I'm new to the 3rd gen world. I just bought an 85 T/A , 305 TPI, 700r4. As far as I know its bone stock. It has @ 140K miles on it, but runs and sounds strong. The prior owner let it sit in storage for @ 8 months and then tried to drive it, trans gave him problems, so it again sat for 6 months until i got it. He says that before letting it sit the first time, it had no know trans problems. I checked the fluid, still red but does smell a little burnt. This maybe from when he did try and drive it after sitting. He says that it will shift from 1st to 2nd but not from 2-3 and 3-od. He also says that when it comes down from 2nd to 1st it slams into 1 st. With the car sitting in park and running, it doesn't make any strange noises. Could this just be something hung up from sitting so long?
I planned to take the pan down, take the valve body off, clean it, new filter, new fluids, check the tv cable. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advace, Tim

 

Watch the TV cable, if it is not properly adjusted it will definately give you problems such as those you have mentioned. It doesn't take but a couple of clicks on the cable to give you some real driveabilty problems. I would change the fluid and filter, then get the proper settings for your trans for the TV cable and go from there. If in doubt about the settings, contact a reputable trans shop and ask them about the adjustment settings. Don't drive it until you get this right or you'll burn the trans up in a hurry.
good lick.

 

The TV cable is an easy adjustment.

Press the button on the TV cable then grab the cable casing and slid it back as far as you can towards the firewall.

With the car off, press the gas pedal as far as you can, the cable should automatically adjust itself to the proper tension. When it adjusts it will make a ratchting noise.

 

I just read in the Haynes manual that you press the button and shove the cable as far forward as possible, then press the gas pedal. Which way is right? Not that I preach that Haynes is right!!

 

Update on trans problem. It took 4 quarts of fluid, now its back alive.. What a dumb**s. It still needs the tv cable adjusted. I did it according to the haynes manual, but on the post below, it is said to be done different. Which one?

 

If you shove it forward, towards the nose of the car you will not get any adjustment of the TV because it will already be fully extended.

Think about it this way. When you press the gas which way does the cable move? Towards the nose, or the firewall?

To the nose, so by pushing the cable all the way to the nose of the car you can't adjust it with the throttle cable.

However, if you slide the cable to the firewall, THEN press the gas as far as possible it will ratchet itself to the proper tension.

We even have an article describing the procedure on this site.
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/detent.shtml