AODE Torque Converter Lockup Stumped

[Matt12eagles]

Hi All!

I have a 95 auto GT (5.0) convertible and am stumped by this latest problem. The torque converter is always locked when plugged in (will literally stall when shifting into gear or coming to a stop) NOW, the strange part is that if I undo the TCC pin on the harness… she runs great! No lockup, no stalling smooth clean shifts. I replaced the TCC solenoid… no difference unfortunately and filled with mercon V. Any suggestions? The fact.. that it behaves differently when unhooked leads me to believe the Torque converter and solenoid are good… thoughts? AODE transmission of course.

Thanks!

Matt G

 

[optionizerSS]

Hi All!

I have a 95 auto GT (5.0) convertible and am stumped by this latest problem. The torque converter is always locked when plugged in (will literally stall when shifting into gear or coming to a stop) NOW, the strange part is that if I undo the TCC pin on the harness… she runs great! No lockup, no stalling smooth clean shifts. I replaced the TCC solenoid… no difference unfortunately and filled with mercon V. Any suggestions? The fact.. that it behaves differently when unhooked leads me to believe the Torque converter and solenoid are good… thoughts? AODE transmission of course.

Thanks!

Matt G

Did you ever figure this out? I'm having the same issue.

 

[Matt12eagles]

Did you ever figure this out? I'm having the same issue.

I’ll be honest, have not fixed it yet just have left it unplugged for now. If you find out what it is please let me know, but I know the converter is working since unplugged it’s not locked, plugged in it is lol so for some reason the computer may be sending a bad signal or there is a bad wire somewhere :/

 

[optionizerSS]

Did you unplug the solenoid inside the pan? Any long term effects from that?

 

[Matt12eagles]

No, I unplugged it from the smaller harness right by the firewall that runs to the trans think it’s a pink/purple wire if memory serves me correct. Maybe a 12-15 pin connector. Check engine light is on, that is the biggest pain point, and I get worst gas mileage. I hope it’s not damaging the trans to much but I’m not sure. Only have put about 500 miles on her since unplugging. :/

 

[optionizerSS]

No, I unplugged it from the smaller harness right by the firewall that runs to the trans think it’s a pink/purple wire if memory serves me correct. Maybe a 12-15 pin connector. Check engine light is on, that is the biggest pain point, and I get worst gas mileage. I hope it’s not damaging the trans to much but I’m not sure. Only have put about 500 miles on her since unplugging. :/

Thanks. If I figure it out I'll report back. I asked on several forums in the hopes of getting a few suggestions.

 

[AeroCoupe]

I do not profess to be any kind of auto transmission expert so with that said…

https://www.corral.net/threads/torque-converter-lock-up-disabled-now-a-flashing-light-please-help.394197/

Not sure it will help but an interesting read.

 

[optionizerSS]

Thanks for the link. Pretty informative but over my head...lol

 

[AeroCoupe]

Biggest take away that I got from it is that the transmission is not very efficient when it is not locking up and it will run hot. High temperatures and auto transmissions are not a good combination. If it were me I would call a good transmission shop or individual and see if they can point you in the right direction. This shop is known for AOD's:

Silver Fox Performance Transmission

Performance Transmission products, kits, how-to's, tutorials, and valve bodies

www.silverfoxtrans.com

 

[Matt12eagles]

I did actually drop the pan and replace the TCC solenoid (fair warning, you want the one that is 1-3ohms not the higher ohm one that the 95+ used (at least for the 5.0 1995 mustang). Found that out the hard way, but it didn’t help a thing. My guess, is the valve body is causing it by not letting fluid flow, the torque converter is bad or my TCC wiring is grounded somewhere along the path where it shouldn’t be (I think the ECM/ECU provides ground in these cars instead of 12v). I agree, best option is to take it to a shop, but hard for me to swallow a $1K bill on this one, when we hardly drive it and the car is only worth a couple thousand at most :/ maybe if I get time this summer I will dive in more but if you guys hear any suggestions / findings please send them this thread’s way.

 

[optionizerSS]

so i ordered a TCC solenoid this morning. Called the place and the guy told me which one and it says 13 ohms. You are saying that is the wrong one?

 

[Matt12eagles]

Mine needed the 1-3ish ohm one and my mustang is a 1995 GT AODE, I have a suspicion they switched either mid year or when the 1996 refresh happened

 

[Matt12eagles]

so i ordered a TCC solenoid this morning. Called the place and the guy told me which one and it says 13 ohms. You are saying that is the wrong one?

Looks like ford has a TSB about people installing the wrong ones in their car. Looks like it could go either way, mine just was the lower ohm one.

 

[optionizerSS]

i called the guy back and he 'assured' me the one he listed was the right one so we will see. I'll check the ohms on the old one to compare. really hoping this fixes it.

 

[optionizerSS]

I got the new one and bench tested it and it tested at 12.5 ohms so right in that ballpark it says it should be. Took the old one out and bench tested it. It tested at 1.7 ohms but it did not cycle when I applied 12v to it so pretty sure this is my issue. Just unsure now about what to do with this new one. Guy at Global transmissions assured me it was the right one and nobody local has them in stock.

 

[optionizerSS]

Tried to find the lower ohm one locally but no luck so trusted the guy at Global Transmissions and put the higher ohm one in and so far so good. Problem is fixed unless that higher ohm rating causes an issue later. Only drove it a few miles but so far no CEL either.

 

[optionizerSS]

Drove it about 50 miles today and still good with no CEL

 

[Matt12eagles]

Wow awesome!! I’m so glad it is working for you, thank you for the update! I might actually try and put the higher ohm one in my car and see if it does the trick in a couple weeks. Congrats on the fix!!

 

[optionizerSS]

Wow awesome!! I’m so glad it is working for you, thank you for the update! I might actually try and put the higher ohm one in my car and see if it does the trick in a couple weeks. Congrats on the fix!!

Thanks and good luck. I bought mine from Global Transmissions

 

[Matt12eagles]

Any chance you could please send a link? Now wondering if the aftermarket one i ordered was defective lol love these forums guys, everyone is so darn helpful