Question on ATX OD switch & Shifter

[Aussie Ford]

Howdy,
Doing a little upgrade and repair with my 95, and came across a couple of items that have me puzzled:
1) On an ATX, I am trying to replace the overdrive switch. The wires are soldered to the switch and the other end is in a connector with several other wires. How is this done? For that matter the lockout switch is the same way in that there is no way I see to remove it, and it’s wires are in the same connector. It says in the books to disconnect the wires, but when they are in a six wire connector there is no way to, that I see.

2) Has anyone removed wires from one of the through the door twist connectors and installed them into another one?

Is it normal to be able to move the shifter out of park with the ignition off and key out?

Ok so I don't count very well either.......

[Tony2005]

Howdy,
Doing a little upgrade and repair with my 95, and came across a couple of items that have me puzzled:
1) On an ATX, I am trying to replace the overdrive switch. The wires are soldered to the switch and the other end is in a connector with several other wires. How is this done? For that matter the lockout switch is the same way in that there is no way I see to remove it, and it’s wires are in the same connector. It says in the books to disconnect the wires, but when they are in a six wire connector there is no way to, that I see.

Ok so I don't count very well either.......

1) Remove the Gearshift lever
2) Remove the Transmission Control Switch (overdrive switch)
3) And if you want to, then remove the gearshift lever knob.

Instructions from Ford 1996 CD.

Gearshift Lever
Floor Shift

Removal

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.

2. Remove nuts and center underbody heat shield.

3. Disconnect shift cable and bracket from gearshift range selector lever stud.

Edit. Figure 3 for Shift cable bracket and what this is. Also shifter arm = lever stud
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d801bd397.jsp

4. Remove four nuts retaining bracket.

5. Remove bracket with transaxle shift cable and bracket connected and position out of way.

6. Lower vehicle.

7. With screwdriver, carefully pry bezel from console assembly.

8. Lift gearshift lever out of console assembly to access transmission control switch wiring harness connector.

9. Disconnect gearshift lever wiring harness connector and remove gearshift lever.


Installation

1. Connect gearshift lever wiring harness connector.

2. Lower gearshift lever into console assembly and install on front floor pan.

3. Snap bezel into place on console assembly.

4. Raise vehicle on hoist.

5. Install bracket and four retaining nuts. Tighten nuts to 16-22 N-m (12-16 lb-ft).

6. Connect shift cable and bracket to gearshift selector lever stud.

7. Install center underbody heat shield and nuts.

8. Lower vehicle.


Transmission Control Switch
Removal

1. Remove gearshift lever as outlined.

2. Remove two transmission control switch wires from wiring harness connector.

3. Remove transmission control switch from gearshift lever knob by prying out with a screwdriver. Pull wires out of shift control selector lever knob.

Installation

1. Feed transmission control switch wires into gearshift lever knob .

2. Push transmission control switch into gearshift lever knob .

3. Connect the two transmission control switch wires to wiring harness connector.

4. Install gearshift lever as outlined.


Gearshift Lever Knob

Removal

1. Remove gearshift lever as outlined.

2. Remove transmission control switch as outlined.

3. Remove Allen-head screw retaining gearshift lever knob to transmission control selector rod.

4. Hold gearshift lever knob securely and press release button.

5. Pull up on gearshift lever knob to remove.


Installation

1. Install gearshift lever knob over transmission control selector rod and transmission control switch wiring.

2. Install Allen-head screw retaining gearshift lever knob to shift lever. Tighten to 2-3 N-m (17-26 lb-in).

3. Install transmission control switch as outlined.

4. Install gearshift lever as outlined.


Also check if the shifter interlock actuator could be broken.

Shifter Interlock Actuator
Removal and Installation

1. Remove gearshift lever as outlined.

2. Remove wiring harness connector from gearshift lever.

3. Remove two screws retaining shift lock actuator (3Z719) to gearshift lever.

4. Remove shift lock actuator.

5. To install, reverse Removal procedure. Tighten gearshift lever nuts and bolts to 16-22 N-m (12-16 lb-ft). Tighten shift lock actuator screws to 2 N-m (18 lb-in).

[Aussie Ford]

Thanks Tony,
I was afraid someone was going to say that really was how it needed to be done. Have you done that b4? if so any partictulars you'd care to share?
Regards,
Aussie Ford

[Tony2005]

No, I haven't done that before but I have read many posts where someone just yanks the shifter up and then have a few broken wires that they have to reconnect (making the wires a little longer this time, of course ).

[Aussie Ford]

Well now I have experience in it and the doing the bottom side is a snap no problems there it is all straight forward. Just jack and support the car, drop the heat shield (four washer type nuts) pop the control cable off the shifter and remove 4 - 10mm nuts your done there. The only tricky part is removing the shifter bezel from the console. It is easy to break the thin plastic sliding cover on the rear side of the shifter if you get it extended too far back when removing it. It is also a bit tight separating the wiring connectors down inside the console, but if you get through all that it's a snap. Oh ya, you have to remove the pins on the leads for the OD switch from the connector and then cut a couple of tie wraps then remove the shift knob. Once out pop out the switch and replace with a new one. Be sure to feed the leads in their chase before putting the knob back on the shift rod. Otherwise you will most likely strip off some insulation and possibly short out the switch. Once that is together reinsert the leads in the brackets on the shifter housing and the pins into the connector (remember to mark or note which lead goes where). Don't forget to replace the tie wraps, and reinstall it in the floor board and console. the underneath part is the easiest. Go have an adult beverage

Again thanks for the help.....

[Tony2005]

Thanks for posting to close out the thread. It will be helpful for future searches.