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Hello everyone! I must say that I have been enjoying the information on my 1993 6 speed C4 that I bought three weeks ago. It’s a gorgeous Black/beige convertible with 73,000 kms or 45,000 miles.
I read about the “1-4 lockout” a couple of days after I got the car home, and I have tried to shift from 1st to 2nd with stronger acceleration (higher RPM’s) and it sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t, and I was met with that dreaded grinding sound, and the inability to shift into 2nd-like it was “locked out.” 🙄
The 1-4 light does not come on at all and I’m wondering if the previous owners had it disconnected or had the skip shift kit installed.
How and where do I see it, if that is the case?
And, is it bad to start from a stop in 2nd gear?
I LOVE this car and have wanted one for 25 years and don’t want to damage her!
I apologize if this thread has been beaten to death!
Any help is appreciated!!
Drummerneil
Last edited by Drummerneil; Jul 14, 2021 at 08:41 AM.
Hello everyone! I must say that I have been enjoying the information on my 1993 6 speed C4 that I bought three weeks ago. It’s a gorgeous Black/beige convertible with 73,000 kms or 45,000 miles.
I read about the “1-4 lockout” a couple of days after I got the car home, and I have tried to shift from 1st to 2nd with stronger acceleration (higher RPM’s) and it sometimes worked and sometimes didn’t, and I was met with that dreaded grinding sound, and the inability to shift into 2nd-like it was “locked out.” 🙄
The 1-4 light does not come on at all and I’m wondering if the previous owners had it disconnected or had the skip shift kit installed.
How and where do I see it, if that is the case?
And, is it bad to start from a stop in 2nd gear?
I LOVE this car and have wanted one for 25 years and don’t want to damage her!
I apologize if this thread has been beaten to death!
Any help is appreciated!!
Drummerneil
If they installed the skip shift kit you shouldn't have any problem at all going into 2nd. The lockout of 2nd normally happens when driving moderately, like driving in town from stop light to stop light. The light only happens right when it is interfering with your shift, so it is easy to miss. If you can get underneath the car it is easy to see if a kit has been installed (actually, you don't need to install a kit, just disconnect the right wire at the tranny). If I were you I would buy a kit (they are cheap) and see if it fixes your problem. If you have problems getting underneath you can take it to an oil change place and give them 5 or 10 bucks to hook it up.
If they installed the skip shift kit you shouldn't have any problem at all going into 2nd. The lockout of 2nd normally happens when driving moderately, like driving in town from stop light to stop light. The light only happens right when it is interfering with your shift, so it is easy to miss. If you can get underneath the car it is easy to see if a kit has been installed (actually, you don't need to install a kit, just disconnect the right wire at the tranny). If I were you I would buy a kit (they are cheap) and see if it fixes your problem. If you have problems getting underneath you can take it to an oil change place and give them 5 or 10 bucks to hook it up.
Thank you so much for the reply!
I have an oil change booked for Monday and will have them look at it to see if it’s disconnected. In your opinion is it ok for now to start off in 2nd? I get off the clutch ASAP. it is an inexpensive part too, yes, and will install if it isn’t there already.
I find it strange that I haven’t seen the light at all….
I have driven many years of standard transmissions but this is definitely strange to shift to 4th and then back down.
Under normal conditions you should not grind ever 1to4 connected or Not. Previous Owner may have been a bit rough on second so you may have a synchronizer problem and you seem to be a Manual oriented driver.
. So since you booked a service you may want to add a trans oil service (may want to research on putting something like Royal Purple or amsoil type of oil) and a look at all fluids and components since the car it new to you.
. Many have stated that the above help greatly, I never used them in my corvette but in my Harley it made a world of difference
Great information, everyone!
I’m getting the engine and tranny oil changed and they will have a look to see if the 1-4 wire has been disconnected!
Thank you for your input!
Unless you know that the ZF has been serviced you definitely want to consider getting it done 'soon'. If the previous owner had information regarding transmission service it would be good information to have. Do the scheduled oil change BUT DO NOT schedule the trans service at the same time!! DO NOT!!! You might ask that the shop check the fill and drain plugs for condition and if maybe they feel easily removed. Just ask!
