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BGATES225 · 01-27-2015, 04:29 PM

I recently had the transmission rebuilt on a Ford F53/Itasca Suncruiser and we need to locate the diagnostic connector to electronically set the transmission. Any idea where they hid the plug/connector?

subford · 01-27-2015, 06:23 PM

I have no idea what you mean by " electronically set the transmission".
But the diagnostic connector is also called the self-test plug or connector.
It is located under the doghouse on the side next to the driver.

Here is a photo of the location:

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BGATES225 · 01-28-2015, 06:12 AM

Thanks for the help! Found it....

Electronically set means the Trans guy needs to hook up to the computer and program the shift points. Since it's an electronic transmission all that gets sets via the computer..at least that's what I've been told...

subford · 01-28-2015, 07:45 AM

The Trans guy does not know what he is talking about.
You can not change any settings in the tables for the shift points unless you add a after market chip to the back of the computer. There may be some after marke controllers that can change how it works but not with a stock setup.

You were told wrong.

The stock computer does not care how many times you rebuild the transmission it is not going to change how it controls the transmission.

House Husband · 01-28-2015, 06:51 PM

Subford has it right. Your 96 F53 is still OBD I, not OBD II and can not have it's data base changed unless you add a tuner such as a Tweecer.

Richard

Nick-B · 01-29-2015, 02:22 PM

Common mistake that a lot of repair shops make. Pretty much every other vehicle moved to OBDII in 1996 except for the F53/460 which stayed OBDI thru 1997.

BGATES225 · 02-07-2015, 08:20 AM

Thanks for the help guys. I think Trans guy assumed since it was a '96 that it had gone to OBII. He's out of town and will have to look at this when he gets back. I know it's an electronic trans, so there must be some other way of adjusting the shift points when it is rebuilt. Maybe manually or???

BGATES225 · 02-07-2015, 08:22 AM

Depending on how this plays out it might make the most efficient and economical sense to put in an aftermarket tuner. Anyone done that? Happy with the results?

subford · 02-07-2015, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGATES225

I know it's an electronic trans, so there must be some other way of adjusting the shift points when it is rebuilt. Maybe manually or???

Reread post number 4 & 5 above.

BGATES225 · 02-07-2015, 08:32 AM

Well, something changed between the old trans and the rebuild job....Reverse was shot, but forward gears were mostly fine and shifted at points pretty close to the owners manual specified points, but not now. This sure isn't my area of expertise, but there has to be something that can be done..

subford · 02-07-2015, 08:45 AM

The shift points may have changed a little from year to year with the F53 tables in the PCM Computer. Maybe someone that looked at the tables could tell you what year it shifted when. The tables are a starting point but they are changed as explained below.

The transmission does not shift at a certain speed. The computer up shifts the transmission depending on sensor inputs such as the TPS, VSS, ECT, MAP, TFT & TR.
So the shift points will change as the information from the sensors change.

subford · 02-07-2015, 09:02 AM

I just look through the 1996 Ford F53 Owners manual and I did not see anything on shift points.

chboone · 02-07-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGATES225

Well, something changed between the old trans and the rebuild job....Reverse was shot, but forward gears were mostly fine and shifted at points pretty close to the owners manual specified points, but not now. This sure isn't my area of expertise, but there has to be something that can be done..

Did the trans guy install an aftermarket shift kit/valve body?