AOD HELP! Runs fine in (D), long 1-2 shift in D

rwordenjr

Advanced Member
Nov 4, 2023
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CA
I usually drive in D because I only drive the car around town but today I noticed the shift from 1-2 is very long and thudding. I then shifted to (D) and the car runs normal. I proved this out for about 20 minutes straight by shifting back and forth to confirm... Yep, the car takes forever and thuds when shifting 1-2 but is normal in (D). How can this be?
 
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This business has a good tech line. At least they did back when I rebuilt the AOD in my formerly owned 93 convertible. They supplied the parts and education that I needed to get my project done successfully. Try calling their tech line. Let us know what they said.

 
Just food for thought: I’m wondering if your TV cable somehow is out of adjustment. You’ll need a pressure gauge to set it or to verify it’s ok, but that might cause the weird symptoms. Others more knowledgeable will chime in. Good luck.
I did adjust the tv with gauge few months ago and was all good. I checked that the rubber bushings are still intact and they are. Thanks for your input.
 
Cool. When I had called the tech line, there was a specific number to call during a specific time frame. Im sure if that still is the method, they’ll direct you that way.
My fluid was quite a bit high. I fixed that hoping for miracle but no luck. So nutty how it can be good in (D) but not D.
 
Not knowing what trans you have I can only give you this example, in the past auto transmissions had a function for starting out in snow/ice conditions, the 'older' C4 style had a green dot by the D that made the trans start in second so the drive tires were less prone to slipping.
Best I can do, prolly useless info.
 
Edited thread because what I thought was missing shift from 1-2 in D is actually a very long and hard shift. It shifts into 2nd and then 3rd. So I get all the gears in both D and (D) but the issue is the timing of those shifts is not synced in both options like it should be.
 
These AOD transmissions are marginal at best in their stock format. If the fluid level is correct and the TV cable is properly adjusted, there’s nothing else you can do but pull it and rebuild including the typical upgrades for increased reliability and longevity.
 
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I doubt the filter is plugged, but once you’ve eliminated the likely causes . . .. Also, have you verified the shift linkage/cable isn’t loose? Was wondering if you’ve got a half-way between two shift points situation. Again, unlikely, but online help is free :/. Good luck.
 
I doubt the filter is plugged, but once you’ve eliminated the likely causes . . .. Also, have you verified the shift linkage/cable isn’t loose? Was wondering if you’ve got a half-way between two shift points situation. Again, unlikely, but online help is free :/. Good luck.
I appreciate everyone’s input! I checked out the shift linkage and it’s all intact. Have contacted numerous people and they’re stumped too. It should behave the same way whether it’s in D or (D). It does not though. Heres a video of what I’m describing. In D, takes forever to shift from 1-2. It’s not like that in (D)

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/qRPM-LwBe5U?si=xsUOOhhSn54afNO1
 
Also, this car has the TV rod, not cable.
IMG_9629.webp
IMG_9630.webp
 
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I dont mean to make things worse but last year in August my AOD in my 91 went out after 26 years,the last time it went out in 98 it was 1200 to rebuild, last year it was 3100 dollars, man that hit the savings like a ton of rocks and that was after i shopped around,there's a lot of stuff ill do my own but a auto trans is not one of them,too many things to go wrong, too much work, just wanted to give folks a idea of what it costs now to get this done.
 
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