Torqueflite 727 4speed in a Aston Martin - Help wanted

[Gerd Steimer]

Good mornig from Germany! I found your forum while i searched Info for torqueflite 727 Gearbox.

I have a Aston Martin Virage Volante of 1994 with a 4-speed transmission A-727-A 4, (no overdrive, just for gears) the car have 35.000 miles only, the gearbox works very well, but suddenly on the Autobahn, while i accelarate, it did not shift in the 4.gear anymore.

The other three speeds and reverse works very well.
Gearbox Number is PK5300 8148 1290 9917 Axle Ratio 3.54 (the AM 5.3 V8 engine has a range to 5.800 rev/minute)
Aston Martin is not able to help me, they have a catastrophic documentation of the earlier years.

I think it must be a conversion of the 727 or could it be a 518 Torqueflite?. Aston said, it's a modified 727 four speed.
I will be very happy about any information to solve this problem.



Thats my car:

Thank you very much in advance!

Gerd

 

[mmissile]

Welcome. Sexy car! TF in an import? Who knew?

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Just spoke with my Astin expert.You have the A-727 with an 11.75 inch converter.Same combo that was used in Jensen Interceptors.It is a 3 speed transmission and any parts you may need are very available.

 

[Photon440]

Hello Gerd, Welcome! You have a classy looking car.
These people specialize in Aston Martin transmissions, I'm sure they could help you out further: http://pw-eng.com/

 

[Gerd Steimer]

Thank you! I contacted them now, and hope they have a solution.

 

[Greg Ducato]

You should have the Chrysler 4 speed automatic in that car, there is an internal solenoid for fourth gear that may be bad or it could be an external control issue like a speed sensor, wiring or TCM. I worked for Aston Martin 1985-1987 building 727's , after Ford bought them out in 1987 they changed the way things were done there in Newport Pagnell.

 

[Gerd Steimer]

Wow - thank you very much Greg! Let me say - you are better informed as Aston Martin today


I am a vintage car enthusiast since decades, and worked hard to allow me such a car,
a specialist of Aston Martin Germany (located in Kronberg near Frankfurt) struggled to really help me,
i am sure, he will really appreciate it too.

Do you know where the solenoid is located?

You made my day!

Gerd

 

[Greg Ducato]

The solenoid is located on the valve body and can be accessed by valve body removal if need be. There are three wires that go into this trans for lockup and 4th gear activation via a tan oval shaped plug on the drivers side if it is equipped with a locking torque converter. The center wire should be hot with the key on, the outside wires ground the TCC and OD solenoid via computer command. You can unplug this and run 12 volts to the trans and a switchable ground to the outside terminals to test and see if the problem is in the trans or if it coming from a command position.

 

[Gerd Steimer]

Thank you Greg, it ist very helpful for me, next week the AM goes on the lift to check this. An oval shaped plug is not in the car, may be there is no locking torque converter?
I think, the late virage with 4-speed auto is a transition to the V8 Model in 1996. (see attached drawing of this V8 gearbox) Am i right, that they have the same gearbox?

If you need sometimes somethings in or from Germany, i will be glad to help you!
it was very sobering for me to find some informations about that gearbox until i came to this forum!

 

[Greg Ducato]

If your gearbox looks like the one in this illustration then it is a 518 and will have a two or thee wire connection on the drivers side of the trans to the rear of the linkage. Both the lockup and non lockup have the same oval shaped female case plug, the non lockup version is bright yellow with two pins, the lockup is a tan neutral color with three pins.

 

[Gerd Steimer]

surprise surprise! AM speaks to me about the 727 - and now 518 is possible!
Next week i will check it on the lift and will keep you informed.

Thanks and have a nice weekend!

Gerd

 

[Gerd Steimer]

between information - today now I spoke with the friendly Guy from AM Germany, he came after researches to the same conlusion, the car have a torqueflite 518.

regards
Gerd

By the way - this is a Mopar Forum, my new project is a Bristol 411, equipped with the Chrysler 6.6 litre engine

 

[Photon440]

Looking forward to seeing that one too!