Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Topic: Oh AOD how I hate thee... (Read 11203 times) previous topic - next topic

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

March 20, 2009, 03:20:33 PM

So here's the problem I've been having with my AOD since last year (well maybe 3 years, AFAIK it was happening with the old engine): when in D the trans won't kick down from 3-2 unless I'm at 40 mph or less. Above 40 mph it won't kick down to 2nd gear (it should kick down to 2nd from 50 mph and down). In OD at 45 mph it will kick down to 2nd for a brief second and then up shift to 3rd. Again any speed above 45 mph in OD and I only get a kick down to 3rd. Yes I've adjusted the TV cable every which way and nothing helps. I can get it to kick down at 45 mph to 2nd in D by adjusting the TV cable to it's max point. The problem is when the TV cable is at it's max setting it get late and hard shifts. So does this mean my AOD is going to take a poop? Before I got the car from my dad's cousin the AOD was *rebuilt* at around 98,000 miles. God knows what that shop did to it. Maybe it's time to invest in a new AOD sooner than I wanted to

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #1 – March 20, 2009, 03:43:05 PM

Quote from: thunderjet302;262851

Maybe it's time to invest in a new AOD sooner than I wanted to

Maybe it's time for a 5 speed swap.It's one of the best mods I ever did for the Sport.

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #2 – March 20, 2009, 03:57:40 PM

Without a new valve body or a kit,you won't see 2nd much it's not designed that way. Without a pressure gauge you really won't know where the Tv cable really needs to be. there is a fine difference between ajusting the cable by hand, it could make it better or worst.

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #3 – March 20, 2009, 04:29:35 PM

Quote from: vinnietbird;262857

Maybe it's time for a 5 speed swap.It's one of the best mods I ever did for the Sport.

an AOD to AOD swap is soooo much easier. had it done in a weekend and only had to buy 1 thing... the new AOD.

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #4 – March 20, 2009, 04:40:57 PM

Quote from: ~AC;262868

an AOD to AOD swap is soooo much easier. had it done in a weekend and only had to buy 1 thing... the new AOD.

Whats a new one cost?

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #5 – March 20, 2009, 05:01:32 PM

Block the throttle wide open(or have some one hold it), and adj the cable till it's short as possible... If it up shifts late/hard lengthen the cable till it's where you like it... This is how I've adjusted mine for years(this includes the totally stock ones) and I've never lost a AOD...

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #6 – March 20, 2009, 05:51:47 PM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;262872

Block the throttle wide open(or have some one hold it), and adj the cable till it's short as possible... If it up shifts late/hard lengthen the cable till it's where you like it... This is how I've adjusted mine for years(this includes the totally stock ones) and I've never lost a AOD...

...And this is PRECISELY how I do mine as well...

Which tail shaft governor do you have?

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #7 – March 20, 2009, 06:16:51 PM

I pulled the tranny off my motor and the shaft on my tranny pulled right out, wanna trade?

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #8 – March 20, 2009, 07:54:21 PM

Quote from: 86XR7project;262891

I pulled the tranny off my motor and the shaft on my tranny pulled right out, wanna trade?

It's supposed to do that. That is the OD shaft, it slides in and out locking the torque converter.

The AOD can be a hairy bitch but it is mostly the issues of it being an 80's tranny that make it suck. No your AOD is not on the verge of puking. There is three things "EVERY" performance AOD needs. 1) Trans-Go Shift Kit. 2) Hardened input shaft from a reputable tranny company. 3) A governor spring swap.

You have the same combo I was using on the street and when an AOD is used...it attempts to always get gas milage. That's how it is programed...or built. That was the 80's stuff, that's how they all were. The shift kit will come close to eliminating this to a point, and that's where changing the springs on the governor is your only option. Try the shift kit first...if no joy the springs are the only choice. The shift kit is easier and does not require pulling the tranny too far apart. The governor springs will fix the problem, they are just a PITA to get to.

The tranny governor regulates fluid bypass to the valve body by centrifugal force of the output shaft. The spring pressures must be changed to accommodate the higher output shaft speed. This is mostly noticed when a rear gear change has happened. The output shaft speed is much higher at lower mph making the tranny shift way too soon. This is what is causing your lack of down shift.

Get a set of governor springs from the Ford dealer for a heavy van or truck with an AOD and 4.10 gears. The springs and corresponding shifts will be much more at home.

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #9 – March 20, 2009, 07:55:14 PM

Quote from: ~AC;262868

an AOD to AOD swap is soooo much easier. had it done in a weekend and only had to buy 1 thing... the new AOD.

We did the 5 speed swap in mine in one day.We started at about 9 in the morning and finished around 2:00.That included lunch and all the BS we talk about when we get together.It's all a matter of personal taste though.Maybe a built AOD is in order,new converter,and some new gears for the rear (if you haven't already done that).

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #10 – March 20, 2009, 08:05:06 PM

Never really had an AOD I ever had to work on......Now I feel like a moron.

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #11 – March 20, 2009, 08:15:18 PM

Quote from: 86XR7project;262925

Never really had an AOD I ever had to work on......Now I feel like a moron.

Never having to work on one is a good thing.

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #12 – March 20, 2009, 11:59:00 PM

before too long you will...

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #13 – March 21, 2009, 12:06:47 AM

sounds like you arent hitting the sweet spot on the cable setting. Took me a long while to.

Check the trans side of the cable , inspect for binding , wear or whatever looks odd.

Also, take a pick of the lever with the car off and car in park

we can compare ours to your car incase something is off down south.

Oh AOD how I hate thee...

Reply #14 – March 21, 2009, 09:01:33 AM

i paid 275 for the AOD thats in the car. cant remember what it came out of, the guy was basically a private ford junkyard b/c he drag raced. it had a shorter tail shaft, which wasnt a big deal b/c i just swapped it out.