Quick transmission question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: Epfenbach BW
Quick transmission question
Hi,
after a couple of weeks with bad weather we finally had some dry yet cold days where I can give my 88 convertible some excercise.
Don´t like driving it on salty roads so during winter time it only sees the road on dry days.
Temperature was about 18F.
Battery was low so I jumpstarted it and it rides fine so far. But I noticed that, at least while cold, the transmission seemed to stay in 2nd gear all the time with the lever in 2. Normally it would shift in 1st at a complete stop and then go back to 2nd while accererating.
Shifts from 1st to 3rd in 3 and through all 4 gears in OD then locks up as expected. Oil is new and looks fine. Stock TH700R4 trans.
Was it just the cold weather or is there something wrong here ?
Thanks
Benjamin
after a couple of weeks with bad weather we finally had some dry yet cold days where I can give my 88 convertible some excercise.
Don´t like driving it on salty roads so during winter time it only sees the road on dry days.
Temperature was about 18F.
Battery was low so I jumpstarted it and it rides fine so far. But I noticed that, at least while cold, the transmission seemed to stay in 2nd gear all the time with the lever in 2. Normally it would shift in 1st at a complete stop and then go back to 2nd while accererating.
Shifts from 1st to 3rd in 3 and through all 4 gears in OD then locks up as expected. Oil is new and looks fine. Stock TH700R4 trans.
Was it just the cold weather or is there something wrong here ?
Thanks
Benjamin
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
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From: Kingman AZ
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Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
That is not normal. My 91 will shift slower in very cold weather but I do not drive it from Dec to March here in Michigan.
Sounds like it is due for a fluid and filter change. Many here like to use synthetic fluid also.
I did a write up with photos on doing a fluid change using the Gordon Killebrew method. Pretty easy as you don't have to jack the car up. Gordon does not recommend changing the tranny filter though so I did not do that.
Plug in "transmission flush" in the search box above and see if you can find it.
Sounds like it is due for a fluid and filter change. Many here like to use synthetic fluid also.
I did a write up with photos on doing a fluid change using the Gordon Killebrew method. Pretty easy as you don't have to jack the car up. Gordon does not recommend changing the tranny filter though so I did not do that.
Plug in "transmission flush" in the search box above and see if you can find it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Here is the youtube video of Gordon's presentation. Worked great for me. It helps to have another person to start the car and shut it off as you watch the 5-gal bucket that the old fluid is being discharged to.
The other nice thing about this method is that you are also changing all the fluid in the torque converter that a simple drain job does not do.
The other nice thing about this method is that you are also changing all the fluid in the torque converter that a simple drain job does not do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: Epfenbach BW
Thanks for the link.
But the fluid has less than 1000 miles on it and is Valvoline synthetic.
I change the fluid every year.
I will do a test drive tomorrow and see how it acts. Maybe it was just the cold weather.
During wintertime I only drive the car rarely on dry roads.
But the fluid has less than 1000 miles on it and is Valvoline synthetic.
I change the fluid every year.
I will do a test drive tomorrow and see how it acts. Maybe it was just the cold weather.
During wintertime I only drive the car rarely on dry roads.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
From: Epfenbach BW
Problem somehow rectified itself....at least for now.
I did 2 extensive test drives today and even with the lever in 2 it shifted between 1 and 2 as it always did...strange but well at least it works again.
Maybe it was just a sticking governor valve but I wonder why it worked in D and OD.
I did 2 extensive test drives today and even with the lever in 2 it shifted between 1 and 2 as it always did...strange but well at least it works again.
Maybe it was just a sticking governor valve but I wonder why it worked in D and OD.
