Adjusting FORD AOD TV controls

How to adjust the different styles of FORD AOD TV controls

These sections document the initial setting for the TV cable. They are usually right on but some small adjustments may need to be made after this inital setup.

Lift Tab Type Cable Adjustment

• Lift tab up to unlock adjustment assembly.
• Have someone floorboard the accelerator pedal from inside the vehicle. While the pedal is floored, push on the throttle body arm to make sure it's bottomed against its stop (wide open). (Adjust throttle cable, if necessary).
• While the throttle is floorboarded, lock the tab on TV adjuster.
• Mark the adjustment assembly. This is the MAX TV mark.
• Unlock the tab and slide housing towards bare cable 5/16” and lock tab. Make another mark up tight against adjustment assembly. This is the MIN TV mark.
• Make another mark midway between MAX and MIN. This is MID-mark.
• Adjust to MID-mark CI and road test.

Block Style Cable Adjustment

• Pull/push TV cable and block assembly out of throttle arm rubber grommet.
• Have someone floorboard accelerator pedal from inside the car. While the pedal is floored, push on the throttle body arm to make sure it's bottomed (wide open) against its stop. (Adjust throttle cable, if necessary.)
• Push the locking tab up through the adjustment block, with a pocket screwdriver, so that the locking tab is standing up next to clevis pin as shown in the picture.
• While someone is holding' the throttle pedal floorboarded: Pull the cable rail HARD towards the end of the cable with one hand, at the same time engage the clevis firmly into the throttle arm grommet. Engaging the clevis automatically locks the tab by pushing it into the block.
• Pull the block adjustment assembly out of the grommet: Make a mark, on the rail up against adjustment block. This is the MAX TV mark.
• Make another mark 5/16” from the max mark out on the rail. This is MIN TV mark.
• Make another mark midway between MAX mark and MIN mark. This mark is average or MID-mark.
• Unlock the adjustment tab. Set on MID-mark and lock tab. (Push it down into block.) Install into throttle arm grommet and road test.

AOD Road Test for TV Cable Units

• In manual ”3” it must have 3-2 kickdown at 50 mph (passenger cars).
• CARB AND THROTTLE BODY INJECTOR MODELS: Seem to work best with setting between MIN and MID.
• PORT INJECTION MODELS (Standard): Start with a setting just under MID.
• HIGH OUTPUT Port injection models: Start with setting just a hair over MID
• Adding TV to attempt to correct pinging, chugging or lugging won't work. It Just causes thumps, bumps and extra wear. Set the TV so that the shifts are smooth and not late.

TV Rod Type Adjustments

The early rod style TV controls have a bit of a different set up and adjusting sequence.

• Remove the air cleaner. Have someone floor the gas pedal from inside the car while you bend the THROTTLE cable bracket until the butterfly arm bottoms solidly on it's stop.
• Turn the adjustment screw IN until 13 threads are sticking out the front of the adjuster arm. (Approx. 7/16”)
• Start the engine with the AIR OFF and leave it OFF.
• While the engine is idling, loosen the adjustment bolt on the arm on the side of the transmission with a 13mm socket one full turn. Push the arm up (towards the top of the vehicle) and gently tighten the bolt.
• Now go back to the top adjustment and back off 13 turns.
• Now ROAD TEST. Place the selector in the '3' position and cruise at 45 mph. Floor the throttle, you will have no 3-2 kickdown. Turn the adjuster screw in exactly one turn at a time until you have kickdown at 45 mph. Then, turn the screw in 3 more turns. You will be in the middle of the TV adjustment.
• Now ROAD TEST for shift feel and timing. You can adjust in or out up to 2 turns to improve shift quality.
• Replace the air cleaner.

Using A Pressure Guage to Set It Up

You will need to install your gauge into the TV test port on the transmission. The port is eight inch pipe thread, and is located on the passenger side of the transmission. Toward the back of the transmission, above the pan rail you will find two 7/16” headed pipe plugs side by side. One plug is level with the outer edge of the pan rail, and the other plug is recessed. The recessed plug is the TV test port. Since this port is recessed, you may not see it if you are looking straight up from under the transmission, you will have to try to see over the pan rail.

Remove the TV test plug and install the fitting for your gauge. Attach the line from your gauge to the fitting in the test port. With the engine running the gauge should read 0 to 5 pounds at idle. If you happen to have the special tool for testing TV pressure (installs on the ball end of the cable to pull it a measured amount), the reading on the gauge should be approximately 30 psi with the tool installed. If you don't have the special tool you can tape the gauge to the outside of your windshield with the numbers facing in and have an assistant ride with you to watch the gauge. Normal acceleration from a stop should produce around 30 psi. You also want to make sure that as soon as you start to apply throttle, the gauge reading begins to rise. This is a good indication that there is no slack in the cable. If you would like you can also check the WOT pressure with the gauge mounted this way, it should read around 85 psi.

Article Reference - Baumann Electronic Controls