Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1987 Ford Mustang LX, 2D Hatchback, 5.0 E, AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Road Test
NOTE:
The AOD will not shift into Overdrive at wide open throttle, and will not make a 4th to 1st gear downshift. It will automatically downshift from Overdrive to 3rd gear when road speed drops below 35 MPH.
- Check minimum throttle upshifts in Overdrive. Transmission should start in 1st gear, shift to 2nd, then shift to 3rd, and finally shift to 4th gear at approximately the speeds shown in SHIFT SPEEDS SPECIFICATIONS (MPH)Β tables.
- With transmission in 4th gear (Overdrive), completely depress accelerator pedal. Transmission should downshift to 3rd or 2nd gear, depending on vehicle speed. See SHIFT SPEEDS SPECIFICATIONS (MPH)Β tables.
- Since closed throttle downshifts are extremely difficult to detect, it may be necessary to attach 0-100 psi (0-7.0 kg/cm2 ) pressure gauges to forward and direct clutch pressure taps in order to detect Overdrive to 3rd gear and 3rd to 2nd gear coast downshifts. See Fig 1 .
- With gauges attached, a 4th to 3rd gear coast (closed throttle) downshift is detected by the application of the forward clutch. Pressure will increase from 0-60 psi (0-4.2 kg/cm2 ). The 3rd to 2nd gear downshift is detected by release of direct clutch pressure. Pressure will decrease from 60-0 psi (4.2-0 kg/cm2 ).
- When selector lever is moved from either Overdrive or Drive ranges to "1" position, transmission should downshift into 2nd gear if vehicle speed is above 25 MPH, and into 1st gear if speed is less than 25 MPH.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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