Trans problem

[ApeKing]

Got my truck home, FINALY! Drove it around a little Sunday and to work on Monday. Problem started when I was ALMOST home. I was accelerating when all of a sudden it wouldnt shift into 3rd anymore. Reverse feels kind of shakey as well but primarily it wont shift into 3rd. First I thought the vacc line had come off but it is connected on both ends.


Any advice?

[chucks1967]

what does the trans fluid look like. Does it smell burnt' did you check the level of the fluid. did the detent cable slip? did the modulator valve go bad. Lots of places to start. but all cheep and easy to check. I would also look at the linkage. make sure the selector is putting it into drive and not 2nd. Sometimes the linkage gets sloppy.

[ApeKing]

Selecator is fine because if I bump up it goes into neutral. The vaccum line is on the modulator, it didnt blow off I mean. The cable appears to be fine but I will investigate that further when I get home today. Fluid level and appearance is good.

[chucks1967]

Originally Posted by ApeKing

Selecator is fine because if I bump up it goes into neutral. The vaccum line is on the modulator, it didnt blow off I mean. The cable appears to be fine but I will investigate that further when I get home today. Fluid level and appearance is good.

try changing gears manually from 1-3 wait till you have a good rpm on the truck in 2nd say around 3500 on a mild acceleration then change into 3rd, see if it drops down.

[ApeKing]

Ill try that again this afternoon. It didnt work yesterday

[Captainfab]

You might look at the filter. It could be plugged up if it hasn't been changed in a while.

[protrash64]

If this is an auto 3 speed....like T400, you are losing the clutches. Reverse and drive are shared gears. Ask me how I know.

[chucks1967]

Originally Posted by protrash64

If this is an auto 3 speed....like T400, you are losing the clutches. Reverse and drive are shared gears. Ask me how I know.

Ill take the bait! How do you know?

[protrash64]

.......'90 SS454.

[ApeKing]

Not all the problems are solved but the no high gear is. The detent cable was stuck INSIDE the tranmission.We got it unstuck but I left it disconnected at the trans until I get a new cable. Seems the cable is hanging on the plastic sheath it slides in. The trans still needs work though. Second slips a bit and the linkage is sloppy as hell. Thanks for everyone that offered advice.

[chucks1967]

Originally Posted by chucks1967

what does the trans fluid look like. Does it smell burnt' did you check the level of the fluid. did the detent cable slip? did the modulator valve go bad. Lots of places to start. but all cheep and easy to check. I would also look at the linkage. make sure the selector is putting it into drive and not 2nd. Sometimes the linkage gets sloppy.

I CALLED IT!!! wow that don't happen often.. Im glad you got most of it figured out. Good luck with it.