Once upon a time I saw a post or article somewhere on the board giving a "How-to" on the darn MPLS replacement. Unfortunately I haven't yet found the right combination of search terms to turn that one up.

Anyone have a clue to where it is??

Thanks
Swit

 

Remove the nut for the linkage, unhook the electrical connector, put the transmission in neutral, remove the sensor. Put the new sensor on, and line up the notches. I'll try to find a picture of it lined up.

Shouldn't take more than about 5 minutes.

 

Here's Steve83's pic of how to align it:
http://www.superford.org/registry/ve...a.php?id=81709

 

Bigric,

Thanks for the link to Steve's jpg. That helps. At least I know that the adjustment should be on.

But.

After swapping out the MLP (and adjusting per pic) I have no cranking yet. I do have power (dashlamp test cycle with ON and fuel pump, etc.) but not yet cranking.

Tricky part on the replacement here. The Dealer gave me a kit, complete with replacement wiring harness connector (kit form) for the new style switch. The switch is supposed to be 'as is' for '95 and newer. For the 94 E4OD you have to swap out the connector on the rig with the replacement.

Need to verify wire and pin position for the plug adapter now.... to either confirm or correct. I'm not going to rule out a pin placement error, nor a broken (internal) wire for the MLP... but whatever is stopping me is doing well!!

Does anyone have a color code listing for wires to/from the MLP??

Will check in the A.M. or late P.M. after work. Looks like mass transit for me tomorrow.

Thanks

Swit

94 Bronco, 5.8L E4OD

 

http://www.superford.org/registry/ve....php?id=111426

Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function
1 57 (BK) Ground Circuit
2 359 (GY/R) Sensor Signal Return
3 199 (LB/Y) Manual Lever Position Sensor to EEC Module
4 463 (R/W) Electric Transfer Case Module to Transmission Range Sensor
5 33 (W/PK) Starter Control to Interlock Module
6 140 (BK/PK) Backup Lamp
7 298 (P/O) Fused Run Only Feed
8 32 (R/LB) Starter Control


It's either out of adjustment, or you've got the wiring incorrect somewhere. A major problem with the MLPS is that the ground seems to fail, so try grounding it to the chassis if you don't have luck with anything else. Also, those notches are supposed to be aligned with the transmission in neutral, so verify your adjustment.

If you'll enable email in your settings I'll email the troubleshooting flowchart to you.

 

Bigric

Interesting difference between the packed instructions and the pin location sketch and text in your prior post. I'll see about scanning the factory sheet later for sending.

Using the sketch positions (your link) the MLPS packaged instructions are labeled as follows:

Pin# -- Circuit ID

1 --- 463
2 --- 359
3 --- 199
4 --- 57

5 --- 33
6 --- 140
7 --- 298
8 --- 32

These positions are the same relative positions on the supplied sketches for both the 1989 - 1994 and the 1995 E4OD MLP/TR Sensor Vehicle Harness Connector Layout (same outline of part as given in your linked sketch.

The discrepencies are pins 1 - 4, which are reversed between your text/sketch. Pins 5 - 8 are in agreement between them.

Nick

 

I got that from the Ford Service DVD; I looked up a '96 Bronco/F-series E4OD, which should be the same for all E4OD transmissions. The 4R70W tranny uses the same connector but has a diffent pinout, FWIW.

 

We win after all.

Many thanks Bigric, it took a bit of compilation of resources but it did come together at last. Just in case someone else looks for the silly thing, on *this* 94 the color / pin assignments run (using your sketch to ID pin # and the Circuit callout from the instructions with the part (Ford I.S. 6628 or I.S. 6599)):

1 2 3 4
Rd/Wht Gry/Rd Bl/Grn Blk
463 359 199 57


5 6 7 8
Yel/Rd Blk/Pk Purp/Pk Rd/Bl
33 140 298 32


Salute & thanks!!

Swit

 

Glad to hear you got it together. Isn't it weird how two official Ford documents tell you to do the same thing differently, and they're both wrong?

 

Yup, there seems to be some inconsistency in wiring code colors from year to year, which would be the biggest culprit. Probably one of the reasons that the instructions only list the circuit / pin and not the color of the wire!

Of course the instructions also mention doing the wires one at a time so you don't screw up the order... not that you can't get it wrong doing it one at a time. Okay, maybe *you* wouldn't..

Good news is that the road tests so far look good.. or gooder. The large 'hiccup' hesitations are gone. I did notice a little shudder that was either the road or a remaining 'bug'. That *might* have been road surface.. or not.

That will take a bit more to determine.. but felt much more subtle. A momentary set of small shudders... strongly reminiscent of a miss on a cylinder that's intermittent. ((That's compared to the rather stout shock/hiccup that was.. which would occur in sets of one or several typically as I'd put on moderate power. Most often ~ 1800 - 2000 rpm starting to pull a bit of grade.))

Anyway, the BIG whack is gone it seems.. more to go.

If it counts though, the changeout of the passenger side window control switch went smoothly without any technical hangups. hehehehe... ((course, if I'd screwed *that* up there'd likely be a dark Bronco pull up (mirrored windows) and some large, silent men in dark suits and sunglasses to take away all my tools...))

Swit

 

Okay,

Changed the MLPS out and yes, the initial test runs looked pretty good, except that little 'shudder'. (See prior post)

Now, things are a bit less subdued. Different than the original 'shake' but very similar.

Shudder kinda feels like a really bad miss that 'clears' after several seconds or a drop to a lower gear. Most pronounced at lower rpm, higher gears .. well behind the power curve.

Thoughts??

Swit

'94 351W E$OD

 

I just want to add a comment. The MLP sensor is also know as the neutral safety switch.

 

Its a more complex device than a neutral safety switch. I actually contains several resistors that send different voltages back to the ECM so it "knows" what gear has been selected.

Ford did change both the connector AND the configuration when they did the internals upgrade in 1994. So the diagrams and pin configurations ARE different for pre-94 E4OD's. If you have to replace an MLPS on a pre-94 E4OD that has NOT been rebuilt, you will need to change the connector on the harness AND the MLPS which requires splicing that makes the necessary pin configuration changes.

 

My transmission was upgraded the first year. On my 94 the dealer sold me the MLPS with the rearward facing connector. Alignment with the marks when in neutral was impossible and the starter solenoid would not engage. Returned it, and got the one like original with connector on top labelled for '95. Harness connector slipped on perfectly and it started right up. However, it did not fix my 3-4 shifting issues. I'm looking for a used computer now.

 

You are absolutely correct Greystreak92! I just wanted to add that about the MLP sensor because most parts stores carry them as neutral saftey switches. I know because I am trying to buy one. I tried to search Oreilly's and Advanced Auto on line and all I got for MLP sensor was "no results". Just trying to be helpful.