BretD 88GTA

My 700R4 decided to stop shifting this morning until it got good and warm. I'm running an external trans cooler and external filter in addition the factory ones.

Fluid has been changed every 15,000 to 17,000 miles during the 6 years I've owned the car. The car has just about 140,000 miles on it.

My initial thought it was due to the cold weather but I live in California and it's not that cold in the morning. Tom K. has suggested a sticking valve body until the fluid gets warm enough.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

TIA

TomP

What do you mean by "stops shifting"?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

I EAT T/A

Does it have enough fluid in it?

BretD 88GTA

Fluid level is fine.

By "stop shifting" I mean it wouldn't shift out of first gear. I backed out of my driveway, put it in OD and headed down the street. It stayed in first gear for a ways then finally - BANG - into 2nd. 2-3 shift was the same.

Once the trans warmed up really good it began shifting normally. I've been driving the car like crazy since and the tranny is shifting normally like nothing happened.

I'm trying to figure out if this was just some fluke incident or if the trans is getting ready to die.

Cntrvrsy

Mines is basically doing the same thing. After it somewhat starts 2 shift normally, it feels like it's either slipping or stuck and starting off in 2nd gear when I take off from a dead stop.

TomP

Man, I hate that BANG noise...

A sticking valve is a good possibility.. I've heard that the way the valve body is aimed "open" towards the sky, that any metal that falls down from up above will collect in the valve body, and cause valves to stick.

Next time you drop the fluid & filter, try this: Pry the filter apart using pliers or angle-cutters. Take out the filter medium and unfold it (it's folded once in half), check for metal. It's something I do every year since my first trans died, and the rebuilder showed me that trick- talk about a sinking feeling!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

Cntrvrsy

I really hope it's something that simple like a stuck valve or worn out TV cable. I'll be pissed if I have 2 rebuild the trans again. In which case I won't. I'll just switch over 2 a T56.

Project86B4Z

mine does the same thing when cold or first drive of the day it waits til about 4500 to bang outta first gear then to second and third...then finally after about two miles overdrive. It's gotta 8 month old governor in it but the fluid's brown and i have a leaky gasket so i check the fluid level daily with the engine on. Wondering if its safe to flush and change the filters and gaskets though the mileage is unknown...

J91

if your fluid is brown, change it....