A/T - 4EAT Harsh or Delayed Shifts: Overview

90ford22
^ TRANSAXLE - 4EAT - HARSH OR DELAYED SHIFTS - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/21/89

^ TRANSAXLE - 4EAT - VALVE BODY REVISION - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/21/89
Article No. 90-15-9
FORD: 1989 PROBE


This article is republished in its entirety to include an optional service procedure for installing a valve body modification kit instead of installing a new valve body.

ISSUE: A harsh or delayed shift may be caused by one or more of the following:

^ Contaminated transmission fluid

^ Incorrect line pressure

^ Incorrect 2-4 band adjustment

^ Sticking valve body components The symptoms above can be further defined as a:

^ 1-2 shift shudder, delayed shift or "bump" on medium to heavy throttle tip-in

^ 2-3 shift extended shift or double shift "bump"

^ 1-2 or 2-3 extended shifts during light throttle tip-in

^ 3-2 extended downshift during 15-26 mph (24-42 kmH) light throttle tip-in

^ Various vehicle speed 1-2 shifts while the accelerator pedal position and engine load are held constant.

ACTION: Inspect the transaxle to determine if the valve body needs replacement or if the modification kit is required. Refer to the following procedure for service details.

Before performing any type of service to the transaxle, review the operation of the manual shift mode selector with the customer.

NOTE: POOR ACCELERATION WHEN IN THE MANUAL MODE CAN BE CAUSED BY NOT MANUALLY DOWNSHIFTING TO LOW "U" GEAR.