powerglide won't shift out of 1st gear

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by Blue Wagon, Sep 2, 2020.

  1. Blue Wagon

    Blue Wagon Well-Known Member

    I have a 65 sport wagon with a 300 with a power glide. I was looking this morning and the 2 wires to the kick-down switch , i think that's what it is, were sniped. I connected them thinking this could be the problem. Now it doesn't wont to shift into gear very well. It does go into 1st and reverse, but still not 2nd. Any suggestions?
     

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  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It isn't a Powerglide, it's an ST300. It could also be a switch pitch. If you connect 12 volts constant to the kick down, it will not up shift out of 1st gear except at WOT. If you connect 12 volts constant to the stator connection, it will be in high stall constantly. Pull the connections off at the transmission, and see if your problems go away.
     
  3. Blue Wagon

    Blue Wagon Well-Known Member

    Hey Larry thanks for your reply. Im fairly new at this buick thing so you have to for give for my ignorance. i'm learning though. Here is the deal before i reconnected the two cut wires the car already wouldn't shift out of 1st. When I first saw the cut wires i thought this might be my problem. So after i reconnected the two wires i took it for a spin. At first it wouldn't go into reverse or first, but finally it did . With the two wires connected it shifts into reverse and 1st sporadically but still doesn't shift into 2nd. any ideas?
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Make sure the vacuum modulator vacuum line didn't slip off, or develop a leak. Check at the intake manifold as well. The vacuum line must be securely connected at both ends. If the modulator doesn't receive vacuum, it thinks you're at wide open throttle and it won't upshift except at WOT. That switch in the picture controls both the kick down and the torque converter stator change. You may have them reversed, or not. If you are new to Buick, you probably never heard of a switch pitch. Read this,

    http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/switchpitch.htm
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2020
  5. Blue Wagon

    Blue Wagon Well-Known Member

    the modulator lines looked to be intact but i'm sure they need replaced. i took the modulator off and i was told if they are oily out of the vacuum fitting they are bad. This one is oily. Where can you find one? NAPA doesn't list one.
     
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  7. Blue Wagon

    Blue Wagon Well-Known Member

    Will give it a shot
     

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