Lately when I've been manually putting my trans into second or first it won't engage the gear, until I get on the gas. This is in first and second only. My trans fluid was reading full month or so ago. I was told low fluid wouldn't cause this problem anyway by my no-it-all-dad. Anybody have exp. w/ a problem like this? Could it be my cable came un-adjusted, it's a brand new GM shifter cable.

 

Well I am assuming that the trans seems to work fine when you just put it into drive or OD. Also I see you have modified you engine quite a bit. Did you put in a new Tq convertor? If it has a higher stall it shouldn't really move much until you get on it (depending on set stall speed).

As far as the car being low on fluid I would suppose it is quite possible. I was a quart low because of a gasket leak and when I put the car in reverse it would hardly move even with the engine at higher RPM ~3000.

So the first thing I would do is check you fluid level, then go from there.

I suppose there could be other mechanical reason for it, I just don't know enough about auto trannies to know what they are.

Later,
Chris

Edit: - I just read your sig again and see the 3k stall speed, just how high are the RPMs before the gear seems to engage

 

I checked the trans fluid and it's dirty as heck but full none-the-less. I talked to a couple of tech guys as the local Chevy dealership and they told me it sounded like a couple of my valve-bodies were stuck open or shut. That's why my trans won't go into 2nd of 1st when I downshift manually. The trans is also shifting my weaker that when it was new. I can't believe this witho less than 20k miles, especially since it's a Coan. If I need a new trans., where should I look? The Pro-built ones look nice as well as the Hughs brand. What are you guys running?