I have a 1990 ranger in need of a new transmission. My question is which harness determines if I have a two wire trans or three wire trans. The tailshaft next to the spedo cable is a two wire harness. On the upper left side of the trans is a multi wire (I think 5 wires) harness. Below that near the top of the oil pan is a three wire. I think this is the wire or plug referred to for identifying the three wire.
Thanks
Bob

 

It is; the 2 wires at the back are for the VSS sensor, the 5 wire connector is for reverse and nuetral safety switch. All the A4LD transmissions (as these were called in Ford parlance) had these. The 3 wire connector controls TCC and 4th gear.

 

Thanks for your reply greasemark. I installed a new old stock trans with the three wire . 1st and 2ng shift fine but in 3rd i get slipping could this be a simple band adjustment?
Bob

 

Most likely not. My father had a simple, yet usually right saying about this (he owned his own shop in automatics back in the '50's, but the truth holds): "if you need to adjust a band, you usually need a band."
However, it does pay to look at the holddown nut and see if it's tight. If it hasn't moved (which most won't), then you probably need either some attention to the o/d or direct drum, depending on which 3rd gear you're talking about (remember, in this trans, on some applications, '2nd gear' was really just an overdriven first gear, so there are 2 choices).
These transmissions usually did burn up the intermediate band quite often, and on many they just wear out.
Sounds like you're going to need work; don't put it off for long, either. The slipping causes heat which burns drums, clutches, pistons, etc. making the repair really expensive.

 

Thanks again the trans has not been driven other than around the block. It is a new old stock trans, never been installed until now. I can feel1st and 2nd shift fine when it shifts to third I feel slippage, I did not drive to see if the torque converter locks up. I will check the lock nut for looseness.
I am hoping for an adjustment problem, the place I bought it from will guarantee it to work but will not pay shipping.
Thanks
Bob