AODE taking a crap on me?

[Scott_95GT]

I went to the track last night. My car was running perfect, and felt great the whole way there. I got up there for my first run. I held the brake and held the gas at 2K like last time. I gased her as I let off the brake and my tranny slipped like crazy. RPM's shot WAY up as I sat there, then 2 seconds later the tires engaged and I took off. I was pissed. I gave it one more try about ten minutes later and the same exact thing happened. WTF

Last time out, (my first time I drove her at the track) it had no problem whatsoever. I think a supercooler will help, but it slipped bad enough for me to think that something could be internally wrong with my aode. Anyone know what could be going on here? This is my DD and I can't have something like this go out on me. ANY input will help. Thanks guys.

 

[sage2k]

check your fluid?

 

[Swarzkopf]

Your torque converter is going. Mine displayed the same symptoms.

Buy a new one. You'll be thrilled with the improved performance as well.

 

[Don 95Vert]

Could be the converter or is could be as simple as the Manual Lever Position Sensor (MPLS) on the side of the tranny where the shift shaft is located. They DO go bad on '94-95's frequently.

 

[Scott_95GT]

Could be the converter or is could be as simple as the Manual Lever Position Sensor (MPLS) on the side of the tranny where the shift shaft is located. They DO go bad on '94-95's frequently.

How would I go about checking or testing this (MPLS). Is it something that slowly goes bad? Or will only act up when your beating on it?

So you guys don't think it's heat related?

 

[Scott_95GT]

Your torque converter is going. Mine displayed the same symptoms.

Buy a new one. You'll be thrilled with the improved performance as well.

I actually wouldn't be real pissed if that were the case. I just wanted to perform other mods first this winter (Gears, x-pipe, intake) before I looked into converters.

 

[Swarzkopf]

Gears, midpipe, intake manifold, and a converter would make your car feel like a whole new machine.

Those modifications REALLY woke my slow AODE 5.0 up.

 

[Scott_95GT]

Gears, midpipe, intake manifold, and a converter would make your car feel like a whole new machine.

Those modifications REALLY woke my slow AODE 5.0 up.

Thats what I'm hoping for. My first time out at the track (Before my POS slipped on me) 99% bone stock I ran a 15.178 @ 93.3. It would be nice to gain nearly a second (Like a 14.2-14.3) whith those mods.

 

[gt96stanggt]

does the transgo make a big difference? im getting one next week.

 

[miller92063]

first thing is that if you don't hear a clunking sound under dd take offs than it most likely is not the torque converter, but if it is i recomened a 2400-2600rpm stall converter.

if you need a new tranny i just pulled my tranny out yesterday it only has 1200 miles on it after a $1,500 rebuild, the only reason that i pulled it was because i love manuals and got a deal on a tko-500. ask for more details on trany.

 

[Swarzkopf]

Thats what I'm hoping for. My first time out at the track (Before my POS slipped on me) 99% bone stock I ran a 15.178 @ 93.3. It would be nice to gain nearly a second (Like a 14.2-14.3) whith those mods.

You could definitely pick up a full second with these modifications. I'm Gteching in the high 13s off of the spray on 275/40/17 drag radials.

first thing is that if you don't hear a clunking sound under dd take offs than it most likely is not the torque converter

I disagree. I've never heard of a "clunking" being related to a bad torque converter, and when mine went bad I heard no "clunking" noise either. What would "clunk"? The inside of a torque converter is basically a few fans and is filled with fluid.

but if it is i recomened a 2400-2600rpm stall converter.

I disagree again. The STOCK AODE converter is supposed to lockup at 2600. Go with AT LEAST a 2800 RPM stall converter. My 3000 Edge is perfect; it's very streetable and when I want it to move, it moves good locking at 3000.

 

[Stanger007]

What is this about a "clunk"? On a moderate to hard launch I've got a noticable (audiable and can feel it in the floor) "clunk" like someone is hitting the lower firewall around where the tranny is.

No tranny issues other than a lot of bogging at low rpms that seems to slowly be getting worse.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

What is this about a "clunk"? On a moderate to hard launch I've got a noticable (audiable and can feel it in the floor) "clunk" like someone is hitting the lower firewall around where the tranny is.

No tranny issues other than a lot of bogging at low rpms that seems to slowly be getting worse.

I take it you have the stock torque converter. Also, can someone please clarify if the AODE found in the 95 units used a multi-disk clutch in their torque converters ? If so, this could be the "clunk" that you're hearing. Do you have any shuddering, or are you aware of how hot the transmission temperature is running at ?

 

[SilverFoxbody]

If you pull the AODE out, don't waste your time with it, slap a 1998 or newer 4R70W back in with some minor wireing mods and a Jmod, you will be whipping up on gear slammers and other autos all day.....I can help if you need info.

 

[Stanger007]

I take it you have the stock torque converter. Also, can someone please clarify if the AODE found in the 95 units used a multi-disk clutch in their torque converters ? If so, this could be the "clunk" that you're hearing. Do you have any shuddering, or are you aware of how hot the transmission temperature is running at ?

I do have a good bit of shuddering at times - not always but sometimes it is very bad - especially when the car is cold. No idea how hot the tranny is running. I just have the stock water temp gauge in.

 

[Stanger007]

If you pull the AODE out, don't waste your time with it, slap a 1998 or newer 4R70W back in with some minor wireing mods and a Jmod, you will be whipping up on gear slammers and other autos all day.....I can help if you need info.

Yes more info!

This is definately next on the mod list before I put my longtubes and prochamber on. I've read a bit at TCCOA and ran some searches here and at Corral definately want to move up to a 4R70W. I'm looking to spend 2k for this upgrade and do not mind installing the tranny myself. Can I buy an already built tranny and have it shipped to me for 2k? My goals are ultimately around 350RWHP.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

I do have a good bit of shuddering at times - not always but sometimes it is very bad - especially when the car is cold. No idea how hot the tranny is running. I just have the stock water temp gauge in.

I don't know if your ECU has parameters for scanning the torque converter function, but if it does, you might want to get in touch with someone who has a scan tool, and find out what is going on. Shuddering tends to be a sign of early failure in a torque converter.

Stanger007, yes, you can buy performance ready versions of the 4r70w transmission ready for install from places like Performance Automatic and Lentech Transmissions. However, if you don't plan on making anymore than 350-400rwhp, then you can probably buy a stock 4r70w automatic, do the J-mod shift kit to it, add a transmission cooler and a good torque converter, and you should be set.

 

[Don 95Vert]

A stock '99 V6 4R70W will work fine - you need to change tailshaft housings and use your solenoids - that's basically what my tranny is and look at the power I make with it. You will need a chip to get it to shift right though because the gear ratios are different. I have an article about 4R70Ws in 94-95s on my website - click on my sig and check out the tech articles...

 

[Stanger007]

That doesn't look like too terribly difficult of a swap.

What sort of $ am I looking at to purchase a 4R70W and modify it? Will a rebuilt one work?

I'll definately want to add a tranny cooler and performance convertor and either a twEECer RT or chip.

Lot of researching to do...

 

[Smak94]

I would definately go ahead and make the swap to 4r70w. I did mine in March for around $1000-$1200, not bad at all considering that $600 went towards a Edge 3000 converter.

02' mustang V6 4r70w.....~$300 (found it at www.car-part.com)
Edge street 3000 stall converter...~$600
Misc stuff (oil, gaskets, tools, etc.)....~$200