81 SD Won`t shift out of 1ST Gear
 

My wifes 81 SD won`t shift out of 1st or 2nd what ever gear it is that it starts out in it won`t up shift. I`ve disconected the shift down switch, still won`t shift. I`ve done a search and not finding anything other than shift down switch. I`ve replaced a B-2 piston on another car but it would shift up but would slip in the lower gears . I`ve checked the fluid it`s fine .Wife says it`s happened before and she would pull over and stop and then take off again and then it would shift. She said it has done this a couple of times . Anyone have this problem before or have any idea`s ? Thank`s Rick

Check the Bowden cable for proper operation. If the cable sticks and won't retract, the throttle pressure will be way too high and the shifts will occur very late.

BTW, it should still shift......but at 3500 rpm or so. If it absolutely won't shift at any rpm, nothing is going to save you on this one.

Bowden cable could be stuck. It runs from the linkage on top of valve cover down to the right side of the transmission. Make sure it moves freely.

.........you reading my mind........???

:D

I pulled on it from up top it seams to move fine. Not sure whats happening at the other end though. I`ve driven it a couple of times and it won`t up shift at all no matter what rpm`s. Is there anything to check at the other end of the cable ? Thank`s Rick

I've never been in there, but access to the other end is not all that easy. I believe the pan must come off. It's unlikely that the trans end is the issue.........since it's in a protected area.

When you say nothing is going to help you, do you mean total rebuild time or is there something like the B-1 or K whatever it is that could be replaced to fix it? Thank`s Rick

I'm not a transmission expert, but, my guess is that something in the throttle body is hanging up and preventing the shift. Unfortunately, most transmission shops are not experts either, and their usual course of action.........within five minutes......."you need a new transmission". There's no money trying to chase a problem where they have little knowledge or experience.

That being said.........sometimes you'll come across an honest and reliable guy who knows these units.......but, it's rare.

When I say nothing is going to help you.........I should qualify it with "without going into the transmission internals".

I'd say it's worth a bottle of Trans-X before tearing apart the transmission. Some posters here have written highly of it.

Ok thank`s for the reply`s guys . I think I`ll give the TransX a try and see what happens . I can pull it myself if I have to but as far as digging around inside ,I`ll have to see if I can find someone that knows what there doing. Thank`s Rick

Let us know if the TransX is successful. Post again on this thread.

Ok will do . I`ll try to get it done tommorrow . If not it will have to be next week end but I`ll post the results when I`m done. Lets hope it works not only for me but for other poor souls who end up with this problem. Rick

No luck with the Trans X still won`t shift past second .I put a qt. of trans x in the other day and no shift so I let it sit a couple of days to see if that would help still no shift. Rick

I would check out the B2 piston. When mine failed the car would not shift or move in any forward gear.

Its not B2. If b2 is bad, 1 and 2 will either slip or not engage at all.

My book says sticky governor or valve body problem. Mine did that just before I rebuilt it. Would shift 1-2 but nothing more.