Checking for 1-4/CAGS should be an easy visibility confirmation. This is a snapshot of a ZF CAGS solenoid and the pigtail still connected correctly but NOT WIRED/Connected for operation. If the pigtail isn't connected CAGS is 'defeated', if there's something inserted into the connector and there's 'no wires' it could be considered also to be 'defeated'..
You don't mention your location but if there's VW dealers in your area you might consider buying a fill and drain plug for your future ZF service. This is correct VW information for plugs. You need 2 to be 'prepared' for the future transmission service.
WHT-001-937 from your local VW dealer. Make sure you mention hex 'socket', VW changed to a later design which require a specific tool. Right now if it's HEX you need M17.
I’m wondering why it’s a bad idea to change both of the fluids at the same time?
I will try and ask about the past service but the car was bought from a friend who passed away pretty quickly after a cancer diagnosis and I’m not sure if they kept any of the maintenance records.
I’m wondering why it’s a bad idea to change both of the fluids at the same time?
I will try and ask about the past service but the car was bought from a friend who passed away pretty quickly after a cancer diagnosis and I’m not sure if they kept any of the maintenance records.
Many thanks!!!
The drain & fill plugs give most people a very bad 1st time experience!! Discuss it first I'd say as I suggested! Definitely 'discuss' prior to tying up the shop's lift, your car and 'lots of possible' complications. It could turn into a 'very bad experience' if you and the shop aren't both prepared well in advance!
Are you bringing the car to a shop that is experienced in working on C4s? That is why people are bringing up the issue of changing the transmission fluid. Do they have the correct metric hex wrench to remove the fill and drain plugs? Do they know to remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug? Too many people have drained the transmission only to find the fill plug is seized and new fluid can not be added. Will they use a high quality fluid designed for the ZF transmission?
Just questions to ask so you are not facing a costly rebuild.
I believe the most important consideration you need give for the oil change appointment/service is to ask that all fluids be checked to include the 'clutch master' which is actually below the ECM. Low fluid or hydraulic issues could also be responsible for things you mention regarding shifting etc. Do you have an 'Owners Manual'?
This link should take you to a '93 Owners Manual. If it doesn't you DO NOT NEED TO ESATBLISH AN ACCOUNT TO GET IT! You need to actually just select year, brand and model. '93 I believe is the earliest year that the GM Owners Manual was made available in .pdf direct from GM.
Are you bringing the car to a shop that is experienced in working on C4s? That is why people are bringing up the issue of changing the transmission fluid. Do they have the correct metric hex wrench to remove the fill and drain plugs? Do they know to remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug? Too many people have drained the transmission only to find the fill plug is seized and new fluid can not be added. Will they use a high quality fluid designed for the ZF transmission?
Just questions to ask so you are not facing a costly rebuild.
Wow, I appreciate that. I was planning on just doing an oil change at a local shop we trust; it had not been done when safetied (totally forgotten by the previous friends/owners and me) and then the idea of a transmission fluid change was brought up and it makes me question about whether or not I should just take it to a GM/Vette dealer.
The car was babied and always stored indoors and had regular services.
I drove her this am and noticed it went into 2nd with no problems, but the engine was cool. Does the CAGS kick in when the oil reaches a certain temperature according to the manual?
Again, thank you to everyone!
Drummerneil
Last edited by Drummerneil; Jul 14, 2021 at 01:17 PM.
Well I took the car out today just to see if I can sort out what is happening with the CAGS thing, and I DID see the “one to four” light come on, but I just powered through it and shifted nicely into 2nd...
I think it was also me pulling the shifter too far to the right and it not going into 2nd nicely.
Thank you to everyone for all your help! This is a great forum!
Under normal conditions you should not grind ever 1to4 connected or Not. Previous Owner may have been a bit rough on second so you may have a synchronizer problem and you seem to be a Manual oriented driver.
. So since you booked a service you may want to add a trans oil service (may want to research on putting something like Royal Purple or amsoil type of oil) and a look at all fluids and components since the car it new to you.
. Many have stated that the above help greatly, I never used them in my corvette but in my Harley it made a world of difference
I meant to mention the grinding. I agree with s carter about that.
Hello everyone! New member here-C4 question!
