OK so I'm new to this whole thing. I just picked up an 85 Berlinetta Digital dash 305 auto. I test drive everything was perfect. But just before I went to move it and drive, 1st and 2nd it'll move but it's more of a engine revs but I go very slow. But overdrive works perfectly shifts very smoothly. Could I just need a transmission service? Also the automatic shifter doesn't seem to shift smoothly. You have to smack it to get the button to push down to actually shift out of park. Just very confused I hope someone can point me in the right direction. Could it be the automatic shifter? Thanks



Jay

 

First, stop trying to self-shift the automatic. Those options aren't there for normal driving, only for uncommon situations. You can do 100% of your commuting with the shifter in the OD position.
That said, when you manually select the lower gears, the fluid routing is different, and the line pressures are higher, except at WOT. These other channels for fluid could be clogged.
As for difficulty shifting from park, be sure the ignition interlock cable is set up properly.
These shifters can take a little abuse. But repeated forcing will break parts.

 

Thanks for your reply. I wasn't clear with my post after i read what i wrote, it didn't make things clear. Ok, first i don't self shift, i agree thats why its called an automatic. What i should have said, is if i back up, stop and shift into either drive, 1st or 2nd i move very slow almost a crawl. Yet pop it into overdrive no problems, takes right off and shifts fine. I was thinking maybe i need fluid but OD works perfectly fine. As far as the shifter, what i should have said is... The top of the shifter has the button to engage the shifter to shift into a gear. But the button doesn't engage unless you tap the top then the button will go down and you can shift. Is there an adjustment for that? I was wondering if thats why drive, 1st, and 2nd doesn't seem to work. You can't feel the car being put into gear like you do when you OD or reverse. I hope that explained my problems better. Thanks for taking the time to read this

 

I'm happy to help, even if my style seems blunt.
As for the button, I'll stick with what I already typed about the ignition interlock cable. It's there so you can't shift out of park if the key is turned to the off position. If that cable has been cut, for instance, that might explain the trouble with the button.
And if you can drive with just P,R, & OD, then I would just do so, and ignore the issues with D, 2, & 1, by not using them.
Putting pressure through clogged passages, if they are clogged ( debris, maybe ) isn't going to help anything, and may render a currently-driveable transmission un-driveable. Then you're out some big money.
It seems there are as many ways for 700R-4s to fail as there are 700R-4s. Yours may not wish as you might wish, or as you would expect a perfect example to work, but if you can get around by ignoring D,2, & 1, then you can drive while saving up for a rebuild or replacement.

 

Interesting issue. Jogging the gray matter a little, the only real difference (?) is that when the shifter is in the OD position, versus the D,2,1 position(s), the overrun clutches are dis-engaged.

That is, there is no engine braking when the shifter is in the OD position.

Maybe that circuit has a problem with it. Maybe a leak whenever the overrun clutches are engaged. Loss of pressure will cause problems with moving the car.

Be careful as if this is the issue the trans can need to be rebuilt soon. Use the OD position until you have more info.

A pressure check would revel if this is true.

RBob.

 

I just got the car last friday. When i test drove it, everything worked fine, all the gears. Although the seller did say it was driven daily up to 6 months ago. I wonder if its as simple as servicing the transmission. I will check the fluid level as well. As far as the circuit that you were talking about, where is that located? I just find it strange that overdrive works fine actually everything worked fine when i drove the car. And now acting strange. Also do you know if there is some sort of adjustment just for the shift ****? The square button on the top doesn't seem to want to be pushed down at times. Thanks for your input

 

No adjustment that I know off. It just pushes down on a small plate that allows the various positions to be selected. May need some lube on it.

May also be that the cable adjustment is off. That would hold the shifter tightly against the position stops. Need to tear it down and see what is up with it.

RBob.