Not shifting into 3rd

[kjhansen]

I have a problem with my recently-rebuilt trans--well, less than a year ago for the second time.... It suddenly stopped shifting into 3rd gear for no apparent reason. I didn't push it hard to try to see if it would shift at higher speeds. I burned it up once after the first rebuild by driving it around trying to figure out what was wrong. Turned out to be low line pressure and it burned up the clutches! So I don't think I want to drive it until it gets checked out--I'll have it towed to the shop instead. Any ideas what might be wrong?
Keith

 

[MeanBuicks]

You may have tossed your governor spring off. Either that, or a valve is sticking in the valve body.

 

[kjhansen]

Thanks Greg! Can I drive the car or do I need the tow truck?
Keith
p.s. can you respond to keith.hansen@peterson.af.mil
as I have to get back to work...

 

[kjhansen]

ttt

 

[MeanBuicks]

If the trans shop is within five miles, driving it easy shouldn't hurt. Beyond that, towing is probably not a bad idea.

 

[kjhansen]

Greg,
I took it into the trans shop and the guy tore it down. Said it had debris in it that was causing the shift to hang up. He cleaned it up but said it looked like the torque convertor was coming apart (little pieces of gold and silver metal in the pan) and that it might continue to hang up as more debris came in from the torque convertor. And it did. I called Mike at Century Automotive and Transmission in Richmond TX, who had sold me the beefed up D5 and even though it's out of warranty he VOLUNTARILY said he'd rebuild it for free since he felt it should have lasted better than that. Hard to beat! So the torque convertor will be in the mail soon....
Keith