shift problems

[garnetkid]

My 87 T type which I bought new has 106,000 klms and has lead a fairly easy life (i.e.; no racing) just some infrequent quick acceleration episodes. It has developed a transmission problem in that it shifts normally out of 1st with normal light throttle but rapidly shifts right into 3rd after the 2nd shift. It does this more aggressively when it is at operating temp. I have to give it a lot of gas pedal to get it to shift back down to have it have any sense of power. I did try to shorten the throttle cable on notch which made a bit of improvement in the shift pattern but the lockup wouldn't come on at speed up to at least 110 klm per hour. I am wary about taking to any of our local trans shops without having some idea of what might be causing it. From reading this forum I know that some of the original gm performance upgrade parts are no longer available from GM so was also wondering if any of the forum venders have suitable replacement parts if needed. I am located in BC Canada. Maybe the trans shifting problem is related to another non transmission part failure??? Thanks for any and all suggestions as to how this is happening. Leon

 

[mikestertwo]

Sounds like the converter lockup solenoid is bad. It's a common problem and an easy fix. Drop the pan....the solenoid is located in the front of the transmission plugged into the pump. It's held in with 2-10mm bolts. Remove the 2 bolts, pull the solenoid straight down to unplug it from the pump then splice in the new solenoid. Install in reverse order.

 

[garnetkid]

Thanks Mikestertwo, I do believe that may be the problem and did some searching for the GM part 8639900 and found that it is not available anywhere. I thought I had found it at GM Parts Online as it was shown in their catalog however they advised it was no longer available. So now I need to know what aftermarket solenoid is a suitable replacement. A make and part number sure would be helpful. Thanks, Leon

 

[mikestertwo]

The Standard part# is TCS13. It's a universal lockup solenoid that fits the 200-4R and 700-R4. The package is supplied with spacers to be used with the 200-4R.

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

A quick note on TCC solenoids, they are polarity sensitive. So be sure to wire black to black, then the red solenoid wire to whichever color the other trans harness wire has (it is tan in the trans I'm using).

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[garnetkid]

I just checked with my local parts store and that number crosses over to a borg warner part. Is one better than the other or are they possibly made by the same manufacturer??

 

[David Husek]

I like and use the fitzall by teckpak replacement solenoid, Part #K77929U. If you need one, I have them in stock.

http://www.teckpak.com/spgm.cfm?id=K77929U

 

[fast NY Six]

My 87 T type which I bought new has 106,000 klms and has lead a fairly easy life (i.e.; no racing) just some infrequent quick acceleration episodes. It has developed a transmission problem in that it shifts normally out of 1st with normal light throttle but rapidly shifts right into 3rd after the 2nd shift. It does this more aggressively when it is at operating temp. I have to give it a lot of gas pedal to get it to shift back down to have it have any sense of power. I did try to shorten the throttle cable on notch which made a bit of improvement in the shift pattern but the lockup wouldn't come on at speed up to at least 110 klm per hour. I am wary about taking to any of our local trans shops without having some idea of what might be causing it. From reading this forum I know that some of the original gm performance upgrade parts are no longer available from GM so was also wondering if any of the forum venders have suitable replacement parts if needed. I am located in BC Canada. Maybe the trans shifting problem is related to another non transmission part failure??? Thanks for any and all suggestions as to how this is happening. Leon

Mine was acting similar to yours, Once it shifted out of first it would fall on it's face, like it skipped second gear. I purchased tcc solenoid from turbo Buick performance and fixed my problem. The solenoid is part of the harness inside the trans. The harness is not available. Easy to do, drop pan, take off two fasteners, cut two wires and splice new one in. comes with screw type wire connectors, so no soldering is required. wires are color coded also. David walked me through it.

 

[garnetkid]

Update: I want to thank everyone for their advise. I did source a Fitzall from one of their suppliers near Vancouver .My local parts supplier was able to bring it in. thanks David for your help with the part number. I installed it today and everything appears to be back to normal. I took it for a test drive to bring it up to operating temperature which was when the trans would shift as Fast NY Six described . Glad it wasn't anything more serious. It was an easy repair and gave me the chance to install a drain plug as well. Leon

 

[David Husek]

Update: I want to thank everyone for their advise. I did source a Fitzall from one of their suppliers near Vancouver .My local parts supplier was able to bring it in. thanks David for your help with the part number. I installed it today and everything appears to be back to normal. I took it for a test drive to bring it up to operating temperature which was when the trans would shift as Fast NY Six described . Glad it wasn't anything more serious. It was an easy repair and gave me the chance to install a drain plug as well. Leon

You're welcome. It is good that it was not something more serious.