Jump to content

Transmission not shifting correctly and gear selector not exactly lined up


surpra550
 Share

Recommended Posts

Just bought an 88 Starion with AT transmission. It seems to not always start in 1st gear, pretty much feels like second gear starts. OD seems to work on some occasions, and sometimes hangs up in gears under hard accelaration. Tranny is not slipping, it just shifts weird. Sometimes I can jam the shifter down to low 1 and it "might" go in when it wants to. And the gear selector doesn't line up just right either. Thanks for any help in advance! Bill
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Inhibitor Switch on the passenger side of tranny causes the non-start scenario, and the linkage adjustment is needed between the shifter and switch :(

 

Check FSM for procedure.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-N8

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Inhibitor Switch on the passenger side of tranny causes the non-start scenario, and the linkage adjustment is needed between the shifter and switch :(

 

Check FSM for procedure.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-N8

I don't have a non start problem, it is just the way the car shifts basically. I also heard that the coolant temp sensor can effect the way the tranny shifts. Do you know anything about that??? Thanks again!!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I know, the coolant temp sensor has 2 functions (one pin controls the reading on the dash gauge, and one sends a signal to the tranny to control OD only, preventing the car from utilizing OD until it reaches the appropriate temp, pin can be grounded to always have OD.)

 

The reason I mentioned the inhibitor switch is that, I thought by your statement, "It seems to not always start in 1st gear, pretty much feels like second gear starts". Sorry, I must've misread it

 

There is a vacuum controlled actuator located on the drivers side of the tranny, that controls the shifting. There is a small metal pin located inside. When it sees vacuum (from the intake) the diaphragm inside moves the pin in and out controlling the shift pattern during driving. If the actuator is bad, or it's not quite seeing the proper vacuum (leak perhaps) it will create odd shift patterns and sometimes OD may or may not function properly.

 

However, all of that being said, if the shift indicator (in console) isn't reading properly, that will have to be tended to first, or you may end up chasing your tail as far as troubleshooting. But if it were me, I'd check the linkage adjustment first and then check the intake vacuum connection and the Vacuum solenoid to eliminate those two probabilities. More than likely those are you culprits.

 

Hope this helps!

If not, Here is a link to some more info (with some pics) that I found helpful with my "auto" issues

 

-N8

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I know, the coolant temp sensor has 2 functions (one pin controls the reading on the dash gauge, and one sends a signal to the tranny to control OD only, preventing the car from utilizing OD until it reaches the appropriate temp, pin can be grounded to always have OD.)

 

The reason I mentioned the inhibitor switch is that, I thought by your statement, "It seems to not always start in 1st gear, pretty much feels like second gear starts". Sorry, I must've misread it

 

There is a vacuum controlled actuator located on the drivers side of the tranny, that controls the shifting. There is a small metal pin located inside. When it sees vacuum (from the intake) the diaphragm inside moves the pin in and out controlling the shift pattern during driving. If the actuator is bad, or it's not quite seeing the proper vacuum (leak perhaps) it will create odd shift patterns and sometimes OD may or may not function properly.

 

However, all of that being said, if the shift indicator (in console) isn't reading properly, that will have to be tended to first, or you may end up chasing your tail as far as troubleshooting. But if it were me, I'd check the linkage adjustment first and then check the intake vacuum connection and the Vacuum solenoid to eliminate those two probabilities. More than likely those are you culprits.

 

Hope this helps!

If not, Here is a link to some more info (with some pics) that I found helpful with my "auto" issues

 

-N8

Just got it back from the shop........vacuum line is good, CTS is NEW, and we have LOTS of metal shavings in the pan!! My guy says it needs a rebuild. The slack in the actual shifter is just from being worn out. So the question is....rebuild the tranny or find a good used one????
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 9 months later...

the auto shifter linkage changes direction 2 times,, ALL BUSHEINGS must be good and tight, NO slop is allowed any where in the linkage or not being exactly in gear will be the result

to adj the linkage there is a position to pin the shift lever in the selector swt,,this must be locked in place and then the linkage adjusted to fit to gather before removing the pin that locks the lever in place

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...