Attn: ATX owners- Problem with ATX gear shifter

[Jr's Sho]

A few days ago, the button on the side of my shifter broke. Well, today I looked at how the handle comes off and upon taking it off, it is very loose and will turn to the right with very little pressure. I had to twist the handle to break the seal below the console and it will not stay in one place, even when I reinstalled the "U" clip. I will be replacing it when I get another shifter soon but I'd like to know a fix for when I get my replacement. Also, my overdrive button isn't working anymore. I didn't pull on the wires too hard and upon looking inside the handle, I didn't see either of the two wires broke. I guess it could have come loose below the console. But a question when I do replace my handle, how do I hook up the OD wires on the new handle since the OD button will not come out. Do I splice them together or disconnect the wire below the trim console? Thanks, this is such a pain.

 

[Slo-Sho]

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=136

Hope this helps.

 

[Porod]

My overdrive button also quit working, and I had to take the center console out and splice the wire back together. After soldering the wires and taping them off, I reassembled everything, and it worked. However, the shifter was loose and would twist back and forth a bit. I had an extra U clip and put that on and it stopped the twisting, but I would think that if you just took a pair of pliers and closed the gap a little bit on the u clip, it would keep your shifter from twisting.

 

[billh]

I had a similar problem with the shifter in my car. The lockout button broke, I found a used complete handle assembly and a Ford tech friend showed me how to change it AND still have the OD button work:
1) Remove the top of the console to expose the shifter.
2) Remove the clip. It wasn't easy to get out, had to use a dental pick and small, flat blade screwdriver.
3) Remove the OD button by grasping it with a pair of needle nose pliers and GENTLY pull it out. Then remove the **** assembly by GENTLY applying up pressure.
4) Inspect the plastic strip with the two wires attached. If your lucky, and the wires aren't broken, tape the plastic assembly to the shift lever with ONE wrap of scotch tape. It has a locating notch. Anything thicker, or two wraps of tape and the shift **** won't slide over.
5) Slide the **** thru the plastic console indicator cover and slide the assembly down over the shift lever, being gentle when it slides over the plastic wire assembly. Work it all the way down until the shifter lock out engages into the top of the lever.
6) Insert the OD button with the needle nose pliers. You might have to play around with this unit to get it to make proper contact.
7) Reinsert the U-clip. This isn't easy either. I had to bend it around to get it tight.
This worked for me, I hope I have explained it properly
Good luck
Hope this helps
Bill

 

[93SHO_2]

I fought the little button and the 4 pronged tin plate and never did get them back in. Thank goodness we don't allow hills in my state, I just left overdrive engaged.