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1990 Won't Shift into Overdrive

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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 03:28 PM
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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
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 04:50 PM
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Did you tweak the TV cable?
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 05:00 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 06:53 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 04:01 AM
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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 ?
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 05:28 AM
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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 ?
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 06:47 AM
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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.
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 06:49 AM
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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.
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 07:58 AM
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Ditch the Haynes and get the correct Factory Service Manual (FSM) for your Corvette off Ebay. You'll thank us later.
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 10:36 AM
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You knocked the brake switch out of adjustment.
Simple fix.
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 10:45 AM
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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.

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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 01:31 PM
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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 .
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 03:10 PM
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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 .
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