usmilret

Gentlemen I am looking as to why my 1982 C3 will not shift into overdrive. I believe its electrical. Please Help.

MelWff

Your car has a 4 speed automatic with a lockup torque converter. To better understand your question what leads you to believe that it is not going into fourth gear or that the torque converter is not locking?

usmilret

The transmission is a 3 speed automatic with a lockup torque converter. The engine over revs in third gear.

usmilret

Question: if there are three manual gear ranges how can it be a four speed?

RockyL32

1982 should have a 700R4 automatic. What rpm are you turning at 60

usmilret

This is a 700R4 Transmission and original to the car. On another note the brake lights to not come on. I am thinking the rear light brake switch and the Torque Converter Lock Brake Circuit have something to do with each other.
As for the answer on how high the revs are going at 60? Probably around 4000.

MelWff

The 700r4 is a 4 speed automatic. Since you also mention other electrical issues, brake lights, have you checked the fuse block for a blown fuse? The other thing to check is the shift cable on the throttle linkage. Below is one of many links concerning the cable adjustment.
http://www.cpttransmission.com/tech_tvcable.htm

usmilret

MelWff thank you for the input. I found several fuses that were blown. One for the brake switch.
The Torque Converter Lock Brake Circuit Was not correctly in place. I found a retainer nut and refastened it. Tomorrow I will see if the OD is engaging. I am crossing my fingers.

I know an OD system should have a brake light stop switch interrupter otherwise your engine would probable bog when you step on the brake and come to a stop. This type of OD is a mechanical lockup at the torque converter.

'75

The 4th gear (overdrive) is not electrical, only the lock up. If it's not shifting to 4th, it's not an electrical issue. However if it is shifting to 4th and just not locking the torque converter, that's another issue.

usmilret

Then I can assume that 4th gear is not engaging.

Transmission issues
1st to 2nd the shift is late, very late and accelerator pedal must go all the way down for this shift.
2nd to 3rd the shift is very soft, almost imperceptible.
3rd to 4th is non existent.

'75 Thank you for your help.

usmilret

Took her out for a test drive and the transmission now shifts normal and at the correct engine RPM and vehicle speed.

Mechanical lockup within the torque converter behaves at it should.

MelWff

Is this car a recent purchase? good to hear you resolved your issue.

usmilret

I actually acquired this car through a co-worker. His wife wanted it gone. He did as well.

There are many more issues to resolve, many.
I have to track down why the horn does not work. Voltage gauge does not work although the voltage idiot light does. Alternator is putting out voltage.
Everything is a fight when it comes to working on a C3.
The build sheet is still on the fuel tank

RockyL32

In 1982 the transmission was an automatic four speed but you could not manually shift down into first gear indicator started at 2 and went up to Drive. Some people modified there shifter by filing in a lower indentation to get it manually into first.