91 Transmission Problems (L98) Please Help

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Dec 24, 2003 | 12:13 PM

Dixie91

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From: Montevallo AL

91 Transmission Problems (L98) Please Help

Hoping someone could offer advice. My 91 does not want to shift into 2nd on upshift. Tach goes high with whining sound coming from transmission. My tranny had been doing fine with no slippage at all. Out of the blue it started doing this. It was not a situation where gears were slipping prior to the problem. Boom, it decided it would not work. Is there anything I can check out before getting the vaseline out and going to a transmission shop. Thanks a bunch and merry christmas to all you vette fans. :confused:

Dec 24, 2003 | 01:12 PM

Steel Blue 91

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From: Alive and well in Burlington NC

Re: 91 Transmission Problems (L98) Please Help (Dixie91)

Have you had work done on the throttle body or linkage? You might (repeat, might) just need the TV cable adjusted. I'd try that first. It would be the simple thing to try.

Dec 24, 2003 | 01:22 PM

CFI-EFI

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From: The Top of Utah

Re: 91 Transmission Problems (L98) Please Help (Dixie91)

You can check and adjust the TV cable, as suggested. Check the fluid. And even change the fluid and filter. However, usually by the time a 700R4 starts to exhibit problems, it's too late. You might save a few bucks by not changing the fluid and filter, and go straight for the vasoline. Good luck, and...

RACE ON!!!

Dec 24, 2003 | 01:45 PM

Dixie91

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From: Montevallo AL

Re: 91 Transmission Problems (Steel Blue 91)

Thanks Steel Blue. The only thing I have done to the throttle body is to add an air foil and power tower. This did require the throttle lever bracket to be moved forward about an inch or so. I did this several months ago and did not have any problems after adding them. Just got in it the other day and up jumped the devil!! I started having this problem. It will go into gear (overdrive) but when I go to accelerate it seems to wanna stay in overdrive. Revs real high and I have to back off it to get it to shift. However, it seems to shift after backing off but has very little power. I'm afraid to get down on to force it to shift since it wants to rev so high. I have always fixed my own vettes over the years, but believe it or not, this is the first time I have ever had a tranny problem (guess I've been lucky!). I know very little about transmissions other than to be prepared to get a F*&#@^g at the shop. I have not adjusted the TV cable. Does this cable normally go out of adjustment? Fluid is nice and red and does not smell burnt. I have not changed the filter though.

Dec 24, 2003 | 02:13 PM

94 Red Roadster

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From: Warren NJ

Re: 91 Transmission Problems (Dixie91)

I'm very sympathetic. In October, the driving shell in my transmission fractured and the broken parts ruined my transmission. I went from a tiny amount of slippage to undrivable in about 30 miles. I had to replace the transmission at Aamco, $2400, no complaints about how they treated me other than the cost. The only thing I regret is that I dropped $2400 to replace the tranny with an equal. I really gained nothing. I later found that there are shops which will replace the guts of your tranny and make it "bulletproof" with incredibly firm shifts for $3500 - $4000. A little more but at least you get an upgrade. The shop in my area is Levelten. http://www.levelten.com I wish I had gone the upgrade route. My advise is not rush it if you don"t have to and really check out all your options. I rushed into the cheapest solution and I regret it. PS The new tranny is just fine but I would have been able to live with the expense much easier if I got an upgrade. To drop that much coin is really painful.

Dec 24, 2003 | 02:36 PM

ENGINE TROOP

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From: Spring Lake NC

Re: 91 Transmission Problems (L98) Please Help (Dixie91)

I had the same story a fiew months ago. I let her sit in the drive way for about 4 months until I finaly went with a bulletproof unit from bowtie overdrives. From broke to better than ever cost me about 15oo. this is only because I will not allow any one else to work on my vehicles. If you feel that you need a new trany, check out 700R4.com. they have alot of usefull info and you might find something you like.

Dec 24, 2003 | 03:18 PM

65Z01

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From: SE NY

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Re: 91 Transmission Problems (L98) Please Help (Dixie91)

To adjust the TV cable, depress the tang and move the head a few clicks toward the firewall. Then depress the throttle to WOT positions; this will set the TV cable head.

If you need tranny work look for a reliable performance shop, like through word of mouth at a local drag strip. Avoid the chain stores unless you hear very good things about a particular one.

I had my A4 rebuilt with a high-output pump and other "goodies", a 2,000rpm TC installed and a TransGo shift kit installed for ~$1,400 by a very good shop in CT; the basic tranny work alone was only $950. I heard about this shop through some buddies on this Forum and at the local strip.

Dec 25, 2003 | 04:06 PM

Bruthish

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From: New Albany IN

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09

Re: 91 Transmission Problems (65Z01)

From the sound of it...it does sound like the TV cable is out of adjustment. There is the remote possibility that it jumped out of position and that can cause it to not want to shift at the right time. Unfortunately, if the cable has been out of adjustment for too long, it may have caused more fatal problems. I am by no means a tranny expert, but I took the challenge of rebuilding mine myself. It cost WAY less than taking it to a shop and I was able to upgrade most parts with hi-perf ones and a higher stall converter. It runs and drives great and I learned something new. It's not for everyone....but I can say "I" did it and now I am not afraid to fix anything on my vette.