C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

1990 Won't Shift into Overdrive

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 29, 2010 | 03:28 PM
  #1  
TomP.'s Avatar
TomP.
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Avon CT
Default 1990 Won't Shift into Overdrive

I have a 1990 Convertible with a Vin # 8 350 engine with automatic . The car has 57,000 miles and I have had it for two months now . Up until yesterday the transmission was shifting into overdrive at about 42 miles per hour , no problems . I thought I had a bad power brake booster and since I replaced that . The transmission won't shift into overdrive . I don't know if I did something or just a coincidence ? Help
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2010 | 04:50 PM
  #2  
Ape0r's Avatar
Ape0r
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
Default

Did you tweak the TV cable?
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2010 | 05:00 PM
  #3  
TomP.'s Avatar
TomP.
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Avon CT
Default

Originally Posted by Ape0r
Did you tweak the TV cable?
Tell what the TV cable is and I will answer . I had trouble with the cable for the speed control unit , under the brake booster . Ok got out My Haynes Repair Manual . Found the TV cable looks ok to Me . I can pull it out and it returns with the cable stop against the linkage . The transmission shifts through the gears ok , just doesn't go into overdrive . I thought that was controlled by the ECM ?

Last edited by TomP.; Aug 29, 2010 at 05:23 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2010 | 06:53 PM
  #4  
vetteoz's Avatar
vetteoz
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Default

Originally Posted by TomP.
The transmission shifts through the gears ok , just doesn't go into overdrive
Are you confusing O/d ( 4th gear ) with convertor lockup which is controlled by the ECM ?

How many gear changes are you getting?

Originally Posted by TomP.
I thought that was controlled by the ECM ?
Not on a '90 .Gear shifts only controlled by TV cable

Last edited by vetteoz; Aug 29, 2010 at 06:58 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 04:01 AM
  #5  
TomP.'s Avatar
TomP.
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Avon CT
Default

Originally Posted by vetteoz
Are you confusing O/d ( 4th gear ) with convertor lockup which is controlled by the ECM ?


Not on a '90 .Gear shifts only controlled by TV cable
Yes I mean converter lock up , its not happening . The transmission is shifting all four times , but the converter never locks up . The Haynes manual I have shows three wires from the ECM controlling the converter lock up . Does anyone know which wires they are at the ECM ?
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 05:28 AM
  #6  
TomP.'s Avatar
TomP.
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Avon CT
Default

Originally Posted by TomP.
Yes I mean converter lock up , its not happening . The transmission is shifting all four times , but the converter never locks up . The Haynes manual I have shows three wires from the ECM controlling the converter lock up . Does anyone know which wires they are at the ECM ?
New question is My 1990 700r4 transmission overdrive shift controlled by the ECM or manually controlled by the brake light switch and two vacuum switches as shown in the Hayneys manual ?
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 06:47 AM
  #7  
vetteoz's Avatar
vetteoz
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Default

Originally Posted by TomP.
is My transmission overdrive shift controlled by the ECM or manually controlled by the brake light switch and two vacuum switches as shown in the Hayneys manual ?
ECM grounds the power from solenoid to operate the TCC solenoid.
If you put your foot on the brake it cuts the power to trans and TCC disengages
Vac switches are for cruise control release ; seperate system to TCC

Last edited by vetteoz; Aug 30, 2010 at 06:52 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 06:49 AM
  #8  
vetteoz's Avatar
vetteoz
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Default

Originally Posted by TomP.
The Haynes manual I have shows three wires from the ECM controlling the converter lock up . Does anyone know which wires they are at the ECM ?
Actual colors may be different in your '90 but as per circuit diagram
Tan/ blk at ECM is TCC control .( Grounds TCC solenoid wire )
Blue wire is feedback to tell ECM trans is in O/d (4th gear )
Check to see if you have 12V on the purple wire at trans ; key on


Last edited by vetteoz; Aug 30, 2010 at 06:54 AM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 07:58 AM
  #9  
onedef92's Avatar
onedef92
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Default

Ditch the Haynes and get the correct Factory Service Manual (FSM) for your Corvette off Ebay. You'll thank us later.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 10:36 AM
  #10  
Pete K's Avatar
Pete K
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Default

You knocked the brake switch out of adjustment.
Simple fix.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 10:45 AM
  #11  
engle1147's Avatar
engle1147
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Default

Originally Posted by TomP.
I thought I had a bad power brake booster and since I replaced that . The transmission won't shift into overdrive . I don't know if I did something or just a coincidence ? Help

I agree-
Bingo - when you changed the booster out you messed up the gap on the brake switch swipe. Your cruise control shouldn't work either at this point since it use the contacts in the same switch. What you need to do is get the pedal off the brake switch - just becaue the brake lights are not "on" doesn't mean your totally off the switch since there are multiple contacts within that switch.

You might have gotten it just a hair off the gap. Get up to 50 MPH in OD and stay steady on the gas pedal - lift "up" on the brake pedal with your left foot and see if your OD kick in while your holding it up with your foot.

Your going to need to pull the booster to adjust the end play gap or remove the driver side lower knee bolter/hush panel to manually adjust the switch swipe.

Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 01:31 PM
  #12  
TomP.'s Avatar
TomP.
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Avon CT
Default

Originally Posted by vetteoz
Actual colors may be different in your '90 but as per circuit diagram
Tan/ blk at ECM is TCC control .( Grounds TCC solenoid wire )
Blue wire is feedback to tell ECM trans is in O/d (4th gear )
Check to see if you have 12V on the purple wire at trans ; key on

OK Let Me say to all thanks for the help . The wiring diagram is the greatest !! I'm going to go out to the garage and find the problem now . So thanks again for all the help .
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 03:10 PM
  #13  
TomP.'s Avatar
TomP.
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Avon CT
Default

Originally Posted by vetteoz
Actual colors may be different in your '90 but as per circuit diagram
Tan/ blk at ECM is TCC control .( Grounds TCC solenoid wire )
Blue wire is feedback to tell ECM trans is in O/d (4th gear )
Check to see if you have 12V on the purple wire at trans ; key on

OK I found the problem . It was like everyone said and I thought I moved the brake switch for the overdrive lock up . The two brake switches , one for the brake lights and the one for the transmission are mounted on a moveable bracket and mine was loose . I just moved it closer to the brake pedal and tiened it up . Now everything is all set .
I want to THANK ALL AGAIN for all the help !!!!!
I will look into the correct Factory Service Manual for the 1990 Vette as recommended here .
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1990 Won't Shift into Overdrive





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:36 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE