96 Ford Bronco Transmission

[rcovey]

I recently purchased a 96 Bronco and Saturday night after driving to a friends house and parking it for a few hours it will no longer move when placed into drive. I can place it it low one and reverse to move it but it will not move anywhere or go through the gears when placed in drive. I checked for leaks and had none, fluid levels were low so I added a can of Trans X or whatever its called and still have the same results. Can someone please help me diagnose this problem. This is my only vehicle currently and need to get it working again. All help will be appreciated.

 

[illinoisbronco]

I recently purchased a 96 Bronco and Saturday night after driving to a friends house and parking it for a few hours it will no longer move when placed into drive. I can place it it low one and reverse to move it but it will not move anywhere or go through the gears when placed in drive. I checked for leaks and had none, fluid levels were low so I added a can of Trans X or whatever its called and still have the same results. Can someone please help me diagnose this problem. This is my only vehicle currently and need to get it working again. All help will be appreciated.

broken or detached shift linkage. found on the drivers side 1/2 way dwn the trans.

 

[rcovey]

illinoisbronco,

Thank you for your quick response. I found the shift linkage that you were talking about. Everything on the OUTSIDE appears to be intact. When the key is inserted and the gears run through, the shift linkage does move and seems to do so without hesitation. Is there something with this part that could be affected on the inside of the transmission? Also my boss said something about there might be an electronic solenoid that could be bad. Is this possible?

 

[Miss Kitten]

hi there

i know i'm a newbie to the site. but just wanted to let you know that not two weeks ago i had the same thing happen to my 95 bronco. we've been through every possible scenario and i'm sorry to say but it looks like your forward clutches are shot. it starts with a slip of the lip seal that is leaking on the inside. to be sure though if you have access to a code reader put that on the truck. that will be the easiest way to determine if it's a soleniod issue. there's actually 5 electronic soleniod's related to that tranny.

 

[miesk5]

I agree w/Miss Kitten, have it scanned for free at a local AutoZone and post the Codes found, if any, here.

BTW, is the Transmission Control Indicator Lamp (TCIL) flashing? It is at the end of the shifter stalk

other checks;

Check speed sensor (Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS, also called RABS or DSS (diff speed sensor)), or rear axle sensor - check Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)

You can find some tests for both in my site under ELECTRICAL; EEC/PCM, Self-Test, wiring diagrams... -> Sensor .

Would do it for you, but I must get off the PC now.

 

[Miss Kitten]

the code readers are really cheap to buy too. i paid $36 for mine. it's a great tool to add to your collection. if you do end up buying the code reader make sure the check the mlps (manual level positioning sensor). it's really easy to test if that is working with the code reader. make sure the truck is in park for the koeo (key on engine off) test. run the code reader, record the codes. then put the truck in nuteal and run the koeo test again and you should get code 654 (mlps not in park). that will make sure that the computer is picking up where that mlps is.

i will be hearing back today on my donor truck for my zf swap so if in fact your forward clutches are shot are you are interested in doing a full zf swap in your bronco as well i have no problems answering any questions for you.

good luck

 

[illinoisbronco]

the code readers are really cheap to buy too. i paid $36 for mine. it's a great tool to add to your collection. if you do end up buying the code reader make sure the check the mlps (manual level positioning sensor). it's really easy to test if that is working with the code reader. make sure the truck is in park for the koeo (key on engine off) test. run the code reader, record the codes. then put the truck in nuteal and run the koeo test again and you should get code 654 (mlps not in park). that will make sure that the computer is picking up where that mlps is.
i will be hearing back today on my donor truck for my zf swap so if in fact your forward clutches are shot are you are interested in doing a full zf swap in your bronco as well i have no problems answering any questions for you.

good luck

i dont mean to sound like an idiot but i have never heard of a zf swap. what does that mean?

