Transmission Problems

Topic: Transmission Problems (Read 1544 times) previous topic - next topic

Transmission Problems

July 02, 2006, 01:49:34 AM

I recently bought a 1987 Cougar XR7 5.0 it had been sitting for 2 years without even being started. I was told the motor had been swapped from a 91 Thunderbird and the AOD transmission was the original with 130,000+ miles. The motor runs good after some work but the transmission will not shift right. Before the car gets up to temp it won’t even shift out of first after the motor warms up some it will shift into second but it shifts really hard and you have to run the car up to about 4,000 RPMs before it shifts at all. I have had the transmission flushed and a filter change with no difference at all. Does anybody know what the problem might be?

Transmission Problems

Reply #1 – July 02, 2006, 09:23:24 AM

Sounds unusual, but how is your coolant level?

My dads 89 Thunderbird had a headgasket on the fritz, and it would loose some coolant, and when the coolant was low, the transmission wouldnt shift properly, due to the cooler in the radiator.

Transmission Problems

Reply #2 – July 02, 2006, 10:16:52 AM

Since the car has been sitting I'd bet the TV cable linkage on the side of the trans is stuck. The TV cable is like a kickdown cable - when you floor it, the cable moves a lever on the tranny and causes it to downshift (or hold gears longer). When you let off the gas the cable is supposed to return to normal position, but if it gets stuck it won't. This tricks the tranny into thinking your foot is to the floor all the time, which causes very late upshifts (almost redline).

Down under the car, on the driver's side of the transmission you'll find where the shifter cable attaches to the gear selector lever. Very close to this you'll find a thin cable attached to another lever. Free up that lever (make sure it moves in both directions easily - WD-40 should do it) and you should be good to go :D

Transmission Problems

Reply #3 – July 02, 2006, 10:18:52 AM

Not shure if this true but was told that if trans cooler in radation is blocked it won't let fluid flow and builds up preasure in trans causing slipage and or non engagment and can cause valvebody to blow gasket.

Transmission Problems

Reply #4 – July 05, 2006, 08:03:38 PM

I checked the TV cable linkage and ruled out the radatior being the problem. After I lubed the TV cable it shifts easier but its still running 3000 RPMs going 60. Is there anything else it could be or would I be best to put in the tranny out of my parts car (1986 t-bird).

Transmission Problems

Reply #5 – July 05, 2006, 08:25:51 PM

Sounds like it's not engaging OD...the band could be fried...or you could have some internal leaks(AOD valvebody is known for leakage). Could possibly still be a TV cable issue...or the TV lever could be binding in the trans("plunger" could be clogged)...or even a shifter issue. Lots of possibilities.

Transmission Problems

Reply #6 – July 06, 2006, 03:05:57 AM

I would bet on shifter linkage. I have had many problems with mine.Once, the ebrake cable got stuck in the linkage. I set my ebrake and the cable snapped. Didnt have any problems after that.