I have a few questions about a problem I experienced today. When I got in the car first thing this morning, it wouldn't shift out of 1st gear. I got to about 35 miles an hour, than let off to turn around and bring it back home. As I let off, it suddenly shifted. So I decided to experiment a few more times from a dead stop. With each run, the shifting got better, until it was finally normal by the 5th or 6th run. I parked the car for a couple of hours than tried again. The 1st run it shifted late, but not as bad as earlier in the morning. This time only took 3 runs to be perfectly normal.
Does something sticking in the valve body cause this, or could it be something else? The trans was rebuilt 2 years/21,000 miles ago, when it blew apart the planetary gear(s). It was rebuilt, but after looking through the archives here I realize that the only they might have touched was what was actually wrong. But isn't the valve body usually cleaned regardless?
Next question. If it IS something sticking, what is the best additive to use? I looked down at the local parts store and it seemed everything was to stop leaks. Seafoam was the only one that said it didn't address leaks, but removed varnish and sludge.
Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. I'm just hoping another rebuild isn't in the near future :mad

BTW it's an '86 700R4 if it makes a difference.


[Modified by flyersfan1088, 4:41 PM 3/7/2004]

 

Well, hopefully someone will check an 86 service manual as I don't have one.

Until a reliable response shows up, here's my .02.

First, I hope they cleaned the valve body. They should have.

Sounds temperature related, possibly varnish build up, and the valve body is my leading supsect. Consider changing the fluid and filter. If you get industrious, can tolerate a mess, change the filter, and flush out and replace fluid. Shops can flush this system, usually for under $125. In your case, I would go for the package deal, change the filter, fluid flush road test, etc. Are you still in good standing with the transmission shop. If you trust their work, go back and talk to em. Also, head for Valvoline.com and check for any transmission flush treatments.

Good luck with this repair. Let us know.

dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks

 

I remember having this problem after I had my front seal replaced. Continued for a couple days.

You know the throttle cables from the tranny lead to the TB, mine were binding and the throttle was 'kinda' sticking. The cables have a little holder on one side of the plenum and the cables werent put back together just right, so I unhooked them from that holder and voila, problem solved as soon as i got in the car.

id check the cables and linkage, might need adjustment.

I dont know if yours is this problem, if its not that, its internal.


[Modified by vader86, 7:35 AM 3/8/2004]