 

[Miss Kitten]

the zf is a heavy duty five speed manual transmission most commonly found in 1992-1996 f-250's with the 5.8L engines and are also found in the 7.3L diesel engines. the zf is actually a german made transmission. the zf has a 5.72 ratio in first gear and has the beauty of that 5th gear compared the e4od with only 4 gears. although the zf does not have over drive it is the best of both worlds for a transmission. granny low crawling gear in first gear and ability to obtain and maintain hiway speeds at lower rpms

 

[rcovey]

I agree w/Miss Kitten, have it scanned for free at a local AutoZone and post the Codes found, if any, here.BTW, is the Transmission Control Indicator Lamp (TCIL) flashing? It is at the end of the shifter stalk

other checks;

Check speed sensor (Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS, also called RABS or DSS (diff speed sensor)), or rear axle sensor - check Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)

You can find some tests for both in my site under ELECTRICAL; EEC/PCM, Self-Test, wiring diagrams... -> Sensor .

Would do it for you, but I must get off the PC now.

The indicator light has come on before but it goes off If I restart the truck. It hasn't come on for sometime now though. I will have to take it up and have the codes read as you suggested. I will post any codes for help.

 

[rcovey]

the code readers are really cheap to buy too. i paid $36 for mine. it's a great tool to add to your collection. if you do end up buying the code reader make sure the check the mlps (manual level positioning sensor). it's really easy to test if that is working with the code reader. make sure the truck is in park for the koeo (key on engine off) test. run the code reader, record the codes. then put the truck in nuteal and run the koeo test again and you should get code 654 (mlps not in park). that will make sure that the computer is picking up where that mlps is.
i will be hearing back today on my donor truck for my zf swap so if in fact your forward clutches are shot are you are interested in doing a full zf swap in your bronco as well i have no problems answering any questions for you.

good luck

My transmission is an automatic so I am not real sure that I want to have to deal with the switch and putting in a clutch an everything. Its already to much to deal with. I really hope its not anything major as you are thinking. I am assuming that if the clutches are bad then it will have to be rebuilt? Or is this a drop and replace kind of fix?

 

[Miss Kitten]

if you swap over to the zf manual there is some work required. but for the most part it is a bolt on swap. i would call around to some places and price out rebuilding the e4od though. the places that i have found in my area are wanting a minimum $1600 for a rebuilt e4od. you may be able to find someone willing to rebuild yours for cheaper. but from the looks of it i'll be into my entire zf swap for about $800.

 

[rostheiceman]

if it turns out that the prob it termanal be for you lokk to have it rebuilt i would check your local autoparts store and find the cost of a remaned one more often then not a reman will cost half as much as having it rebulit or you can go the junk yard route whitch is not a bad idea

 

[miesk5]

yo,"...Parts used in the ZF Tranmission Swap. I will probaly be fabbing up the transmission mounts for sale that raises the transfer case about 1.5" Stay Tuned.

Part Part# Source Cost

ZF S5-42 Ford/Junkyard Used $600

Rebuild ZF: seals, bearings, synchros LP Gear $500

Flywheel E8TR-AA Ford/Junkyard/Call Franklin

New $406

Used $40

Franklin $185

Flywheel Bolts MRG 912 Heinz Bros $8.75

Tranny Bolts 2- 1" Shorter than stock Heinz Bros $2.00

Pilot Bearing AutoZone 7.99

Internal Clutch ***** YL5Z7A5008AA Ford $66.65

Hydralic Hose F3TZ-7A512-A Ford $42.95

***** Cylinder Ford $62.29

Internal Clutch ***** Bolts Interstate Bolt $1.00

Clutch Disc CEN218226 Heinz Bros / Centerforce II $72.25

Pressure Plate CENCFT360049 Heinz Bros / Centerforce II $150.66

PP Bolts 3/8/18-1" Heinz Bros $5.95

Pedals 92-96 F150/Bronco J&T Automotive Used $35.00

Floor Pan 92-96 F150/Bronco J&T Automotive Used $20.00

ZF Shifter/Boot 92-96 F250 w/351 J&T Automotive Used $35.00

Driveshafts: +63mm in the rear, -63mm in the front

Need to use a wire jumper to bypass the neutral safety switch.

Phone #'s:

J&T Automotive 1-800-274-8090

Heinz Bros 1-704-872-8081

These prices will probaly be cheaper than most can find because I am running this through Corley Body Works, my brother-in-law's shop. But it will give you a good ball park.

Everything works fine. The truck may work better with a manual computer, will try when I go to J&T. But it is great and I recommend it highly.

Later, Jeff..."

by Jeff, a good pal

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& more ZF and swap info & pics LINKS in my broncolinks.com site under http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=55