Swapped bad AX4N tranny for a 2002 AXOD. No Overdrive

2003 FORD TAURUS
175,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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N8NATHAN8
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I realize now that I should not have attempted this swap. However I was in between jobs and on a tight budget. My neighbor had a 2002 Taurus he was parting out and I thought I found a good deal.

Long story short: the AXOD required different CV axles (non ABS) and transmission mount from the donor car. Drives okay, but will not shift into overdrive.

Without knowing any better I attempted to swap ECMs and making things even worse. Theft system pretty much executed a "self destruct" command and made it where I had to tow it to the Ford dealership and they recut a key and flashed the original ECM. They were aware of the transmission swap. $435 later I got to drive the car home, but still wont shift into overdrive. My bill states nothing regarding my swap and complaint. I guess after 3 months down I was just happy to be driving it again.

Any suggestions or modifications perhaps in the wiring harness I can try?

Thanks for your help.
Dec 26, 2015 at 6:06 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 52,796 POSTS
you cannot interchange the 2 transmissions as you now know.

the wire harness is the difference. you would need to change the engine harness to accept the trans and that would solve the overdrive issue.

the only other way would be to put the correct trans in the car. you can go to www.car-part.com. I use them for finding all my parts.

Roy
Dec 27, 2015 at 9:37 AM
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