broksonic

Hi all,

After many (MANY) years of wanting a Thunderbird, i at last have one...

Heres my problem(s)

The tranny seems to want to jump out of OD at random times. My first guess was maybe the filter needing changed.

However there are a few more problems...
Odometer sometimes does not work (speedometer always works)
Check engine lite comes on once in awhile..
Temp gauge sometimes dont work..
Ignition key doesnt seem to fit tight while its in the on position.

Other than the ignition key problem, im wondering if all these problems might be related to on board computer?

I did change the tranny fluid/filter today but havent had a chance to take it for a very long test run yet.. (fluid/filter did look a bit dirty, but not as bad as i have seen on other changes from past trannys)

Thunderbird info..

1994 LX
3.8 ltr
auto
air
electric windows/locks
115,xxx miles
i am the second owner with no reported problems with the tranny..

Installed new rotors/brakes
upper A frame on driver side...

Seems to run very good with exception of tranny... not bad for $250

Talked to 2 mechanics and their opinion was computer, filter or tranny going out. But being its intermitent they lean toward the computer.

Any ideas that might help me figure this out?

broksonic

Well the tranny was still acting up after the filter change..

Did however find that the EGR valve was not connected.. havent had a chance to test drive to see if that was where problem was. I did take it out and cleaned it up (had a little bit of carbon buildup).

tbird100636

What were the codes stored??? I wouldn't throw a PCM at it without diagnosing the codes first.

__________________
Master ASE Certified L1 Chrysler Technician- still a Ford fan at heart.
1964 Thunderbird Hardtop- Chantily Beige- 390 FE 4V V8-Uncle's Car
1966 Thunderbird Convertible- Red- 390 FE 4V V8- Uncle's other car- waiting for paint and body work!!!
1967 Mustang Convertible- Blue- 289 V8- helping a friend re-assemble this classic

broksonic

The only code to show up was a 332. Seems past owner had heads redone and the line was off the EGR valve. I cleaned it up and reinstalled it.

Another friend of mine suggested that it could be related to the torque converter. Not sure if the converter does a direct lockup in OD though..

Update:
Noticed today while driving seems the tranny is not releasing when letting off the throttle. Also heard a noise (not sure if i would call it a grinding or not) while at a stop sign. Only heard it once.

I think the car is haunted

broksonic

Sboatman

Well the odometer and the heat guage is due to the cluster going out I had the same problem the easy (but time consuming) is to get a used cluster untill one works, that's what I did it works fine now. The other option with the cluster is to get the one you have compleatly redone and that's a lot of money and it take twice as long.

As with the tranny staying up in rpms mine does that also it just has to do with the timing and the amount of acceleration you are putting on at one time. Just don't accelerate too fast unless your going onto the highway and you will be fine.

The grinding noise might be coming from the power stering what's the fluid level on that at? If it's low then put some in and see what happens. If it's not then idk what it is sorry bout that one

broksonic

I kinda figured the cluster was going out... odometer/trip meter not working now.... thats not a big problem to replace.

The tranny is kicking out with a steady acceleration, even while in cruise. Havent noticed any pattern to the problem.

Almost sure one of the problems is the converter as im about 98% sure thats where the noise is coming from but not sure if this would cause the kick out.

thundercougar

try driving it in just drive.if it drives ok then your overdrive belt in the tranny is burnt up.its ok to drive it in just drive.i did for 40xxx plus miles on my Cougar with same motor and tranny and it was fine.some on here have good advice about adjusting cables to make it better also.post back with updates

Zguy28

Bet your gas mileage sucked though.

speaker_king

mabey its the transmission control module?

__________________
1993 Thunderbird LX, Stroked 4.2L Complete Cold Air Intake, AOD w/stage 2 shift kit(soon to be 5speed)