Huh, odd. My same friend, different Olds, had a TH400 going bad, that would shift normally from 1-2 if in L2, but if left in D it would go to 4+ grand before going to 2nd. After it got to 2nd, and the shifter moved back to D, it'd shift fine into 3rd. Never heard of an auto dropping out of gear when lifting. Interesting and SUCKS. Hope they find something definative.
I fear the answer. It has been my experience with car part suppliers (some, but not all) that they pretty much bone you once you've bought a part. I have installed many transmissions and I know how to do it, so there is no pointing the finger at my installation technique. The converter was fully seated and shimmed to spec. I fear what TCI will say. But I certainly don't feel that I should be out of pocket for any expense involved with this. It is bad enough I am using my time to do a re-install of a defective part. So we'll see what TCI says. So far they have been pretty good about it.
I will say this, though... The end of the shaft where the shift linkage attaches on the TCI trans was machined just horribly! I have had that linkage on many other transmissions and they ALL had apretty much a press fit with the linkage to the end of the shaft. Then the nut held everything in place. This TCI trans had such a sloppy fit that I was afraid the linkage would slip off the thing after the nut was on! Not impressed with that, for sure.
you have any friends with a car with a turbo 400 in it that they would let you swap for the day and see if it helps?
Are you high? Dude, I've already bolted way too many transmissions in this car. If I do another one it sure as hell won't be with the thought of pulling it right back out after I test drive it. I'm getting too old to lay on a cold concrete floor for 2 hours at a clip.
Yards, he's not high, he just hasn't read through all your trials and tribulations over the years. Devon
The problem you are having can be caused by a loose downshift solenoid or if its' gasket was missing. Normally the sol. keeps the fluid from exhausting. Could even be a defective solenoid causing it to leak all the time. If this is the problem your trans thinks it is in downshift mode. Your car freewheels in 2nd or third gear shift position because the lo/reverse band is not keeping the front carrier from moving. When you manually downshift to 1st it clamps the carrier and it gives you engine braking. If it was me I'd pop the trans pan off quick and see if it is loose or the steel gasket is not there. Some sol. may have used an "O" ring but that is a late model one I believe. It sucks but it is better than sending it back. May not be right but it is worth checking. You can get the same thing to happen if you activate the downshift sol. with an electric signal while just cruising slowly. If the trans is still in the car you can floor it and at what ever rpm it should shift at at WOT it will. As soon as you lift it will freewheel. That would tell you it is in the downshift circuit.
This tranny was built by TCI. Nobody should have to be pulling tranny pans or anything else just to get it to operate properly. That tranny should bolt straight in and go. Start messing with the internals and that's a good way to void warranty's. That tranny would be heading back to TCI as fast it could.
I mention that they already picked it up. It arrived there Friday but has not been looked at yet. And I agree. Why spend a jillion bucks for a top-of-the-line product if you have to fix it when it arrives? TCI can fix it. It should have worked right out of the box. I only hope they don't expect me to be out of pocket for the incedentals...
That's entirely possible. But it didn't lay over on the dyno, and it doesn't lay over at the top of 2nd gear, only 1st, and I've replaced the entire ignition and fuel systems. So the only thing that is bolted to this engine in the car that wasn't bolted to it oin the dyno that hasn't been changed is the trans. And I apologize for the curt reply. But like I mentioned, this is the 8th trans I'be bolted in this car and about the 14th R&I. I wasn't planning on doing it more than one last time.
hopefully it works out for you and not something right under your nose thats gonna make you slap your forehead when you figure it out.. dont you just love it when it ends up like that?
I've got to hand it to you, Yardley, you've held together way better through this than I would have. I sold a Land Cruiser years ago for much less trouble than what you've experienced with your Riv. I won't let a car beat me down, even if I gotta part with it (luckily it's only happened once for me). Not trying to discourage you, but maybe there's a better deal with your name on it somewhere - one that will take the weight off your shoulders. These old cars are supposed to be an enjoyable thing. Either way, keep your hope up; we're knocking our heads a little too. :TU:
BJ I think I can relate as far as not just ditching it and cutting your losses. If I have something give me alot of trouble (thankfully never this much though...) it becomes a personal vendetta. At that point its not that I just want it fixed, I want to point at it and laugh when completed to rub it in for not beating me. I say keep givin it hell Yards!!! Hopefully you'll have it together by the picnic!!:beer And no, I dont suffer from insanity. I actually quite enjoy it.....:Brow:
Those of us very close to the YardBird have had to keep the flame burning in him - this past round has really sucked the fun factor meter to new lows. he's talked of throwing in the towel but we wont hear of it Jeff - If you have the tranny in hand and need another hand, I might be able to make it down next weekend for a day ... and I'll kidnap The Wizard on the way down
Well, in that case, show that bitch who's boss, Yards! And when she finally purrs, slam your right foot down and make her scream!! (How's that? :laugh: )
You can talk about how something should work right out of the box because you paid good money for it and that I won't argue with. I absolutely agree that it is just not right for it not to work. The problem is when it doesn't work right and getting it fixed up by the manufacturer is a huge hassle as in this case. This is water under the bridge now as I noted in my reply when I realised it after I wrote the response. If you had the trans still in the car there is no way TCI could void the warranty because you dropped the trans pan(the solenoid is right inside) because sometime down the road the filter and fluid will probably have to be changed to keep the warranty going. I seriously doubt TCI would have you send them the trans to change the filter. My advice was too late for Yardley but I know in my mind my time is valuable(as I'm sure most people would consider their time) so dropping the pan and checking out the part would be much easier to do than R&R'ing the whole thing and grousing about how "it should be right" and sending it back. Again I'm agreeing that you would think that after this many years TCI would get it right. Yardley remember this quote: Chief Dan George: We thought about it for a long time, "Endeavor to persevere." And when we had thought about it long enough, we declared war on the Union.
