6 Speed CAGS
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 738
Likes: 67
From: Wichita Kansas
FedEx Bowl 4 St. Jude '09
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
6 Speed CAGS
Qucik Question about the CAGS system, The car is pretty much original with 106,000 miles. I have not unhooked the CAGS but I am considering it. When the light comes on and you do not notice it in time, I try to shift but cannot pull the gear shift from first gear, I usually end up doing a little grinding... Is this normal, I was under the impression it would allow you to shift into fourth but I cannot even get mine out of 1st gear if the light is on.
Thanks
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: Westminster MD
Re: 6 Speed CAGS (Jstockton)
Suggest getting the clutch cylinders checked out. Sounds to me like the clutch may need to be bled or you have a leaking cylinder that's causing it to not-quite release completely.
Sure you're pusing the pedal all the way to the floor as well? It's easy not to..
Sure you're pusing the pedal all the way to the floor as well? It's easy not to..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 738
Likes: 67
From: Wichita Kansas
FedEx Bowl 4 St. Jude '09
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Re: 6 Speed CAGS (TravisD)
I do not usually go all the way to the floor, This could be part of it. Also I am thinking I am starting to have some sort of clutch/tranny problems. I had previously read in the forum everyone was changing the fluid in the 6-speed, I also have noticed they sell a Filter and gasket for some 4+3’s overdrive units but I am assuming this is not the case for a 94? Would changing the manual trans fluid help this out, Also there is no noticeable leaks under the car. So could it need to be bleed if no work has been done to the car or it is not leaking? Basically is this routine maintenance?
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Florida
Re: 6 Speed CAGS (Jstockton)
There is a post in the archives that indicates that although GM has no recommended fluid change interval for the ZF6, the manfacturer recommends changing it something like every 30k. Got to admit there's a big difference between 30k and NEVER. Being that GM is in the service business, too, I decided to change mine. What came out was definitely not the 5w30 stuff GM specs, in the 10k since I put the right stuff in, shifts have become smoother, there's less gear whine, and the shift lever doesn't get at all warm even after hours of driving (used to be warm to the touch). Guys who work theirs hard change it once a year, I'm planning on following that regimen.
Regarding CAGS, getting rid of it may be the best approach, I've learned to work around it and I like that it makes friends/relatives/girlfriend hesitant to drive it. On mine, if you are at all tentative about the shift, it'll bounce off the 2nd gear gate and ding 1st. A forceful pull puts it in 4th every time. Try blipping the throttle out of first, it should drop right into 2nd.
Regarding CAGS, getting rid of it may be the best approach, I've learned to work around it and I like that it makes friends/relatives/girlfriend hesitant to drive it. On mine, if you are at all tentative about the shift, it'll bounce off the 2nd gear gate and ding 1st. A forceful pull puts it in 4th every time. Try blipping the throttle out of first, it should drop right into 2nd.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 14
From: Vacaville, CA
Re: 6 Speed CAGS (Jstockton)
The CAGS "Skip-Shift" kit is only a two-piece dust cover. I'd just disconnect the plug and run it around the block to see how you like it. (Don't make the mistake I made by trying to disconnect the plug on top of the transmission. The plug is almost on the bottom of the tranny!). If you like it disconnected, like most do, order the kit!!! Problem solved! :D
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: New Albany In
Re: 6 Speed CAGS (Jstockton)
Mine did not want to come out of first either regardless of whether i depressed it fully or not, rather embarrasing at times. Disconnected CAGS, have not missed a shift since. :yesnod:
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 72
Likes: 1
From: Baltimore MD
Re: 6 Speed CAGS (Jstockton)
Sounds like I'm in a similar boat - '94 6-speed with CAGS still connected. Actually, I intend on axing it as soon as I get a chance. With regard to your concerns, I'd say they sound normal. CAGS sucks to begin with, but the first year I owned the car I was convinced it didn't even work as advertised (same probs as you). My advice is if you want to shift with it when it engages, you need to pull diagonally to 4th directly. The normal shift pattern doesn't apply when CAGS engages (can't go to neutral). That seems to work. ...or put in the clutch in and hit the throttle to make the light go out and shift where you want to.
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 738
Likes: 67
From: Wichita Kansas
FedEx Bowl 4 St. Jude '09
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Re: 6 Speed CAGS (Jstockton)
I have played with the car all weekend after alot of people left me advice. And I must say thanks for all the help. I found that when the light comes on and I push the clutch all the way to the floor and i must stress all the way to the floor then pull fimly out of first the selector pops over into to fourth, kinda a diaganal pull. I was doing two things wrong before, not going all the way to the floor and not pulling hard enough on the gear shift causing the selector to pop back into first and grind the gears Ouch!!
Thanks for all your help I was thinking I was going crazy
Thanks for all your help I was thinking I was going crazy
