I have an 86 Bronco 5.0 EFI w/the AOD.

I bought the truck w/a bad trans and after some time I decided to R&R the trans myself and have it professionally redone.

After reinstalling the rebuilt trans and trying to setup the TV cable. I find that it doesnt start to pull until well past 1/2 throttle, the tech shortened and adjust it so that it pulls the TV cable just off idle, it wont allow it to go past about 2/3 throttle before the TV cable stops the throttle from opening all the way. I know it did this BEFORE I removed the trans also, which is probably why it went bad to begin with. Its as if the TV lever on the trans isnt moving far enough???

I was trying to set it up to get it in the ballpark so I can have the shop set it w/the gauges. I brought it to the shop that did the trans, the tech and I are both stumped. I got the truck from a friend so I know the manifold and everything on the engine is original. The linkage isnt binding on anything that I can see.

it does shift and does not slip, but the shifts are erratic during test drive w/tech. I installed a new reman torque converter, 24,000lb trans cooler in series w/ stock in-radiator one, amsoil trans fluid and superior shift kit.

Can anyone help me troubleshoot what it might be. The linkage on the engine looks as it should and as it does in the book..... The tech shortened the TV cable in attempt to remedy the problem. Please help, I know Im already after a new TV cable but what else could cause it to feel like the geometry is so far out of whack?? I definatly fear burning up the trans and wasting the significant investment I have into this truck so far.

Thank you for reading this longish post and thanks in advance for any help!!!

Tony

 

I have examined it over and over again, the throttle linkage is servicable and proper, the cable now replaced w/a good unaltered one.

I need only one peice of information to help me troubleshoot this.

How much movement should be in the TV lever on the trans? If measured at the linkage ball on the end of the lever...... aprox how far?? (86 AOD), This way I can at least figure out if the problem lies inside or outside the trans.


Final plea for help..........Thanks!

Tony Burke

 

I can measure mine. It should be similar. Give me a starting point and an ending point to measure from.

1988 Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Limited Slip - Manual Hubs - 208,000 miles

 

Thank you!!!

Im mostly concerned with about how far that TV lever on the outside of the trans can move, its total range of movement not counting any of the linkage coming from the throttle body

Im thinking something inside must be keeping it from realizing its full range of movement.

Thanks much for helping! I really appriciate this!

Tony Burke

 

I will try to do it this afternoon. I will get someone to Move the transmission lever from P to 1 and I will try to measure movement of the "linkage ball at the end of the lever".

1988 Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Limited Slip - Manual Hubs - 208,000 miles

 

Thanks, thats the measurement Im in need of. I believe the TV cable is going to move its full range from idle to wide open throttle. Im not here w/the truck so Im not sure if gear selection has an effect on the TV lever position.

This whole experience is a crash course in AOD/TV function for me. (To bad a C6 doesnt come in 4sp OD)

Tony Burke

 

I'll do it as soon as I can. It has been raining every day in Alabama.

1988 Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Limited Slip - Manual Hubs - 208,000 miles

 

Is there any possibility the throttle lever on the transmission has been changed?
It sounds as though the lever is too short to be able to get a full range of movement.
Disconnect the cable from the lever at the transmission.
Fully depress the gas pedal from inside the cab.
Put a brick on it or something heavy that will hold it down.
With the throttle lever pushed to it's limit, how much difference is there to make it connect?
I bet you need a longer lever.

 

Thanks for responding, I took the lever part # and called a friend at the ford parts counter. He said its the correct lever for my truck, as well as few years back and forward calling for only this lever.

I got the truck from a long time friend that drove it for many years, he sold it to a guy that killed, rebuilt and killed the tranny again inside of a week. I bought it from my friend after he redeemed it from impound 2weeks after selling it

I guess the next appropriate step is to see if the trans is from something else (2WD or car) and find out if that has a different TV throw. Maybe the lever is correct for the truck but not the tranny.

I had no idea keeping the AOD would be sooooo much fun!!!

Tony Burke

 

have you looked in your haynes manual for proper adjustement

 

I checked into the manual before I did anything-just to get it close, I decided to have the guy that did the trans adjust it so if anything went wrong I could drop it on his doorstep w/o him saying that I didnt adjust it correctly leading to its premature failure. This is where the issues started

It could not be adjusted w/the TV actuating arm that was on there (right one for the truck according to part #s) The tech found another actuating arm that has an offset at the end, sort of like an "L" shape, almost the same length but it allows proper traval of the TV linkage w/the throttle.

The test drive reveals sweet firm shifts, I think some microadjustments are in order. Durability and longevity are paramount even over performance.

Near as we can tell, the valve body is likely from another year/model and required slightly different linkage than existed in the Bronco. I hope this might help anyone else that runs into this potential nightmare.

THANK YOU, Life is good again!!

Tony Burke

85 Bronco 5.0 AOD
Meyers Manx (4 sale)

 

Hmmmmmmmm.
I remember saying that.

 

Casey:

The rain is supposed to stop today. Did you still want me to take that measurement?

1988 EB Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Limited Slip - Manual Hubs - BFG 32/11.5 AT - 208,000 miles

 

Thanks but it shouldnt be necessary. It seems to be upshifting as it should w/this different arm on it. I think the linkage issue is cured,

I had to microadjust the TV cable when I got it back, got 2nd happening by 15 and 3rd by 25 under light throttle. Sometimes I have to actually put it into 1st manually when I come to a stop or it wants to start out in 2nd.....sometimes. Thinking the governor was ignored by the trans shop. I may have to pull all this back down so I can get the tail housing off and correct this myself.

Thanks for the help anyways! I think it should be fine as far as the linkage goes.

Tony Burke