do I need to adjust the tv cable?

[6gunn]

I don't want to take a chance on messing anything up, so I'm asking here to make sure. The trans shifts great in all gears and lockup no slipping...but at 1/2 throttle or more, the 1-2 shift is soft. Anything under 1/2 throttle, it shifts firm and quickly. This is the only problem. Also, the gear selector isn't accurate. OD(D with circle around it) shows "N", "D" shows "OD", 2 shows "D" and 1 shows 2. So...could this be the cause of the soft 1-2 shift? I do have the trans fluid up to the S bend on the dipstick, but still have the stock top feed filter. The servo is painted red by someone, so I suspect it's been rebuilt or is aftermarket.

 

[notacarlo]

Your perception of soft may be different than others. Full throttle is full tv pressure, so 1/2 throttle....etc. I would not mess with it. You need the transmission to perform at full throttle not half.

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[notacarlo]

Now the gear selector display may be a problem. The park/reverse/neutral switch may be off and that can mess with your fueling tables. The tv cable has nothing to do with that. Theres a colar inside the steering column that rorates as you slide the gear lever. That needs to be adjusted so the ecm sees that you are in park neutral reverse. If I remember correctly this will also affect the display on the console.

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[6gunn]

I've seen others mention a soft shift their description of it sounds like what mine is doing. I don't know though...this is all so new to me it's taking time to learn. Basically, 1-2 shift is not quick engagement. 1/2 throttle or more, the RPMs increase slightly and then it goes into gear and the RPMs come back down. That's the best I can describe it. I can take a video if it will help.

 

[notacarlo]

Try this then. Push the tv adjustment tab in and slide the tv cable back to the firewall. Then get in the car, remove the floormat, and push the throttle as far as it will go. You should hear the tv adjuster "pop" as it returns to factory setting. Drive the car and see if theres an improvement. If theres still a flare, do the adjustment again, but only 1 click back. If the flare persists, theres something else going on.

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[notacarlo]

That servo may be the issue. After more diagnosis I would consider replacing it with a known good unit from a vendor.

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[notacarlo]

Is the servo itself red anodized, or the external cover?

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[INEEDAGN]

There's been so many tv cable questions lately, I almost think this section needs a "sticky" on it. Regardless of whether or not you do the ratchet method or if you set it manually at the TB, there's only one correct setting for the tv cable: It needs to be at max extension at the exact moment the throttle hits wide open. No more, no less. Check it. If it's right, don't screw with it. If it's wrong, fix it.

I could do a write up on shifter cable adjustment too, but I'd have to put one of my cars on a lift and do it again to make sure it's written accurately. But you should be able to put the trans in neutral and loosen the adjustment slider where the shifter cable is bolted onto the shift lever bracket, then put the shifter in neutral, then retighten. Both detents should line up when you do that. I was taught that it's more accurate to adjust it in neutral than in park. Make sure park engages fully regardless! If the car doesn't start after you do that, then you need to also adjust the column linkage so the neutral safety switch is correct and the ignition interlock works right. (Floor shift cars have the same linkage and the same column parts as column shift cars, they only lack the shift lever on the column. If you notice, whenever you shift your car's floor shifter, the column collar where the shift lever would normally be moves with the shifter. This is controlled by a separate linkage that comes off the shift lever bracket on the trans, and it has it's own adjuster that might be off.)

 

[6gunn]

The servo is actually painted red. It says 5694 Lesters on it. Ok I adjusted the cable as you said...by pulling it back to the firewall and then flooring the gas pedal. I had to do it 2 times before it wouldn't click any more...so it should be adjusted properly now right? Thanks and I thought that was the throttle cable at the TB! This car is making me feel so dumb because it's my first GM product and everything is so different from the Fords I'm use to. Will update after drive.

 

[6gunn]

Notacarlo: That did it! It shifts great! A couple observations all over 1/2 throttle(compared to before):
-2-3 shift is a little later but shifts firmly with no slippage(went into the red on the stock tach under WOT)
-1-2 shift is a little harder but nothing major
I wouldn't mind it shifting into 3rd a little sooner to keep with the power curve of the motor, but this is still pretty good. Thanks!

INEEDAGN: I tried adjusting the shift linkage...all detents lined up just as before, so it appears to be a problem with the indicator on the shift plate. This is...with the marker lights on, you can plainly see the indicator doesn't line up with the gear the trans is in.

 

[notacarlo]

You need to verify the rpm at shift point. The factory tach is not accurate nor trustworthy. Use a scan tool or aftermarket tach. The shift points may not actually be late, just different from what you are used to.

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[6gunn]

Alright, I'll pay attention to that when I get the powerlogger.

 

[1952ray]

There's been so many tv cable questions lately, I almost think this section needs a "sticky" on it. Regardless of whether or not you do the ratchet method or if you set it manually at the TB, there's only one correct setting for the tv cable: It needs to be at max extension at the exact moment the throttle hits wide open. No more, no less. Check it. If it's right, don't screw with it. If it's wrong, fix it.

I could do a write up on shifter cable adjustment too, but I'd have to put one of my cars on a lift and do it again to make sure it's written accurately. But you should be able to put the trans in neutral and loosen the adjustment slider where the shifter cable is



bolted onto the shift lever bracket, then put the shifter in neutral, then retighten. Both detents should line up when you do that. I was taught that it's more accurate to adjust it in neutral than in park. Make sure park engages fully regardless! If the car doesn't start after you do that, then you need to also adjust the column linkage so the neutral safety switch is correct and the ignition interlock works right. (Floor shift cars have the same linkage and the same column parts as column shift cars, they only lack the shift lever on the column. If you notice, whenever you shift your car's floor shifter, the column collar where the shift lever would normally be moves with the shifter. This is controlled by a separate linkage that comes off the shift lever bracket on the trans, and it has it's own adjuster that might be off.)

Please do, someone make a sticky

 

[1952ray]

There's been so many tv cable questions lately, I almost think this section needs a "sticky" on it. Regardless of whether or not you do the ratchet method or if you set it manually at the TB, there's only one correct setting for the tv cable: It needs to be at max extension at the exact moment the throttle hits wide open. No more, no less. Check it. If it's right, don't screw with it. If it's wrong, fix it.

I could do a write up on shifter cable adjustment too, but I'd have to put one of my cars on a lift and do it again to make sure it's written accurately. But you should be able to put the trans in neutral and loosen the adjustment slider where the shifter cable is



bolted onto the shift lever bracket, then put the shifter in neutral, then retighten. Both detents should line up when you do that. I was taught that it's more accurate to adjust it in neutral than in park. Make sure park engages fully regardless! If the car doesn't start after you do that, then you need to also adjust the column linkage so the neutral safety switch is correct and the ignition interlock works right. (Floor shift cars have the same linkage and the same column parts as column shift cars, they only lack the shift lever on the column. If you notice, whenever you shift your car's floor shifter, the column collar where the shift lever would normally be moves with the shifter. This is controlled by a separate linkage that comes off the shift lever bracket on the trans, and it has it's own adjuster that might be off.)

Please do, someone make a sticky