Servicing - A/t: Maintenance Ford Thunderbird XI

SERVICE INTERVALS

Check transmission fluid level at every engine oil change. Under normal service, change transmission fluid and filter at 150,000-mile intervals. See DRAINING & REFILLING . Service all models at 30,000-mile intervals when used under the following conditions

1. In hot weather with temperature greater than 90°F (32°C), carrying heavy loads and/or in hilly terrain.
2. Towing a trailer or using a car top carrier.
3. In police, taxi or door-to-door delivery service.
4. Extreme dusty conditions or off-road use.

CHECKING FLUID LEVELS

1. Using a scan tool, monitor the Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) using PID: TFT. Start the vehicle. Engine idle speed should be approximately 650 RPM.
2. Run engine until the recommended TFT is between 81-120°F (27-49°C). The fluid level can be checked above 122°F (50°C) using this procedure.
3. Move the gearshift lever slowly, stopping in each gear. Place gearshift lever in the Park position. Raise and support the vehicle. Set vehicle as close to level as possible.
4. If needed, the Drive Pinion Angle Gauge (205-025), can be used to assist in leveling the vehicle. (Scheme 39) Place a drain pan under the transmission.
5. With the transmission in the Park position and the engine running, use a 3/16" Allen key to remove the fluid level indicator plug. (Scheme 40) Allow the fluid to drain. Wait approximately one minute.
6. When the fluid comes out as a thin stream or a drip, it is at the correct level. If no fluid comes out of the hole, fluid will need to be added. Continue with this procedure. Install the Fluid Fill Tool (307-437), into the transmission fluid pan. (Scheme 41)
7. Using the Oil Suction Gun (303-D104), extract approximately one pint of clean ATF from a suitable container. Using the oil suction gun and fluid fill tool, fill the transmission with clean ATF. (Scheme 42) Remove the oil suction gun.
8. Allow fluid to drain. Wait approximately one minute. When fluid comes out as a thin stream or drip, the fluid is at correct level. If no fluid drains from the plug, continue adding clean ATF in 1/2-pint increments until fluid starts to drain from the plug.
9. Remove the fluid fill tool from the pan. Reinstall the fluid level indicator plug and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-141346-S23663150352002062000000). Lower the vehicle. Check the operation of the transmission and inspect for leaks.

Scheme 39

Scheme 40

Scheme 41

Scheme 42

RECOMMENDED FLUIDS

Manufacturer recommends Mercon(R) V (XT-5-QM) ATF. Fill transmission with appropriate quantity. See FLUID CAPACITIES .

DRAINING & REFILLING

Note. Transmission pan gasket is reusable. Clean and inspect gasket for damage, and replace as necessary.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Place a drain pan under the transmission fluid pan. Remove the drain plug and drain the fluid. Disconnect the wire harness from the top of the transmission shift cable bracket.
2. Remove the transmission shift cable bracket and position out of the way. (Scheme 43) Disconnect the HO2S sensor connectors and remove the sensor wire retaining clip from the right side of the transmission pan rail. (Scheme 44)
3. Remove the HO2S sensor connector from the front of the transmission pan rail. Remove the fluid pan and gasket. Remove and discard the transmission fluid filter. (Scheme 45)
4. Clean and inspect the transmission fluid pan and magnet. Remove the converter housing plug. Remove the torque converter drain plug. (Scheme 46)
5. Install a new torque converter drain plug and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-141346-S23663150352002062000000). Install the converter housing access plug.
6. Lubricate the seals and install the transmission fluid filter. (Scheme 45) Tighten transmission fluid filter to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-141346-S23663150352002062000000).
7. Install the oil pan magnet in the transmission fluid pan. Install the transmission fluid pan and gasket and loosely install the bolts.
8. Tighten the transmission oil pan bolts in a crisscross sequence to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-141346-S23663150352002062000000).
9. Install the transmission shift cable bracket. Tighten transmission shift cable bracket bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-141346-S23663150352002062000000). Reconnect the wire harness to the top of the transmission shift cable bracket.
10. Install the HO2S sensor connector to the front of the transmission pan rail. Reconnect the HO2S sensor connectors and install the sensor wire retaining clip to the right side of the transmission pan rail. Install the drain plug and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-141346-S23663150352002062000000).
11. Lower vehicle. Fill the transmission with appropriate fluid to proper level and check for correct transmission operation. See «CHECKING FLUID LEVELS»(ref-141346-S33682024172002062000000).

Scheme 43

Scheme 44

Scheme 45

Scheme 46

OIL COOLER FLUSHING

1. Using a suitable torque converter/fluid cooler cleaner, back flush the fluid cooler and lines. Test the equipment to make sure that a vigorous fluid flow is present before proceeding.
2. Install a new filter in the flushing equipment if flow is weak or contaminated. To aid in attaching the cleaner to the transmission steel cooler tubes, connect 2 additional rubber hoses to the transmission end of the steel transmission cooler tubes.
3. Connect the cleaner tank pressure line to the steel transmission inlet tube. (Scheme 47) Connect a tank return hose to the steel transmission outlet tube. Place the outlet end of this hose in the solvent.
4. Turn on the solvent pump and allow the solvent to circulate a minimum of 5 minutes (cycling the switch on and off will help dislodge contaminants in the cooler system).
5. Switch off the solvent pump and disconnect the solvent pressure hose from the transmission cooler return line. Use compressed air to blow out the cooler(s) and tubes (blow air into the transmission cooler return line) until all solvent is removed. Remove the rubber return hose from the remaining steel cooler line.

Scheme 47