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

  • Thread starter Thread starter rwordenjr
  • Start date Start date Sep 23, 2025
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rwordenjr

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  • Sep 23, 2025
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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?
 
Last edited: Sep 24, 2025

Mcmahst

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Sep 23, 2025
#2
  • Sep 23, 2025
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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.
 

JD1964

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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.

Transmission Center

Transmission Center
transmissioncenter.net
 
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rwordenjr

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Mcmahst 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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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rwordenjr

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JD1964 said:
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.

Transmission Center

Transmission Center
transmissioncenter.net
Click to expand...
Thanks, I left them a message.
 

JD1964

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rwordenjr said:
Thanks, I left them a message.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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rwordenjr

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JD1964 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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rwordenjr

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JD1964 said:
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.
Click to expand...
They said they only sell parts, can’t help me.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
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#9
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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.
 
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rwordenjr

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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.
 

JD1964

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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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Mcmahst

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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.
 
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rwordenjr

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Mcmahst said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
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rwordenjr

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Also, this car has the TV rod, not cable.
 
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Mcmahst

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#15
  • Sep 24, 2025
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Here’s my AOD book, it has service bulletins in it. Couldn’t hurt. Good luck.
 

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rwordenjr

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#16
  • Sep 25, 2025
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Mcmahst said:
Here’s my AOD book, it has service bulletins in it. Couldn’t hurt. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I'll check it out.
 
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rwordenjr

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#17
  • Oct 10, 2025
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Welp a reman valvebody seems to have fixed my issue. Shifting is the same now in D or (D) but after driving for about 30min, ATF is pissing out of the front bellhousing area
 
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JD1964

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Converter hub seal or pump seal. Trans has to come out to replace those
 
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rwordenjr

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JD1964 said:
Converter hub seal or pump seal. Trans has to come out to replace those
Click to expand...
Mise well have rebuilt at that point.
 
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Praetorious

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Oct 19, 2025
#20
  • Oct 19, 2025
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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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