Where's the vacuum modulator located on 96 thunderbird

There is no vacuum modulator valve , this transmission is all electrical controlled . What seams to be the problem ? no shifting , shifting hard ETC....... shift solenoid inside the transmission maybe , input or out put speed sensor bad . Do you have a check engine light lit ? There probably is a DTC - diagnostic trouble code .

3.8L AOD transmissions are not built strong...it needs a rebuild

Here's your firing order and the cylinder location.

PCV valve would have nothing to do with it !
P1443 - Very Small Or No Purge Flow Condition A fuel tank pressure change greater than a minus (-) 7 inches of H 2 O in 30 seconds has occurred with purge (fuel vapor) flow less than 0.02 pounds per minute.

• Blocked fuel vapor hose between EVAP canister purge valve and FTP sensor.
• Blocked fuel vapor hose between EVAP canister purge valve and engine intake manifold.
• Blocked vacuum hose between EVAP canister purge valve-solenoid and engine intake manifold.
• EVAP canister purge valve stuck closed (mechanically).

Check for blockages between the fuel tank, EVAP canister purge valve and engine intake manifold. Check obstructions in the EVAP canister purge valve diaphragm and ports.
Suggest you buy a repair manual if you want to try an fix yourself .Or Go to ford web site Ford Oem1stop com an pay 29 bucks for 72 hours for repair info . Or take it to a qualified repair shop an have it smoke tested . Or goolge purge valve for a pic. an see if you can find it under the hood .

P0708 : Transmission Range Sensor Circuit High Input
P1443 : Evaporative Emission Control System Vacuum System - Purge Control Solenoid or Purge Control Valve fault. Loose or defective gas cap will cause this code. Good luck

It likely has overdrive. Which means it has a AOD transmission. The AOD doesn't have a modulator.

Here is a system overview. The low side port is #5 in the picture. Hopw it helps ya.. Cobra


Item Part Number Description 1 19972 A/C Compressor to Condenser Discharge Line 2 19E762 A/C Charge Port Valve(High Side) 3 19D594 A/C Pressure Cut-Off Switch 4 19D742 Evaporator to Compressor Suction Line 5 19E762 A/C Charge Port Valve(Low Side) 6 19E561 A/C Cycling Switch 7 19860 A/C Evaporator Core 8 19C836 Suction Accumulator/Drier 9 19835 Condenser to Evaporator Tube 10 19D734 A/C Manifold and Tube 11 19703 A/C Compressor 12 19712 A/C Condenser Core

its located on the rear of the transmission on the passenger side.it may have a metal shield that may make it a litte hard to remove. it will take a 1/2 socket to remove it also a drain pan to catch trans fluid.

This may be your problem.


FORD: 1994-96 THUNDERBIRD LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1994-96 COUGAR ISSUE: Steering efforts at low speeds may intermittently increase to the heavier for highway setting on some vehicles. This is due to electrical "noise" from the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) being picked up by the Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO) module. The EVO module then interprets this as an increase in vehicle speed and reduces the steering assistance to the heavier for highway level.
ACTION: Replace the EVO module with a new module that has improved filtering for electrical noise. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE Replace EVO module (F6SZ-3F712-BB). Locations are as follows:

• On 1994-95 vehicles, the EVO module is located under the package tray in the trunk.
• On 1996 vehicles, the EVO is located under the heater blower case on the passenger side.

Refer to Section 11-02 of the appropriate year Thunderbird/Cougar Service Manual for additional diagnosis and repair information.

PART NUMBER PART NAME F6SZ-3F712-BB Electronic Variable Orifice Module OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME 960402A Replace Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO) Module - 1994-95 Thunderbird/Cougar 0.5 Hr. 960402B Replace Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO) Module - 1996 Thunderbird/Cougar 0.3 Hr.

1997 Ford Thunderbird Transmission problem
When driving normally transmission surges like it is not in gear. Had sensors replaced, nitural safety switch, and still acts up.