AODE Issues - pulling my hair out!

[Super Dragpack]

Car in question is a 94 GT 5.0 Auto Convertible with 2.73:1 gears etc and only 48k miles. Its a Jap export model now in the UK.

Anyway, when I got the car it had bad clutch (TC) judder, which was fixed totally by the change to Mercon V which it now enjoys. Except an annoyingly high rear ratio it has been running fine.

My current problem started just after I removed and refitted the inlet manifold but I have checked and double checked all the connections again, but due to this, it makes me think it is an electrical issue. I have another box and TC to fit but would rather fix this problem before switching boxes and wrecking another set of clutches.

When cold it is FINE! Now problems, pulls hard, no slipping and shifts fine! After about 5-10 minutes of driving the problem starts. The symptoms are as follows:

* From standstill (in OD, D or 2) it engages 1st and 2nd at the same time. You have to lift the throttle, let it shift to 2nd and then continue pulling away in 2nd.
* It shifts up to 3rd and 4th too early at times
* Lockup unstable - works sometimes and not others
* If I use "1" on the shifter, it engages 1st and 2nd together very hard and almost locks up the drive.

So far I have changed the MLPS and checked and reset the TPS. The old MLPS was faulty (would not start in P etc) and the TPS was reading 1.17 at idle and up to around 4.71 volts at WOT. It now reads .98 nicely and sweeps the meter without any issues.

I am pulling the engine in a few weeks anyway to get the valves guides replaced and maybe some other mods, but I would like to sort this issue first.

I am a mechanic, I am happy to rebuild the box if needed (done loads in the past) or swap for a rebuild one I have sat here, but something tells me it ain't the box.

I am thinking, due to the speed the fault occurs from cold, that it is an electrical 'soak' issue or a bad connections that gets worse from the heat of the engine or exhaust etc.

Any suggestions welcome but don't just say 'its time for a rebuild'.

 

[zero_chance]

Though not word for word what youre describing, there was a TSB issued by Ford about prolonged one two shifts due to a seal failure around one of the little accumulator pistons. When I had a stang with this back in 00, it would seem like it never wanted to leave first gear unless you took your foot off the gas. Like youve stated, problem was fine in the initial start up due to the higher viscosity in the ATF not getting past the bad seal as quick. Once it started to warm up, forget about it. Problems with the MLPS usually manifest themselves as the tranny suddenly neutraling out on you and just free revving until you stop and run through the gears. My current car did this for a while right after I first bought it. Currently if I just shift from park to drive it will only stay in first gear. I have to go from park down to second and then up into drive for it to shift properly. Likely still a problem with the MLPS in mine but I have a 95 percent rebuilt T5 and 90 percent of the needed swap parts to put in it once she goes up for the winter so Im not too concerned with it. Ive also had the infamous TC shudder at 35 for some time but again.. not going to waste my time and money when I can put it toward the T5. Funny, ten years ago, before I got my associates degree and had only hand me down tools, I was all over any little problem with my Mustangs. Now I got the degree, fully Ford and ASE certified, my own shop and have thousands of dollars of tools.... and I always put of fixing the little things... Oh well. Time was more of a luxury back then I guess.

Have you or anyone else been inside the tranny? Wouldnt be the first time ive seen a botched shift kit install make the valve body want to try to do to many things at once. OD light flashing at all?