Just got done rebuilding my 350. Started her up today and when I went to take her for a drive, I only got first gear. She has an auto 700R4 in her. Gunna check the TV cable tomorrow, but would really like any suggestions anyone can think of. Park, Reverse, and Neutral are all where they should be but for some reason that tranny isn't shifting out of first...any ideas would be a lot a help.

Thanks
-G

 

May be stupid, but did you double check that you have everything plugged in where it needs to go? Maybe the sensor wire that tells the tranny to shift at X rpm got damaged or just isn't plugged in.

 

Possible.... I'll have to double check that tomorrow. I know that the two wire connectors that connect to the tranny were slightly damaged... taped them up, but maybe one of them got pulled out when we tried to fix it.... have check on that

 

Also make sure that the connectors are clean of grease and dirt when you check them. They could be not getting a good connection.

 

have you checked the govenor/gear

 

What govenor/gear? Is this something on the tranny? The engine is an older engine out of an 85 pick-up that does not use ECM..... not sure if that would change any of your suggestions

 

700R4s are not electronic shift. Nothing electrical tells them to shift into the next gear. There is a single electrical connector on the left side of the case that allows the ECM to control the converter lockup.

antoine poined out correctly that what controls the shift, and also shift RPM, in a 700R4 is the governor. There is a dome shaped cover on the left side of the case. You have to pry that cover off with a screwdriver, maybe some hammering; it will be a pain in the @$$. Underneath is the governor. It's a little weight and spring affair with a gear on the end. The gear can become brittle with age and break apart. If the gear is damaged replace it. Also, make sure that the wieghts inside move freely. Silicone the cover before driving it into the case with a punch and hammer around the ring (like driving in a seal).

If the governor is fine the only other thing I can think of that would cause this is something inside the trans. It could be burned up clutches, something wrong in the valvebody, or something else. In my K5 I broke the end off the internal reaction carrier and it only had low and reverse. I was a bit suprised when I tore down the trans and found that. I couldn't believe that it would move at all, but it did.

 

Alright,
Well, I'll be going down in an hour or so to start working on it. I'll check into that governor situation. Hopefully it isn't to difficult of a job to check into... I'll let you all know

 

I found it helpful to support the trans and take off the crossmember to get to the governor. Also to put the cover back on use a LARGE C clamp and you will save alot of time.

 

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know I got it figured out. Had some serious reconfiguring to do with the TV cable. I still need to adjust it a bit to get her just right, but thankfully I didn't have to get into the governor. I drove her home today (was working on her at a shopt 2 hours from my place) and she ran beautifully..... can't wait to get her fully broken in