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Automatic Trans Question

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Old Oct 10, 2020 | 04:21 PM
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Default Automatic Trans Question

Hello:

I have a 1982 Corvette with automatic transmission. I purchased it and the shifter cable was bad. I installed the new one and it will shift from park to reverse but will not go to drive. Is there a sensor or a release mechanism that allows the shifter to go to drive? When the cable isn't connected the shifter goes through areas without issue.

FYI - I do see a dash light "break light" on but I am not sure why yet. The master cylinder has break fluid and no leaks from any of the wheels. I know all the wheels are free as I rolled it into the shop.
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Old Oct 10, 2020 | 05:13 PM
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Are you sure you purchased the correct cable?
Does the lever on the transmission move to all gears with the cable disconnected?

Last edited by MelWff; Oct 10, 2020 at 05:14 PM.
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Old Oct 10, 2020 | 05:24 PM
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yes, I compared the two cable before the install. It will shift when disconnected.
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Old Oct 10, 2020 | 05:34 PM
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There are three grounds for the "Brake" light.

When you crank the starter, there is a ground in the ignition switch (this tests the bulb, to prevent false negatives).
When you raise the parking brake, the switch under the parking brake handle releases the plunger and closes the circuit.
If the combination valve detects a pressure imbalance front to rear, the internal plunger will move to that side, blocking the failing brake circuit, and tripping the "Brake" light which grounds through the switch at the top.

So have at it with a multimeter, and see what you find! There are lots of threads on this on the forum. Hopefully it is simply a parking brake switch adjustment.
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Old Oct 11, 2020 | 02:20 PM
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Today I went up and disconnected the shifter cable and moved the mechanism on the side of the transmission through all the gears. Hooked the cable back up and it worked as well. I did this a few times and no issue. Shut the car off and when I went back to shift through the gears later on it goes to reverse and won't go past it. I unhooked the cable again and this time when I tried to move the mechanism on the side of transmission manually it wouldn't go past the first click which is reverse. Any idea what would cause this? I even worked it back and worth to park and reverse to see if it was just a rough spot and it didn't help it.
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Old Oct 17, 2020 | 10:53 PM
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After I pulled the pan to see if roller arm had been over extended and came off the gear. I found chunk in the pan so the previous owner must have broke transmission. I will look for a 1986 or newer 700r4 or 4L60e. It seems the 1982 version had issues.
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