The Bowden cable does not control or command a shift, it controls shift timing, and so with the cable disconnected all shift would be stacked, early. If you are cursing on the highway in 4th gear for miles, and the car stays in 4th, does not drop out. A possibly is a valve body control problem. What command 4th is?

Valve body

[3-4 shirt TV valve
3-4 shift valve
3-4 sequence valve
3-4 feed control valve
Rear clutch sequences valve.

If the Trans drops 4th gear when hot or cold

Kick down solenoid
Low governor oil
Leaks in the K2 or K2 drum
Burnt clutches.


The number one step in diagnosing any transmission drivability problem is to check, oil level and condition, oil pressures ; working, modulator and governor. A flush is about $195.00, it is more cost effective to have the valve body rebuilt for $250, get a guarantee first. That is easy for me too say it is not my money.