I bought a non-running 88 Iroc. The previous owner bought it the same way. I got in running and driving. After driving it about 30 miles, it seems like the auto trans is slipping. The fluid is clear red and smells like fluid, not burnt. I went to adjust the tv cable and there isn’t one...just the two throttle cables on the tpi intake. There is a ger transmission sticker on the air intake plenum. I checked the fluid not running, it is about an inch above full, when I run the car, it drops to the normal band. I rev it up in park, then after the rpm drops to normal idle, it shift into reverse and drive fine now.... what is the problem? Why isnt there a cable? Is the solenoid sticking from not being driven? I think it sat for several years. Should I add an additive? I am going outside now to drop the trans pan and change the filter.

 

There would be only two reasons I could think of why it doesn't have a cable ;

Reason #1 , someone who doesn't know much about the THM700R4 removed it , possibly thinking "it's just a kickdown cable" (which as WE know it's a LOT more than just a kickdown) ,

Or

Reason #2 , someone put a different transmission in it that doesn't use a TV cable (Turbo 350 or 400 perhaps ?)

 

I just dropped the pan, here is what I see. It’s a th350 right?

 

Doesn't look like a 700r4 for sure. The 700 has a nearly square pan. 13 bolts holding the pan ? If so it should be a TH350 or derivative.

 

Yes indeed , that is not a 700R4 , here is what the insides of a 700R4 looks like .

 

PS , looking really close it looks like the vacuum line may not be properly connected to the vacuum modulator (rear of the transmission on the passenger's side) , which would cause all kinds of shifting weirdness .....

 

the hose is connected, I traced it up to the intake. It connects at a tee on the passenger side intake near cylinder number 8. The hose is a soft rubber, should it be a firmer hose since it is vacuum? Is the modulator going bad perhaps?