Hi- I have a 1987 Bronco with a 5.0 L 302 V8 and a AOD transmission. My transmission has always shifted roughly and not at the right time. Its always seems like it gears down when its not supposed to, then gears back up again. Basically, going in between gears constantly. It also seems like it revs up the rpm's before it finally switches to the next gear, especially in the lower gears. I was told the only way to adjust the transmission on a AOD Transmission is to adjust the TV Cable. How do you go by doing this? In addition, the throttle is pretty stiff and seems to stick sometimes. Is there a way to adjust the throttle cable also? I would told to lubricate the cables real well.
Thanks-
That was soooo easy!!! I don't need the adjustment but I've read the description for this adjustment in the manual and it seemed more complicated. Thanks for posting that sack, it went straight to bookmarks!
Could the problems im having with the transmission have to do with the TV Cable Adjustment? If it is, is it too tight or too loose. I heard that tight is better, but like that video says "Neutral" is best.
Do exactly as the video says. An improper adjustment on that tranny can result in premature failure.
I believe that your issue is most likely from the TV cable being out of adjustment. Kicking in and out, and holding low gears for a long time is a sign that it needs it.
some other questions-how's the truck otherwise? milage, maintenance, etc. you note that it has always done this, since new, or since you've had it? I ask because I doubt the tv cable stretched or slackened that much over time. I've seen the odd shift and hopping in and out of overdrive on a 302/oad in an f150 and it turned out to be a intake leak. truck didn't idle fast, ran smooth, etc, but there was just enough torque loss from that lost cylinder that your foot had to be more in it to go, which in turn affected the tv cable, since it is attached to the same butterfly linkage as the throttle cable. might do a quick check of your spark plugs and see if one or more of them look fouled, lean, etc. you might find something else is the root cause of the shift issue. this chart is helpful if you don't have a mechanic buddy reading to analyze the plugs http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp
Thanks-
I am changing the spark plugs, wires, and replacing the ignition coil soon. The Transmission was flushed not too long ago, but I will check the Transmission Fluid for the heck of it. What about adjusting the cable that comes from the actual accelerator pedal? It seems stiff and almost seems to stick a little at times.
Thanks-
I actually think it was too loose, its better now. I basically followed the video and maybe put a very minute amount of tension on the cable adjusting it. But, it shifts smoother now. It does do the back and forth thing between gears, but its better. Before it was letting the rpms run up before it would shift.
Thanks-
Sorry, but heres a dumb question, when you all are talking "tight" and "loose", do you mean tight and loose at the throttle body end of the cable? Like if there is tension from the adjuster to the end of the cable, is that tight?
Thanks-
Shoot. Im scared if I adjusted the TV cable wrong. It feels fine driving, but I read your TV cable can be way off and it feel fine and that you need to check the pressure with a gauge while you adjust it. I don't want to crap up my transmission.
Adjust TV cable so it not or loose but "neutral" just like video says. Also is your tranny fluid low? Are you driving in OD or D? If you're doing a lot of around town driving in OD tranny is constantly gonna be switching between 3rd and OD. Put it in D around town and in OD on the interstate at speeds of 60 and above.
yo Walt!
Ken's Video shows the manual adjustment process; Ford/Steve's shows the same plus the so-called "preferred method" (see Baumann/TCI, etc for their recommendations, some Links below) using a pressure gauge.
The vid is ok, but I'd jump on da gauge process.
I had some shifting issues ( Waltman knows all about it ) after valve cover gasket replacement. Normally been told it shouldn't happen but it did in my situation. The tranny started to shift way to early and down shift too early (I can't remember if it down shifted too early before)
My regular mechanic reset the TV cable back to factory settings. That didn't fix the up shifting too fast. He then reset it using pressure gauge(s) but it still shifted too early. So finally he remembered that back in the day when he worked on F150/Broncos if the AOD's had a shift kit in them you have to adjust the cable a bit differently. All it took was a small adjustment (I can't remembered if he reduced the slack or tightened it up) and auto magically the up shifting went back to normal.
After my "tweaking" yesterday, I had the TV cable checked by an Transmission Shop. I had it set pretty much perfect. However, they discovered that the ATF was overfilled by whoever changed it last time and that it was a little burned. I didin't want them pushing unnecessary measures, so i d figure I would consult with some people first. What could this be? Does the ATF just need to be changed?
Thanks-
Looks fine to me. Seems like they were just trying to say that to have me spend some $$ on a flush or even worse find a minor problem inside and say i need a tranny rebuild. I just had it changed a few years ago. I think its fine. The only thing is when they flushed it, they way overfilled it, dunno what you do about that.
I've got an '88 with a C-6. I'm guessing the same rules apply. I tried to pull the cable so that the clip was up againt the end of the slack. But it would not adjust any more. Any thoughts?
I don't know much about transmissions, but the C-6 also has a band adjustment. As far as that picture, the cable shouldn't have that much slack. It should be up against the stop there with little or no tension. You said it won't adjust any farther?
AWESOME video, TOTALLY awesome. I can't thank you enough. My growling and squeeling noise disappeared, no more hard shifts, and I hope it got rid of the cold transmission problems ( update: too much Lucas Transmission oil in transmission causes problems in cold weather) I just did the adjustment ( my cable had too much tension). :thumbup . DEFINATELY reccomended to fix hard shifts, etc...
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