1 TO 4 SHIFT ???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
1 TO 4 SHIFT ???
I am a new vette owner. In my manual transmission 99 HT vette, there is a light that will turn on for a second when I am starting out in first gear. It says "1 to 4 SHIFT". I looked in the manual but it just didnt make any sense to me. It seems as though it is saying to skip 2nd and 3rd gear and go strait to 4th. But I dont understand why.
Can anyone explain to me what this is about?
Thanks,
The Vette Newbie
Can anyone explain to me what this is about?
Thanks,
The Vette Newbie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: Newport Coast, CA USA
Re: 1 TO 4 SHIFT ??? (TDogg72)
This is a feature that GM includes to keep the Vette from having a gas guzzler tax. Under specific conditions, 1st gear at X miles per hour and anemic pressure on the gas peddle, the C5 will "lock out" 2nd and 3rd gears. You should not attempt to shift to either 2nd or 3rd while that 1 to 4 shift light is on. To mitigate, give a bit more gas and you will be able to shift to 2nd. I have never had any problem with this feature. At first, I thought it was such a ridiculous annoyance; however, you have to drive the car like my grandma in order to have the warning light intervene. Sure fire fix is to get the cheap CAGS eliminator and you will never have to worry about the skip shift light again!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Re: 1 TO 4 SHIFT ??? (TDogg72)
I believe the 1 to 4 shift occurs when you are using less than 35% throttle and try and shift out of 1st between 16 and 19 MPH, IIRC. Whenever the light comes on, I make sure to carry first gear to at least 20 MPH before shifting and the light goes off and I can go to second.
The CAGS eliminator is also an option, but it does not stop the light from going on. It seemed like too much of a hack for me, so I just drive to avoid it.
The CAGS eliminator is also an option, but it does not stop the light from going on. It seemed like too much of a hack for me, so I just drive to avoid it.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
From: Pleasant Hill CA
Re: 1 TO 4 SHIFT ??? (Rand)
Just get the CAGS defeat. It's easy and simple to install. Look at any of the company's here on this site or go to the 'Mall' and buy one.
Will take you 5-10 minutes to get rid of it forever.
The light still comes on as stated, but who gives a crap. :D
[Modified by gbm, 12:21 PM 5/8/2002]
Will take you 5-10 minutes to get rid of it forever.
The light still comes on as stated, but who gives a crap. :D
[Modified by gbm, 12:21 PM 5/8/2002]
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Eldersburg MD
Re: 1 TO 4 SHIFT ??? (TDogg72)
I have pic-by-pic directions on how to install the CAGS device on your C5, check the link below if you're interested. However, you didn't say if your C5 was forcing you to shift to 4th when the light was on. Someone may have already installed the CAGS device in your 99. Next time, keep it in 1st gear and when the light lights up, don't accelerate any faster. Try to shift to 2nd. If it goes in you have CAGS installed.
If the light annoys you, you can twist the bulb out of the back of the dash.
If the light annoys you, you can twist the bulb out of the back of the dash.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,766
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From: Western North Carolina
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: 1 TO 4 SHIFT ??? (TDogg72)
There is a solenoid to keep you from going to 2nd gear. If you try to force it, it can cause internal damage! Get the CAGS eliminator. Then you can shift to any gear when you want . $20 :seeya
