Help! No third gear, is kickdown stuck?

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Mestema, Aug 20, 2006.

  1. Mestema

    Mestema New Member

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    Hey everyone! Hope everyone's doing well.

    Well, I finally got tired of dealing with the b&m shift kit and ordered a TCI valvebody. I installed it and shifting works great, exept it won't shift into third. I have proper fluid level, a brand new vacuum modulator, have vacuum going to, and have all the gears lined up. However, I noticed a part when reinstalling the valve body. Inside the tranny right past the detent roller spring, there is a lever thingy next to it. It didn't seem to have anyplace to go and didn't seem to serve a purpose.

    I think this might be the cause, is this a part in the kickdown operation? If it is, then is it possibly stuck in position and preventing the shift up out of second and into third gear? Does it need to be positioned correctly or maybe removed? If anyone could tell me what to do with it I would greatly appreciate it, or if it is anything else you could think of, please tell me.

    I'm so close to done... :cry:
     
  2. Comick76

    Comick76 Grease Monkey

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    It should still eventually shift to 3rd if it was the kickdown. Sounds like your not getting fluid into the proper channel to apply 3rd gear. Perhaps a stuck plunger in the valve body, maybe a bad servo, or something. PaulS hopefully will chime in on this. He seems to know more than anyone should about automatics. I would think that since it's a new valve body there has got to be a problem with another part of the trans. But, it also wouldn't be the first bad new part. Even if TCI is a good company (I've heard very few complaints) nobody is perfect.
     
  3. Rick Book

    Rick Book Member

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    Is this 'lever' you're talking about in-line with or part of the Servo Assembly?
     
  4. Mestema

    Mestema New Member

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    It is hooked to the shift lever, the kick down lever, and it just hangs there when the kick down isn't hooked up. When you move it around it offers no resistance?
     
  5. Old Guy

    Old Guy Member

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    It should have a little spring back movement when applied against the kickdown valve, when the valve body is installed correctly. Is often a little tricky to line it and the shift lever up together, when putting the valve body back up from under the car. Looks like you will have to drop the VB again and start over, am sure you can get it with time and patience. Keep us informed.
     

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