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Shift to four light problem!! Auto Trans??

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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 01:17 PM
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Default Shift to four light problem!! Auto Trans??

I have a 1990 Automatic but when I take off a light comes on that says shift to four. I thought this was only on Manual transmissions? Please help. Thanks in advance.
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 01:25 PM
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Hmmm, mine's never done this? I always drive in 4th gear, maybe that's why? What gear do you start out in?
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 01:26 PM
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Sounds like someone may have swapped in an auto at some point?
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 01:36 PM
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Thanks so far. Can anyone tell me what controls this. Is it the ecm or the prom chip. maybe someone swapped out the computer at some point. An automatic should not be doing this.
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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My 90 has the 700R4 from the factory and I have a "shift up" light. I noticed it when I was on the highway in D3 vs D4.
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 02:16 PM
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So I guess its ok then. Can we disable this by any chance?
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 04:54 PM
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I've never drove in D3, always in D4 and my 90 never lights up!
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by AirForceOne!
I've never drove in D3, always in D4 and my 90 never lights up!
I pretty much always use D3 around town. Above 40mph I go to D4.
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 10:22 PM
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My shift light illuminates when I forget to shift to overdrive when getting on the freeway.
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Corvette40
My shift light illuminates when I forget to shift to overdrive when getting on the freeway.
Same for mine. If I am in 3rd it will give the shift light once your up to speed.
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Old Apr 10, 2013 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by TorchTarga94
Sounds like someone may have swapped in an auto at some point?
Narrow or wide brake pedal?

Of course a clutch pedal and an automatic would be a dead give away
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Old Apr 11, 2013 | 02:46 AM
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The shift light is controlled by the ECM. It turns it on at about 40 MPH. It will turn the shift light on if you're not in OD (4th gear). That applies to 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
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Old Apr 11, 2013 | 12:46 PM
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But it is a automatic transmission and the shift to four light is coming on.
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Old Apr 11, 2013 | 12:47 PM
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Is yours an auto or manual?
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Old Apr 11, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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The shift light is controlled by the ECM. It turns it on at about 40 MPH. It will turn the shift light on if you're not in OD (4th gear). That applies to 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Cliff Harris is talking about an automatic.
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Old Apr 11, 2013 | 07:41 PM
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does it say "shift to four" or "one to four"?
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Old Apr 12, 2013 | 02:31 AM
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The original poster said he has an automatic. That's what I based my reply on.

It appears that someone has replaced his cluster with one from a manual trans car.
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Old Apr 12, 2013 | 01:38 PM
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Auto was disabled in '89. Someone put something else in yours if it's an Auto and lights up.
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