Test A: Shift Solenoids

Electronic Diagnostics

Ensure transaxle harness connector is in acceptable condition. Repair as necessary. Ensure transaxle harness connector is fully seated. Connect NGS tester to DLC. Perform KEY ON ENGINE OFF (KOEO) SELF-TEST until continuous memory codes have been displayed. Enter output test mode. Select ALL ON mode. Push START to turn outputs on. Push STOP to turn outputs off. If PCM enters output test mode, go to next step. If PCM will not enter output test mode, see SCAN TOOL UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING.

Check Electrical Signal Operation

Disconnect transaxle harness connector. Inspect condition of connector and repair as needed. Using DVOM, connect positive lead to transaxle harness connector terminal No. 2. See Fig 1 . Connect negative lead to suspect solenoid circuit. See SHIFT SOLENOID CIRCUIT CONTINUITY TEST table. While monitoring DVOM, press START and STOP to cycle solenoid output on and off. If voltage changes at least .5 volt, go to step 5 . If voltage does not change as specified, go to next step.

Fig 1: Identifying Transaxle Harness Connector Terminals
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Check Continuity Of Shift Solenoid Signal & VPWR Harness Circuits

Ensure ignition switch is turned to OFF position. Disconnect PCM 104-pin connector, and inspect it for damaged terminals, corrosion and loose wires. Repair as necessary. Install breakout box, leaving PCM disconnected. Measure and record resistance between specified transaxle harness connector terminal and breakout box test pin. See SHIFT SOLENOID CIRCUIT CONTINUITY TEST table. If any resistance reading is greater than 5 ohms, repair open circuit. Connect all components. Disconnect breakout box. If each resistance reading is 5 ohms or less, go to next step.

Check Shift Solenoid Harness For Shorts To Power & Ground

Measure and record resistance between specified breakout box test pins. See SHIFT SOLENOID SHORT CIRCUIT TEST table. If any resistance reading is less than 10 k/ohms, repair short circuit. Connect all components. Disconnect breakout box. If each resistance reading is 10 k/ohms or more, go to next step.

SHIFT SOLENOID CIRCUIT CONTINUITY TEST

Solenoid & Transaxle Harness Connector Terminal No. ⁽¹⁾

Breakout Box Pin No.

Continental, Sable & Taurus (4V)

(SSA) 1

(SSB) 6

(SSC) 8

(VPWR) 2

⁽²⁾ 71 & 97

Sable & Taurus (2V)

(SSA) 1

(SSB) 6

(SSC) 8

(VPWR) 2

⁽¹⁾	See Fig 1 .

⁽²⁾	Continental only.

SHIFT SOLENOID SHORT CIRCUIT TEST ⁽¹⁾

Breakout Box Solenoid Signal Output Pins No.

Breakout Box Test Pins No.

Continental, Sable & Taurus (4V)

6, 11 & 20

⁽²⁾ 71 & 97

6, 11 & 20

24, 25, 51, 76, 77, 91 & 103

6, 11 & 20

Ground

Sable & Taurus (2V)

1, 27 & 53

24, 25, 51, 76, 77, 91 & 103

1, 27 & 53

Ground

⁽¹⁾	Measure between breakout box test pins.

⁽²⁾	Continental only.

Shift Solenoid Functional Test

Connect transmission tester. Perform solenoid voltage test. See transmission tester instructions. If solenoid activates (Green LED on), go to next step. If LED turns Red (shorted to VPWR) or if solenoid does not activate LED (shorted to ground or open circuit), go to step 7 .

Transaxle Drive Test

Connect PCM 104-pin connector. Perform TRANSAXLE DYNAMIC DRIVE CYCLE TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. If transaxle does not upshift when operated by transmission tester, go to next step. If transaxle upshifts when operated with transmission tester, replace PCM. Connect all components. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Disconnect breakout box and repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. If symptom is still present, see SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS under TROUBLE SHOOTING in FORD AX4N OVERHAUL article.

Check Resistance Of Shift Solenoids

Set transmission tester Bench/Drive switch to BENCH position. Set gear select switch to OHMS CHECK position. Measure and record resistances between VPWR jack and SSA, SSB and SSC jack on transmission tester. Resistance for shift solenoids should be 20-30 ohms. If resistance readings are within specification, go to next step. If any resistance reading is not within specification, go to step 9 .

NOTE: Reading should be performed with a low current tester less than 200 milliamps.

Check Shift Solenoid For Short To Ground
Check continuity between BAT (-) terminal and SSA, SSB and SSC jack on transmission tester. If continuity exists, go to next step. If continuity does not exist, see SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS under TROUBLE SHOOTING in FORD AX4N OVERHAUL article.

Internal Electronic Diagnostics

Drain transaxle fluid. Remove transaxle side cover. Inspect all internal harness connectors. Ensure all connectors are fully connected and not damaged. Repair as needed. Install all components in reverse order of disassembly. Fill transaxle with fluid. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. If internal harness connectors are okay, go to next step.

Check Internal Transaxle Harness Continuity

Disconnect internal harness from shift solenoid assemblies. Measure and record resistance between transmission tester SSA, SSB, and SSC terminals and appropriate solenoid connectors. See INTERNAL HARNESS OPEN CIRCUIT TEST table. If resistance readings are .5 ohm or less, go to next step. If any resistance measured is more than .5 ohm, replace internal harness. Go to step 12 .

INTERNAL HARNESS OPEN CIRCUIT TEST

Transmission Tester Shift Solenoid Terminals	Shift Solenoid Connector Wire Color
SSA	Orange
SSB	Pink
SSC	Yellow
VPWR	Red

Check Internal Harness For Shorts To Ground

Using transmission tester, check continuity between each shift solenoid connector terminal and BAT (-) terminal of transmission tester. If continuity does not exist in any circuit, go to next step. If continuity exists in any circuit, replace internal harness and go to next step.

Check Resistance Of Shift Solenoid

Using ohmmeter, check resistance between terminals of each shift solenoid. Resistance for shift solenoids should be 20-30 ohms. If resistance readings are within specification, go to next step. If resistance readings are not within specification, replace faulty shift solenoid. Install all components in reverse order of disassembly. Fill transaxle with fluid. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING.

Check Shift Solenoid For Short To Ground

Using ohmmeter, check continuity between each shift solenoid terminal and ground. If continuity exists, replace faulty shift solenoid. Install all components in reverse order of disassembly. Fill transaxle with fluid. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. If continuity does not exist, see SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS under TROUBLE SHOOTING in FORD AX4N OVERHAUL article.