Hard to Shift Auto Into First Gear
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 5
Hard to Shift Auto Into First Gear
Hey everyone. I went for a little drive today and decided to manually go thru the gears of my auto tranny. The thing I noticed was that I had to bring the shifter firmly into first gear and use my hand to hold it there otherwise it would pop back to 2nd. I'm not too worried since I'll probably never use the first gear anyways but I was wondering if anyone else has this problem, what causes this, and is there anything wrong with my tranny. Like I said, I probably won't ever need to use 1st but was just curious. Thanks, Ed
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
What I found is that the shifter boot bunches up and prevents the lever from going all the way back into 1st. Not much you can do about except pull up on the boot so the folds don't get wedged between the shifter lever and the console opening.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
What I found is that the shifter boot bunches up and prevents the lever from going all the way back into 1st.
I installed an after-market boot on my prior '88 and the shifter worked fine. I think the new boot leather was softer, thinner and maybe slightly different shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
I also have found that the cable may need ajusted at the trans. Iv seen this on a few including my own. I also had the bunching issue. Take a look at both. Most of the time the cable just needs adjusted a hair. What I do is block the wheels then put the shifter into 1st then lossen the adjustment at the trans then I manulaay put the trans into 1st then tighten it up. go back in the car and **** thru the gears making sure they drop into the correct gear and esp into part with little effort. It may take a few time to get it right esp if it is the first time you have done it.
