Hi Gang!

My 93 240 Automatic with 133k miles seems to have a mind of it's own when cold. It starts out in 1st but doesn't want to shift up to 2nd unless speed increases and letting off the gas. Once semi-warm, it starts out in 2nd and shifts up fine. When fully warm it will start out in 1st, shifts up thru the gears and no issues. We dropped the fluid and replenished with new, to no avail. The car will drive fine when fully warmed up. I tried to back off the trans cable thinking it might help upshift when cold but no difference. It does kick down when the gas is fully depressed like normal.

Any thoughts?
thanks,
Janice

 

Goldenblock here Senior member

It's seems based upon my experience is that you need to do an adjustment on your throttle cable my friend!!

That should solve your issue


Peace

 

Thanks but the cable has been adjusted properly and the trans still doesn't want to shift out of 1st until the trans is thoroughly warmed up. Partially warmed it decided to start out from a stop in 2nd. So...cold it starts in 1st but doesn't want to shift up, then partially warm it starts out in 2nd and shifts up fine, then completely warmed up starts out in 1st and shifts up fine with no problems or symptoms. The trans cable is adjusted perfectly so the kick down takes place just before the gas pedal is floored and works great. Almost seems like the fluid needs to be completely warmed up before properly flowing? It's the proper fluid and level is correct.

 

Thanks but the cable has been adjusted properly and the trans still doesn't want to shift out of 1st until the trans is thoroughly warmed up. Partially warmed it starts out from a stop in 2nd. So...cold it starts in 1st but doesn't want to shift up, then partially warm it starts out in 2nd and shifts up fine, then completely warmed up starts out in 1st and shifts up fine with no problems or symptoms. The trans cable is adjusted perfectly so the kick down takes place just before the gas pedal is floored and works great. Almost seems like the fluid needs to be completely warmed up before properly flowing? It's the proper fluid and level is correct.

 

Sorry for the double-post

 

I was referring to your throttle cable not the kickdown cable.

Golden block

 

Now that you need to explain further. If, as described earlier in my posts, the kick down cable is adjusted correctly so the kick down occurs when the throttle is depressed almost down to wide open, then how would the throttle cable be related to shift points when cold vs hot?

 

Your transmission has a mechanical valve body and a governor. (#30 on the diagram) I have fixed many weird shifting problems by cleaning the governor. If a sliver of metal gets into it it will stick and cause all sorts of shifting problems. Simple to get to - after you remove the tailshaft housing. Remove it, clean it, and hope no more metal shavings get into it. If it's the valve body - that's not something I ever got into. You will just need a new tailshaft housing gasket a a couple of cans of brake/carb cleaner. Make sure the tailshaft bushing is not worn, hopefully your car is late enough to have a bearing instead of a bushing. And if the rear seal show any signs of wear - it would be a good time to replace it also.