AOD not shifting properly

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Dec 21, 2008 | 05:07 PM

pc_2000

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Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 348

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From: Lutz, FL

AOD not shifting properly

Hi All,
I just started last weekend with a problem with my AOD transmission. Last Thursday and Friday I put several hundred miles on the truck running around for work and it drove and shifted fine. The next day (last Saturday) I took it out to get a Christmas tree and it wouldn't shift until max rpm. Nothing had changed overnight. Yesterday I siphoned out some fluid and added some Seafoam Trans fluid in it, thinking that the valve body might be varnished up. I drove it about 10 miles after that, varying speeds and conditions including highway to get it into overdrive.

Any ideas as to what the problem could be, especially so quickly over night? I'm going to go take it for a quick spin to see if anything has loosened up yet.

As you can see from the other post "Transgo vs B&M" I am still looking to install a shift kit for firmer shifts. Guess I should hold of on the kit til I get it shifting properly again? Would draining everything and installing the kit be a good time to clean up the valve body?

Hopefully you guys and girls can help me figure this problem out. I've always had bad luck with Ford automatics. I kick myself for not getting a stick.

Dec 21, 2008 | 05:42 PM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

The TV cable is everything when it comes to this tranny, make sure it's connected and moving correctly at both ends, and that the preload adjuster hasn't moved. You can verify this without even starting the motor, just have somebody watch the lever on the tranny while another cycles the throttle linkage.

Dec 21, 2008 | 05:53 PM

pc_2000

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Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 348

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From: Lutz, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conanski

I checked that on Saturday before I added the Seafoam. It seemed to be moving fine.

I did just take it out 'around the block' twice, which is about 10 miles each time around. This has stop lights and 45mph on some, 70mph highway for about 5 miles and then back road 45-55. At first it was hanging until max rpm to shift even with light or no throttle, had a tough time at each gear. After the second time around the block, it seems to be shifting better, sooner and more often, not just hanging and not shifting, so I am guessing the Seafoam is helping.

Guess I'll take it to work tomorrow and give it a run. It'll get about 150 miles on it tomorrow. I'll let you know how it's doing.

Should I just leave the Seafoam in it til my next fluid and filter change, which is still about 30k+ miles? Or should I drain it after so long and run just ATF in it again?

I'm thinking at the next change to go with the B&M Shift Improver Kit as well, not for the shifting problems but for firmer shifing and to hopefully eliminate the 3rd-OD-3rd indecisiveness it has had.

Dec 22, 2008 | 12:07 AM

gbrewer

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 58

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From: Fairfield oh

same problem

I hadthe same problem last year. Throtle cable to transmission broke off. Welded it back on, now runs fine

Dec 22, 2008 | 09:09 AM

clerk

Junior User

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 93

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From: Grove City, PA USA

I installed a Bauman Engineering kit and parts in the valve body to help my AOD. What a difference it makes, very firm (actually hard) when it is not towing -- but I built it for towing my 24' pontoon boat. There is a reprogramming kit that does away with the 3-4 hesitation which is actually engaging the overdrive before it releases the 3rd gear position. I would recommend their kit.

but make sure that the cable is adjusted correctly and working smoothly.