82 Ltype stock, Over drive takes forever to work.

[Cross]

Hey guys I never gave it much thought, but last weekend I went on a long drive only 255 miles. But I noticed overdrive never kicked on until about 45mins of interstate driving 60-70mph. Once it did kick in I clicked the switch and it turned off. I am just wondering I keep the switch on all the time, why does it take mine so long to kick it? I havn't had a chance to change the autotrans fuild, and fliter, but I think thats what it is. The car shifts fine but sometimes on a cold day when I am leaving my drive way, and I stop to check for cars, it will drop out of gear. But once it gets warmed up it doesnt drop out of gear. I wanted someones 2 cents.

[CarlH]

Add a little ATF approx 1/2 pint+ or so and see if that helps, The OD does not work until the car is warmed up and reaches 1/3 up on the gauge. ( On may 1985), This is normal and in the TRSM . I would check the temp sensor that tells the trans the H2O is warm..

I turn off the OD button until the temp gauge reads where i know it will shift, it only takes a mile or two for it to go into OD .

Hey guys I never gave it much thought, but last weekend I went on a long drive only 255 miles. But I noticed overdrive never kicked on until about 45mins of interstate driving 60-70mph. Once it did kick in I clicked the switch and it turned off. I am just wondering I keep the switch on all the time, why does it take mine so long to kick it? I havn't had a chance to change the autotrans fuild, and fliter, but I think thats what it is. The car shifts fine but sometimes on a cold day when I am leaving my drive way, and I stop to check for cars, it will drop out of gear. But once it gets warmed up it doesnt drop out of gear. I wanted someones 2 cents.

[Cross]

I wait until my car is warmed up before moving it, in the middle on my digi dash dispaly. Then I go, it takes 10mins to warm up then 45 mins of driving for the od to kick in, I will get some ATF tomarrow and let you know how it goes. Thanks for your input Carl.

[CarlH]

I don't run the car very long before I drive . But i don't have traffic behind me , so I can drive at slow speeds for the first 1/2 mile. The temp has to rise for my car to even shift into drive/ 3rd gear approx 1/2 mile. I go approx 2 miles for the gauge to read 1/3 up and shift into OD.

I was dropping out of gear and banging down hard ( down shift) when I stopped quick, I added ATF and that went away.

What I do is buy a gallon of Dextron 3 at Wal mart and drain the pan and refill approx 2 qts , run the car and then re-drain it and add the last 2 qts , . You never drain the tork converter, where most of the ATF is , but you start to exchange it slowly so you don't shock the trans with a total change., I talked with one of the previous owners and he said he changed the ATF every oil change, so my car has always had fresh ATF in it. a BIG + for the trans and my car. It has 100K on it.

Ron Armenian on the "Car Doctor" radio show also recommends this way of ATF replacement .

Also adjust the Cable to the trans under the hood, You do it at wide open throttle ( engine off) that will smooth down the shifting as well.. CH

I wait until my car is warmed up before moving it, in the middle on my digi dash dispaly. Then I go, it takes 10mins to warm up then 45 mins of driving for the od to kick in, I will get some ATF tomarrow and let you know how it goes. Thanks for your input Carl.

[Rich64N]

Since you have an 82, make sure you use Type F auto tranny fluid (or multi-grade). 84+ takes Dextron 3.

[Cross]

Thanks Rich, if you hadnt told me I wouldve added dex3 And Carl ty as well.

[Rich64N]

I saw that and agreed with the post, but realized the fluid spec problem. You may have to hunt some for Type F (Ford) fluid as the local parts store may not carry it (Type F much cheaper than multi-purpose ATF). Last Spring I drained a tranny and pumpkin (torque converter) and most of the fluid was in the converter. Look at it - should be red-brown. If chocolate brown (milkshake), best fix is a new tranny.

However, your power steering needs Dextron ATF (not PS Fluid) - see the manual. Red, not yellow.

[CarlH]

Thanks Rich, if you hadnt told me I wouldve added dex3 And Carl ty as well.

I'm glad he caught the ATF type for you,, That is why you always need to look at the owner's manual for lube specs. On the Car doctor radio show they discussed thermostats by STAT and it is worth a listen , It is in hour 2 you can get it on WOR 710 NY

Your car should warm up in approx 3-5 minutes with a good working thermostat. Stat makes a heavy duty premium line made in the USA.