found motor oil in my distributor

[broncobuckinaround]

Still tracing wires. And there is a wire from the trans range sensor that leads to the ignition module. So I removed the distributor and the module and found motor oil covering the back and burnt. Now since the module could have suffered some internal damage by getting baked with oil. Could maybe this be causing my issue. Not getting a proper signal. I'm not sure which direction the signal goes. I'm assuming it goes from range switch to distributor.

Can any confirm or disprove my theory. I've all ready placed an order for another distributor and module

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Year and motor?

 

[RonD]

The NSS(neutral safety switch) on the trans will have a wire going to TFI module, it gives the module/coil 12volts when key is in START position, same connection sends 12volts to starter relay on fender to engage starter motor.
This wire is only active(12volts) with key turned to START.
NSS contact for this is closed(passes voltage) when shifter is in Park or Neutral, and open(doesn't pass voltage) when trans is in gear.
NSS also passes power to reverse lights.

TFI module does have a PIP(tach signal for injector timing) wire going to the computer and then a wire coming back from computer, SPOUT wire, that allows computer to "suggest" spark timing changes based on computer's other sensor inputs.

The trans and distributor have no signal exchange otherwise.

 

[broncobuckinaround]

Thx Ron. So I can eliminate the range sensor as my culprit. I've replaced the distributor but only got a change in throttle response and a slight mis is gone. Which other sensor am I missing that can cause the pcm to ground the tcc circuit.

Like what has to be met in order for the pcm to ground tcc.
This is harder than I thought.

 

[broncobuckinaround]

Year and motor?

Look at my info on the left

 

[RonD]

Had to look up last post to see what you are talking about.

You have an A4LD transmission that is shifting into 4th(OD) when starting off from a stop.

1986 Ranger with A4LD only had 2 wires from computer to trans, it only had torque converter solenoid/control.
In mid-'87 a 3rd wire was added for 3-4 solenoid, an OD solenoid.
Technically 1 or the 2 or 3 wires in not a computer wire, it is a 12volt power wire activated by ignition switch

NSS wires have nothing to do with transmission control, these 5 wires are not control wires.

If you do have that 3rd wire and 2nd solenoid, then disconnect the wires to that solenoid and drive it, make sure it is not shifting into 4th(OD), so it is indeed a control issue.
Solenoids get 12volts when key is on, but as you said they are grounded via the computer.
This means a bare wire somewhere will activate a solenoid.

 

[broncobuckinaround]

I've replaced the engine harness. And pcm with matching serial numbers. I believe the wires are good. It is a 2 wire solenoid. One red which is constant power and orange which is pcm ground.

So it has a new tps, tested map sensor. Never confirmed if it was good or bad. But it was giving a reading. New speed sensor and it's connector. Those wires were bare and twisted together for who knows how long. But they are all new.

I don't know of any other sensor that either is load barring or could be my issue. I have the dash off looking for issues in there. I read the cruise control amplifier has something to do with tcc lock up. It was on a post.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Look at my info on the left

Got confused, it looks like two different vehicles. A 2007 and a 1986. I realize now that it's month/year.

 

[RonD]

Just to confirm what you have.

You only have the TCC solenoid with the 2 wires, and no 3-4 solenoid for overdrive control.
Right?

An current A4LD doesn't need 3-4 control, i.e. not a later model A4LD
And current computer doesn't expect to control a 3-4 solenoid

 

[broncobuckinaround]

Correct. Late model a4ld one solenoid for overdrive control. No 3-4 shift control.

 

[RonD]

Correct. Late model a4ld one solenoid for overdrive control. No 3-4 shift control.

OD and 3-4 are the same thing??

Early model A4LD had a 2 wire connector, late model A4LD had a 3 wire connector.

Early model had 1 solenoid that lock torque converter, it had no control of overdrive, 3rd gear to OD(3-4) shift was hydraulic/pressure activated, no computer control.

Later model A4LDs added 2nd solenoid for computer control of 3rd to OD shift, and there would be a 3 wire connection on the trans and from the computer.
You need a computer that has the software to control this 2nd solenoid.

 

[broncobuckinaround]

sorry Ron. early model a4ld. one solenoid two wires.

 

[RonD]

So the torque converter is locking too soon slowing acceleration and/or not unlocking causing shuddering when slowing down to stop?

If so I would first hook up a jumper wire on the Ground wire for the TCC and run it into the cab, or if you have the PCM available tap the ground wire there, hook up a test light to a cab 12volt(inertia switch works) and that jumper ground wire.
Then go for a drive and see when the computer is grounding(locking) the torque converter.

Usually it is the solenoid at fault, not the computer, but testing like this eliminates the solenoid as the problem.

 

[broncobuckinaround]

Oh good I'm glad you said that. I've already did that exact thing. I've rigged a toggle to it so I can control tcc when going over 45.

Right now since I'm trying to fix it I have a test light rigged to see when the pcm applies ground which is very quickly after I step on the gas. I have the rear end off the ground so I can have the tires spin. But it also grounds when it in any gear including park and neutral. It also doesn't happen until it warms up a bit. When I had the pan off I tested the solenoid by grounding it with the key on and a test light. Clicked every time I touched it.

 

[RonD]

Then problem is in the computer.
I would unplug the TPS and then see if computer still Grounds the TCC on increased RPM, if not then test TPS voltage, center wire should have .6-.9volts when throttle is closed, under 1 volt.
Then voltage should increase slowly but steadily as throttle is opened.
When throttle is wide open voltage should be above 4.5volts.

If you have cruise control make sure it is off, or pull fuse, cruise control shouldn't disable TPS voltage but it can.

Also unplug VSS on trans speedo cable, see if computer stops grounding TCC with RPM increase