: I have a 87 mustang conv with a A4LD tranny It will not shift into OD and when i let off of the gas it seems to go free wheel until i give it more throttle. it then goes back into gear very hard. any ideas?
The A4LD is a crap transmission. I have one in my 88 and I monitor it weekly. They LOVE to burn up and destroy the overdrive bands. What I would do is check your fluid color, odor, and level first. If anything is wrong correct it. A flush and fill may help it out. To everyone with an A4LD I very strongly recommend a good stacked-plate transmission cooler. I have one on my 88 and so far it has been working very well. If you do get it flushed and refilled, see if you can get the garage to put synthetic ATF back in it. It resists wear and burning a lot better than the standard Dex/Merc.
I am not sure of exactly why they do this, I think it is because in 3rd gear it has a sprag holding it, and will freewheel when you coast, or, when you let off the gas, the torque converter lockup clutch is disengaged.
My 89 Notch did the same thing.
It may be that the solenoid is inhibiting od application, but that's a long shot.
I simply put a used $100 trans in mine and its worked fine for 3 years now.
I don't think flushing/fluid change will fix this problem, something has failed.
Obviously you can rebuild it. This trans is not as bad as people make it out, it's just that it was sold in the baseline transportation oriented cars, and never got much care or thought. It is the same basic trans that is in the 08 Mustang GT's, with 300 hp....