I went out yesterday to take a drive and it wouldn't shift into third gear. I tried leaving it in Drive and also manually shifting it with the same results. The transmission was rebuilt last year before I put the new motor in. I checked that the vacuum line was still connected. I tried disconnecting the kick down also. I drove it the day before and it was fine. The only things I've done to it since it was rebuilt were changed the springs and weights in the Governor and turned up the modulator screw... Anyone have any ideas ???? o No:
Does it shift normally from 1st to 2nd? I have seen vaccum hoses collapse which causes delayed and hard shifts. Good Luck Bob H.
If it was the governor would that not effect the 1-2 shift as well? You said the 1-2 shift was OK but does it shift 1-2 at the same RPM as it used too?
1st to 2nd seems normal but I haven't got on it since I noticed the problem. Hopefully it will be something easy (inexpensive). I'm trying to save up for bucket seats.
I have seen several instances(other Buicks) where no 2-3 shift was a governor problem. If one of the springs are too light, or one falls out, it can happen.
Check the springs first. The governor should affect the 1-2 shift, but depending on the modulator TV pressure and governor pressure, along with shift valve springs, it is possible for 1-2 to work (shift valve spring slightly lighter than the 2-3 shift valve spring) and not 2-3. You might try putting transmission in 2 and let the car get up to speed then shift to Dr with the accelerator up and see if it jumps to 3. This would give you high governor pressure and low TV pressure which should cause the 2-3 shift valve to cause the upshift. You may have a sticky 2-3 shift valve too.
Thanks willys. I having it towed tomorrow to my friends shop (who happens to have 2 willys). The first thing we're checking is the governor.
Good news (sort of) ... It turns out it was the vacuum tube. I did a visual inspection and it looked fine. My speed shop guy put a gauge on it and it was around 12 pounds at the manifold and 3 at the module ou: So, he change it out and now he say it is shifting fine. I haven't picked it up yet so I can't vouch for that. I was so glad it was nothing internal !!!
Glad to hear the good news, sometimes it is better to be lucky. As I said, the 1-2 shift valve may be ok with little or no vacuum (which controls the TV pressure), whereas the 2-3 may need all the vacuum it can get. You may want to have the modulator changed out if it isn't new.
