How do you replace O/D switch?

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 9, 2005

I have a '96 GT automatic with a failed O/D button. The overdive switch is next to the shifter. I pulled the plastic thingy surrounding it, but don't know how to get to the button itself.

Anybody know how? Is it easy to replace? Should I start looking for a mechanic? LOL!

I have the part already.

Help!!

Thank you.

Cindy

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 9, 2005

Already searched

Oh, forgot to add that I have searched high and low on Stangnet and the Internet. I can't find ANYTHING about replacing the button, just what the O/D is supposed to do! I know THAT.

Help!!!!!!!!!!!! Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 9, 2005

Bump it up!

ceyko · Apr 9, 2005

Got pics? Is it like the '03's shifter?

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 9, 2005

ceyko said:
Got pics? Is it like the '03's shifter?

What are you talking about? I didn't replace the shifter. My O/D button has failed. I need to replace it.

Cindy

ceyko · Apr 9, 2005

96LaserRedGTS said:
What are you talking about? I didn't replace the shifter. My O/D button has failed. I need to replace it.

Cindy

Obviously it is not like the 03 then. You might want to try going to autozone or something and looking through one of the Chilton/Haynes manuals. They'll have what you are looking for in detail.

Take care,
Ceyko

UhadMEatGT · Apr 10, 2005

I think MGW and some other places sell aftermarket shifter for auto's. When you put the aftermarket on, they sell an adapter kit that moves the button below the shifter handle since it wont be inside the handle anymore. I am sure they could help. I would guess you just have to take your handle off and pop it out, but the wires or plug in may actually be under your center console, Im not sure?? Also go by the Ford parts counter and have them pull up the picture that has the breakdown of your shifter, that should give you an idea of what you will need to do.

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 10, 2005

ceyko said:
Obviously it is not like the 03 then. You might want to try going to autozone or something and looking through one of the Chilton/Haynes manuals. They'll have what you are looking for in detail.

Take care,
Ceyko

Chilton's? Did you say Chilton's? HA! Oh I looked in my Chilton's and can't find ONE SINGLE mention of an O/D switch! Worthless book, IMO. Maybe I'm not looking in the right section. If so, it seems to be hidden.

Maybe I'll try Haynes.

The button is on the plate, right, next to the shifter. I can't figure out how to get the plate off, or if I should even try. I'm not very mechanically inclined. After this O/D switch fiasco, I'm going to try to figure out how to replace the sensor that makes that pesky CEL go off. That looks simpler than this switch stuff.

Cindy

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 10, 2005

UhadMEatGT said:
I think MGW and some other places sell aftermarket shifter for auto's. When you put the aftermarket on, they sell an adapter kit that moves the button below the shifter handle since it wont be inside the handle anymore. I am sure they could help. I would guess you just have to take your handle off and pop it out, but the wires or plug in may actually be under your center console, Im not sure?? Also go by the Ford parts counter and have them pull up the picture that has the breakdown of your shifter, that should give you an idea of what you will need to do.

Well I already have an MGW shifter handle that I installed a couple years ago, so I don't need another one. I just want to replace the bad O/D button that is next to the shifter. I'm tired of my car up shifting to 4th gear constantly in town. My button isn't ON the shifter handle itself. It's on the plate, next to the shifter, where you see the P R D 2 1.

I just can't believe there is NO information at all on the internet. Geesh, I've searched for every possible combination of terms and can't come up with anything except how the O/D functions.

Thanks for the Ford idea, though. Those parts guys don't really leave me with a feeling of utmost confidence, if you know what I mean, but they must have some sort of diagram, huh?

Cindy

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 11, 2005

Ttt! :d

propellerhead · Apr 11, 2005

Have you looked in the Service Manual?

Yoda · Apr 11, 2005

Cant help you with getting the switch out of the console but once it is out there are just 2 wires going to it. Snip those wires and splice them to the new switch and reinstall the switch in the console.

GT-03 · Apr 11, 2005

96LaserRedGTS said:
I pulled the plastic thingy surrounding it, but don't know how to get to the button itself.

By the "plastic thingy" do you mean the shifter bezel, which would include the cigarette lighter too?

nyuk98gt · Apr 11, 2005

96LaserRedGTS:

You have removed the bezel (good). There are four bolts that hold down the shifter assembly. Be careful when you remove them because the nuts are the "folded" type and will slide off easily, necessitating a trip under the car! You may want to have a magnetic pick-up in the other hand to grab the bolts once they are ready to come out. Once the bolts are out, you can move the assembly around a bit and enough to get your fingers underneath to get at the switch. You will need to find the connection point and then disconnect the button electrical lead. I do not know if the button is held on the shifter plate with a nut (not likely) or a clip (more likely) -- the '98s have the button in the handle. Use needlenose pliers to pull the clip off. Now you should be able to install the new switch. Tighten up those bolts just enough (and a little at a time) so that the plate is about 1/16" lower than the bezel. You will need to trial fit the bezel until you get the plate gap just right.

HTH,

Chris

96LaserRedGTS · Apr 12, 2005

nyuk98gt said:
96LaserRedGTS:

You have removed the bezel (good). There are four bolts that hold down the shifter assembly. Be careful when you remove them because the nuts are the "folded" type and will slide off easily, necessitating a trip under the car! You may want to have a magnetic pick-up in the other hand to grab the bolts once they are ready to come out. Once the bolts are out, you can move the assembly around a bit and enough to get your fingers underneath to get at the switch. You will need to find the connection point and then disconnect the button electrical lead. I do not know if the button is held on the shifter plate with a nut (not likely) or a clip (more likely) -- the '98s have the button in the handle. Use needlenose pliers to pull the clip off. Now you should be able to install the new switch. Tighten up those bolts just enough (and a little at a time) so that the plate is about 1/16" lower than the bezel. You will need to trial fit the bezel until you get the plate gap just right.

HTH,

Chris

Hey Chris, thank you so much for your help...but unfortunately, it came too late. I relented and took the car to a shop to do the job.

But, the bolt thing on the shifter assembly... I didn't see any bolts on my '96???? If I had seen anything that looked like it would slide off, believe me I would have tried. I removed the bezel thing and it was just the shifter plate, no bolts.

The shop that installed the switch, said they had to go through the console to get to the connection point. No problem for me, just glad it's done. I've been neglecting that switch for over a year now. Only cost $50 to replace the switch and a sensor. Maybe that's too much, but was worth it to me.

Oh, maybe I should make a separate post for this tid bit since lots of people have this problem, but I also have the P1443 code/CEL and all that fun stuff. Well, the same shop replaced the little sensor that runs from the PCV, then code cleared and VOILA, no CEL anymore!! This was driving me crazy 'cause I cleaned the IAC, replaced the PCV and gas cap, but NOTHING could get rid of that light!!

Cindy

nyuk98gt · Apr 14, 2005

96LaserRedGTS said:
But, the bolt thing on the shifter assembly... I didn't see any bolts on my '96????

Cindy

Cindy:

The shifter plate (the black plastic 'shield' with the PRND21 window) sits on top of the shifter assembly. The shifter assembly has four connection points to the chassis. With the bezel off, you can peek inside the console and see the bolts -- they might be hiding under the carpet but they are there.

I'm glad you got your new button installed and the CEL cleared -- good as new.

Happy motoring!

Chris

How do you replace O/D switch?

96LaserRedGTS

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ceyko

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Yoda

Mmm...backwards, talk I.

GT-03

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