shift point proximity
 

Hi,

I have noticed something that kind of sucks performance from my car. The 2-3 shift and the 3-4 shift are REALLY close. As in Ill get shift, shift, in the amount of time that it took you to read the two 'shift' in this sentence.

The shift firmness, etc is great, no problems. I think my modulator is a little bit leaky, but shift quality is fine... except in one circumstance. At light throttle, Ill get the 2-3 and 3-4 at the same time, i.e. the car will essentially spend no time in 3rd gear. Ill get tyhe first shift, and then the car will keep accelerating, but the revs will be a bit high, as if it isnt in gear. Finally itll end up in 4th gear. Sometimes, if Im a little harder on the throttle as this happens, the trans will realize the problem, and after this funny shift will kick back into 3rd gear, then shift finely into 4th.

The early 3-4 shift is annoying in situations like coming off of a fast road, onto an onramp, onto another highway. The car wont have any need to change gears, and so Ill be at 20 MPH and in 4th gear. I removed some slack from the bowden cable, and this allows a downshift to happen easier without mashing the throttle.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? It is very intermittent, with no apparent cause, happens hot or cold, different levels of throtte, etc. And when it doesnt happen, it shifts as well as any GM transmission (the best feeling ATs, IMO) Ive ever driven.

Thanks,

JMH

The gear shift on automatics "clips" gears..... meaning if you drop it to lower gear the car will continue to shift normally in the first 3 gears - just never getting into 4th.

Maybe if you're driving in situation where you never need 4th, say under 45 mph in traffic, then dropping the lever one gear lower will give you the performance you want.

Naturally when you upshift the lever to grab 4th gear (when you want it), easing off the accelerator will provide smoother shift that wont tax the tranny.

Most people never touch the shifter on automatics - i dont know why.