[Shotimes] Need advise on removing auto trans shift handle

[Kevin & Cheryl Airth]

Norman:
 There is a little confusion here. The ATX button popping out is not the OD
button. 2 separate items. You don't have to remove the shift handle to get
the OD switch and wiring out. Part number new for the O/D switch and wires
is F3LY-7E276-A or F5LZ-7E276-AA  List about $20. I don't know if it's still
available or not? Have you read the FAQ about removing the shift handle?
http://tinyurl.com/2ylba

 Here is how I fixed mine. The wires are very fine and must stay flexible or
they will break again. So what I did was remove the OD switch and it's wires
from the shift knob. Hint: I tied a small piece of fishing line on the wires
BEFORE pulling them all the way out. So something stayed fished through the
small hole the entire time. I think it would be extra tough to try and fish
everything back in without some sort of guide! It's so small and tight that
you will need to work it back and forth to get it all the way back in. If
both wires are not broken, cut them as long as possible before removing
them. Then look at the remaining wire. Most of it stays straight and does
not flex at all. But Ford used the same wire for the entire length. So cut
the flex wires up by the switch and flip that section upside down. Then
splice in a short section of 20-22 gauge wire somewhere up next to the
switch itself. Then splice the remaining flex wire to this. This will put a
section of unused flex wire right where it needs to be. You only need the
flexibility where the wires come out of the bottom of the shift lever.
Inside the shift lever nothing moves much. Ford must have used a special
wire because I could not find anything that small and flexible! They all
kept breaking.

 Do you have the shop manual to help out?
.
.



> My OD light and function became intermittent so I decided to see if I
> had the chaffed wire issue.  I removed the console and while pulling
> back the stress relief mesh I found that both wires of the OD harness
> had broken.  I tried fix it with solder but these are little 20-22 gauge
> wires and in tight quarters this was impossible.  I am  considering butt
> crimping them together but think getting a new harness is a better
> solution.  Has anyone R/R'd their auto trans shift handle?  The manual
> says to remove the OD switch with needle nose pliers but with the recent
> discussion of "OD switch going boing" I am a bit hesitant to try this.
>
> Thanks,
> Norman
> '95 ATX