patricklav

iTrader: (7)

Just wrapping up my 92 Camaro restoration. Have taken the car for a ride a few times, putting about 12 miles on the fresh rebuild. The other day the car overheated due to the timing being retarded and since then the transmission hasn't been engaging in gear. At first when the car was overheated If I let it sit for 15 minutes I could drive it for 1/2 mile then it would stop again. Once I got it home it wouldn't move at all the next day. I checked the fluid, it was a little low so I topped it off and it still wont engage in gear. Sometimes it makes a whirring sound when trying to put in gear and even in park. It did engage once and went in reverse but when I went to put in drive it wouldn't engage again.

Anybody have an idea on what's causing this? It sounded and ran fine for the first 12 miles I put on it. I cant speak to the integrity of the transmission as I bought it off someone. It is "supposed" to be rebuilt.

thanks

paulo57509

Obviously the transmission is suspect regardless of what the seller claimed.

Did you do anything to the transmission before you installed it?

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

no, I filled it with fluid then installed it. that was some time ago as I was finishing up my build.

What are typical causes of the transmission not engaging?

thanks

paulo57509

1. Transmission with an unknown past.

2. Manual shift cable is out of adjustment.

3. Low or no fluid pressure.

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

I just got under the car to check the transmission part #. Looks like it was made in 86. Could the issue be that this tranny wasn't compatible? I've read the 86 transmission is a dog and has a hydraulic lockup.
Thanks for the help

antoine

I will guess the front pump is gone or torque converter

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

i dropped the pan and didn't see any metal shavings and the atf wasn't burned up. looked very clean.

im confused as to what's wrong with it. It wouldn't go into gear, but occasionally it would slide into gear but once I changed the gear again it would just rev up and not engage.

If the pump was shot would it still occasionally engage in gear?

thanks

jreyes106

Did you ever replace the trans cable? Or the shifter cable? Had the same problem when I took trans. out for rebuilding and after some many hours of frustration an specialist look it over, adjust the transmission's cable and done. I also made the mistake of buying a new shifter cable and was told by the trans. specialist that he had not seen one that measures right, too long or too short; bought a used one and bingo

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

its the stock cable.

Did it happen to you when driving also? when driving down the road it would just start revving up and not enagage?

thanks for the reply

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

I think the tv cable is junk. The D button wont press in unless I use a pair of pliers and it doesn't move much.

Could a faulty tv cable cause all this to happen?

jreyes106

If you ever remove the trans. that tv cable has to be adjusted. The " D" button gets very hard, use a flat screw drive and press real hard o the middle to desengage and adjust the cable. If you can't, any transmission place will be able to adjust in two minutes, they might not even charge you for it, its that simple. Not adjusting right causes the trans. to run in 1st gear or even in pass in gear. If I remember you have to issues: The shifter cable and the the trans. If the shifter cable is not adjust it right you won't be able to fix the tv cable.
It sounds very complicated but is not once you do the right things. When you replied just tell me if you messed with the shifter cable first.

naf

iTrader: (7)

86 transmission is not your problem.

http://www.tvmadeez.com/

Read, learn and execute the above.

A mis-adjusted TV cable won't make it go out of gear but will cause premature failure.

Disconnect the shift cable and manually put it into drive at the trans lever. See if that works. If it does, you know it's the shift cable or its adjustment.

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the reply guys. Its greatly appreciated!

The shifter linkage was not activating properly so I fixed that and that problem is solved.

She runs and drives but its not shifting 100%. I cant get it to rev up past 3500 and it will shift prematurely. It also downshifts awkwardly but not terribly. I would say the tv cable is out of adjustment but not terribly off.

I am going to try the method from tvmadeeez and see if it works.

So I know, does the premature shifting typically mean the tv cable is too short or too long?

thanks again

kenney001

iTrader: (1)

[If the ratchet is adjusted too far (cable is too short) it thinks you are giving it less throttle than you are, and it will up shift early and downshift after much more throttle is applied.

A new cable is $25. Put it in before you drive anywhere!!! driving on a mis-adjusted TV cable will crater a transmission very quickly (within miles)

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

The converter is shot.

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

What makes you think that? Are my cars issues symptoms of a bad converter?

I should also mention the car will surge a little but when doing about 15-20 MLB.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I would have used at least a 89-92 trans.

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

In hindsight, yes I probably should have, but would it have really mattered? The engine is a carbureted 350 with vortec top end and the rear end is an Ls1. The car is a mutt and nothing left of the factory drivetrain so I'm not sure it would have mattered.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

They just have a lil better guts in them.

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

I have my eye out for one now. So, what makes you think I have a converter issue? I haven't heard that before, I thought it was the tv cable adjustment.

Thanks for the help.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

For that reason.

I had one do the same thing, changed the converter and wella!

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

I have to revive this thread (unfortunately). I'm at wits end with this transmission. It has been one thing after another trying to get this thing working properly. I now think it has some major issues and will need replacement but before I rip it out I wanted some insight into what may be its problem.
I have since replaced the tv cable and changed the fluid (again) and it still isn't working properly.

It will go into gear but it will rev up and barely move, this is especially true for reverse as I can rev it up to 4k rpm and it will barely roll and make a shuddering sound. It also makes a clanking sound when I put into gear, like metal on metal contact. I can replicate the sound by pulling the tv cable when the car is idling in park. Sounds like metal clanking against metal until I release the tv cable. If I hook the cable up to the throttle bracket and hit the throttle I don't hear the clanking sound.
I have a pressure gauge inside the car and the readings are inline with what they are supposed to be (75lbs @ idle).

Is this transmission smoked?
What would cause that sound when pulling on the tv cable?

I appreciate the help

jreyes106

Did you ever change the shifter cable, or removed it?

jreyes106

Did you ever change the shifter cable, or removed it?

patricklav

iTrader: (7)

I didn't swap the cable out, only unbolted the mourning bracket from the pan. How could that cause it to rev it up and barely move?

TheMatte78

okay, i dont have a fbody, but this is the one thread that seems prouctive enough to actually help me... i have a 78 c10 with a 350 and a 700r4. its been fine for the past 4 months of owning it but it decided to give out on me on the 4th of July (what a way to celebrate). the dropdown cable that connects to the carburetor had a really shoddy clip on it from the previous owner and it ended up slipping off. my trans just went to first and went into super high rpms, i pulled over and fixed the cable, but then it wouldn't engage into drive at all. so now im at home with a broken truck and no clue what to do. i pulled the pan and there is some metal shavings but its a pretty normal amount, other than that i have no clue what to do or where o start, and i would rther try to do it myself then take it to a trans shop. thanks for any help i can get.