broken! Wires loose and bare, only to find out I had no way to connect the stupid wires back to the new female connection. I read and watch guys just undo 3 bolts and are done with this job, did I do something wrong and overwork myself or has anyone had this issue? I think it’s ridiculous that I need to change the harness and there’s nothing provided in the box to do it. On top of that no shop carried the terminals I needed so...
Im currently waiting on a new female connection with prewired connections and pigtails ($25)to make it easier but it won’t be here until 6/3! Fingers crossed it will all work in the end. Just wondering if I made a huge mistake trying to change this nightmare myself.

 

Maybe these images may help:
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As for the excessive converter clutch slippage if the TC is blue you would need to change it out.

Did you do anything about the VSS code?
The VSS could be why you are getting the shuttering trans during shift changes but could be the TC also or solenoid pack.

 

Wow thank you for the reply! I was worried I’d not got a great picture of wire orders or wrote it down wrong so this will keep me straight when the new part comes in. My problem was the wires were so torn up and brittle and the harness was so old everything just kind of broke the more I moved it. I couldn’t release the pins to save my life either due to corrosion, dirt, and old age.

Yes i I changed the VSS, made no difference in my transmission problems. I’ll probably just have to take it in to have the tc replaced, wonder what that will cost me. Probably see about getting the rear main seal replaced and oil pan gasket around the same time.

Thanks again for the reply,it will help lots when the time comes.

 

Is there any way to test the MLPS to be sure it's the culprit? I'm about to buy a transmission rebuild kit but would be nice to make sure it's not something as simple as this switch before I go that far.

 

what problem is your truck having? Shutter also?

I wish I would have looked into this option. I replaced mine because the wire harness was broken and exposing wires. You Might climb under and look at it and see how that looks on your truck. I will say after all the heartache and buying new parts after replacing it all nothing changed in my trucks shutter. The more I drive the more I think it’s a miss or timing or a stator problem. I ended up just buying a new whole distributor setup top to bottom complete. I wanted to test the stator as another member gave me a link to show how but I’m currently working 7 days a week and at lunch and just ordered it. When I’m off I’ll replace and try my best to keep timing right.

 

Description
The Manual Lever Position (MLP) sensor is a ratiometric rotary switch mounted on the transmission shift linkage. It indicates the position of the shift lever by way of a variable resistance.


Manual Lever Position (MLP) Sensor
Resistance Specification Table


Test Schematic
E/F-Series/Bronco (E4OD)



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The reason the terminal change out is after 95 they were way more waterproof and reliable obsolete the old style analog until they went digital

 

Well, dang. I didn't see these replies. I usually get an email. I already bought a new MLPS so I guess I'll go ahead and put it in and see what I get. I'll test this one first though using this. Thanks for the detailed info, this is great.

@JamesJ4 , it's slipping in and out of gear pretty often. Sometimes will jerk shifting first to second. There were some symptoms in another thread that suggested it might be the MLPS. I'm skeptical, but I'd love it if this was all it is. Otherwise, I'll be rebuilding the transmission.

 

Just an update
Huge thanks guys. I put the new MLPS in this morning using this sheet. Shifting is 100% better! Now that I understand how this works, it explains a lot. Half the time when I would put it in drive, it wouldn't go first try. I'd have to put it back in park and do it again before it would engage. Must have been failing for some time.

It's back on the road so thanks a ton! It doesn't look like I'll need to rebuild yet.

 

Can you confirm my assumption that you did not need to drop the transmission in order to get the harness out? Does this depend on what kind of chassis you have? Like is it possible I may have to drop the transmission to get the harness out of a '96 E150?

 

From what I read the OP did not remove the harness from the truck. He replaced the connector at the MLPS.

I would think removing the harness on a van would be easier than in a truck because you can remove the dog house. It should be right there.

 

sorry, i meant connector, not the whole harness. I was wondering if he had to lower the transmission to get the connector off and on. the doghouse actually doesn't give you any access as you can see in the pic below:

 

No you don’t. I replaced the MPLS connector on my ‘94 Bronco in my driveway. I didn’t even put the truck on jack stands.