Hi all.

got an 84 Trans Am 5 liter H.O not long ago. The engine has been rebuilt and the guy i got it off had connected the shifter cables and it goes in gear fine.

i drove it to the bottom of my street earlier. Thats the first time its been out of my garage since i got it and it held 1st gear forever.

ive also got an 87 TA and the adjuster part at the throttle is different. It has like a ratchet type thing where you push the button and it goes slack then you move it where you want.

​​​​​​​on this 84 the button is there but the cable just goes inside a black part. I cant even get the button to depress. When it does can you just pull the cable in and out ?

 

Press the button in, pull cable towards the firewall, get in car and move floor mat, mash gas to floor(engine off). Done

 

So im pushing the cable as far back into the housing as possible with it disconnected. Then floor the pedal and reconnect it. Easy enough !

 

Got the button depressed, the cable was as far back as it would go anyway :/



Talking to a friend he has said i need to check the hook inside the transmission is connected to the end of the TV cable by removing this part and pulling it up to see if its attached ?

 

you should be able to pull the cable at the throttle and see if it springs back after you pull on it.
if you pull on it and it doesn't snap back, you got issues in the trans where the cable hooks up.

 

Just been out to try that Bob, it does spring back, so im assuming if the hook werent connected inside the Trans it would just move freely with nothing holding it at the other end ? so that is kind of good but now im wondering where to go from here if the hook is connected and the cable is adjusted all the way back.

 

It may not be the correct cable. If that's a correct 80s Q-jet . .
There are multiple lengths and the 4bbl 700-R4/200-C/200-4R from a 4bbl truck, Caprice, G-body, or F-body one is what you'll need. Measure that one and search.

 

Sounds like the cable has stretched and just need a new one. Note that mashing the go-pedal is the wrong way to set the cable. Everything needs to be done at the carb/TB linkage.

Try this: at the carb open the throttle all of the way and hold it. Check the TV cable to see how tight it is. On a properly adjusted cable there should be no slack in it.

RBob.

 

Just tried that as im in the garage now. Cable is tight with the throttle wide open. I cant move it back or forth

​​​​​​​

 

I would say that you are good to go. A final check would be with a line pressure gauge. That is the pressure needs to rise immediately on a small amount of throttle movement.

RBob.

 

I think maybe that could be the problem then as you have to give the car more throttle than usual to get it moving.

​​​​​​​would a fluid and filter change be of any help do you think ?

 

Changing the trans fluid and filter is a good idea. take it for a drive and get it up to operating temp, park it, leave it running and check the trans fluid level and fluid condition. If you're low on trans fluid or the fluid is burnt and old it will have a hard time shifting.

 

Trans fluid was pretty low when i got the car so i filled it up. It also had no selector cable fitted so the guy i got the car off had fitted them.

​​​​​​​it shifts lovely and smooth from park to R or D and engages the gear straight away. But when you come to move off not much happens unless you put your foot down a lot, then obviously it wont shift to 2nd. I pray nothing is wrong with the trans itself or im screwed

 

i spent yesterday changing the trans fluid and filter. The old stuff was pretty dark even though i topped it up a lot with fresh fluid. I cleaned the pan too, no chunks or debris of any kind in there.

ran the car upto temp. Went through all the gears a few times and went in and out of the garage then braved driving down the street and it still wouldnt shift into 2nd or 3rd. Help

 

Likely the governor gear is stripped. Common issue and the trans will only have 1st and reverse.

It is located under the domed cover on the left rear of the trans.

RBob.

 

Is this a part that can be changed by me ? The most ive worked on a trans is changing the fluid and filter.

​​​​​​​is it on the outside of the casing at the back or do i need to take the pan off again etc ?

 

Just had a search of the governor and it looks nice and easy to do. Ive already bought a gear kit as it was cheap.

ive seen another thing pop up a few times while searching saying i should try disconnected the TV cable wirh the engine running and pull it rapidly incase the valve is sticking etc. Wish i had of known that when i changed the fluid and filter yesterday and i could of checked it inside the box

​​​​​​​i will give it a try anyway

 

I was gonna order a new TV cable since im working on the trans, however rockauto list 3 different lengths ?!?! Anyone know what the correct length cable is i need ?



Also why are there 3 different length cables for the same car engine / trans combination ?

 

There aren't. When the TPI throttle body is way forward compared to a 4bbl, the TV cable is going to be longer.

 

TPI didnt start till 85 though so it shouldnt be an option when looking for 84 parts.

​​​​​​​so is the shortest cable correct for a carb ?

 

The governor is pretty easy to take out. If you have a paint can opener, it helps pry the cap off. So long as the gear isn't stripped, your weights move freely and the slider inside moves freely, you should be good.

 

Yeah ive seen a few videos of it being removed and rebuilt and it does look pretty easy. I really hope it is that

 

Parts catalogues should, would, could have information that's incomplete or misleading.

Odds are good if you find one that's for an 84 that also fits an 86 Chevy truck, it's correct.

My last 4bbl / 200-4R car was stolen last year and I have no spare TV, so no measurement for you.

 

length of the cable won't affect the travel of the plunger. you'll just have more sheath hanging loose. for adjustment:

http://www.tvmadeez.com/

when changing the fluid look for black 'dust' in the bottom of the pan. it's presence indicates worn friction material and can indicate a re-build is necessary.

staying in 1st shouldn't cause any clutch damage though.

stuck tv valve or governor issue probably, gov most likely