1986 celebrity trans problem

my trans won't shift down into 1st, so when i take off it is in 2nd and
it is sluggish starting out. Let me tell ya, it's very annoying. If i shift manually theres no problem. Any help much appreciated.

Are you sure that its in 2 and not the lock up convert is engaged. Back in 1986 and after that was a problem with the transmissions. That should be a 906 trans you should tack it to a trans shop and have it checked.

Posted by stick69 - 11-22-2004 at 01:12 PMmy trans won't shift down into 1st, so when i take off it is in 2nd and
it is sluggish starting out. Let me tell ya, it's very annoying. If i shift manually theres no problem. Any help much appreciated.http://files.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/images/clear.gif

If I recall correctly isn't that a front wheel drive model? I thought they were during that year. If so you would have the TH125C transmission or 440T if it's a 4 speed overdrive unit. Maybe Mike's referring to the old 904 & 727 torque flight trasmission which were Chrysler products.

Either be the case and/or what ever transmission you do have I would first and always check the transmission fluid level and the quality of the fluid. The quality of the fluid is usally a great indicator of any serious internal trans issues. I don't think you have that problem here though, but of course I don't know how many miles are on the vehicle or how often the car has been serviced.

If I found the quality of the fluid and the level to be fine. I would then check the transmission throttle valve pressure cable. Check to see if the cable is not broken or came unhooked. Pull on it gently to make sure it has spring tension. That will tell you that the cable is fine and still attached internally to the valve body inside of the trans (it will not tell you if the adjustment might be off, which possibly could be the problem also).

If all checks out fine so far, my next step would be to drain out about a quart of transmission fluid through the cooler line. Then add a quart of Amsoil transmission fluid. You might possibly have a sticky governor valve (not located in valve body). The Amsoil, even one quart, works wonders on freeing up stuck valves and even just removing varnish build up within the transmission.

Good luck, fingers crossed it's not serious.

i had a 86 celebrity with the th 440r4 tranny and never had a broblem but here is two possiblities, check the vacum line that supplies the tranny and also on the front of the tranny there is a wire conecter , un plug it, and take it for a drive if the latter of the two fixes the problem take it to a tranny shop, they will probley tell you it the tourq converter lock up switch. it a very common problem whith thoes tranny and there a pain to change. but most shops will do the job for pritty cheap. If it your problem

1986 model... If it is the TCC Solenoid then you can just leave it unplugged.

Hey Off Road you are absolutly right. I dont know why I wrote that number but the night that I did that I had the 125 number in my head. Maybe I had a senior moment or a flash back to the seventies when I work for Chrysler. Sorry about that. Word of warning on GM transmissions, fwd that have not had the fluid changed in over 25000 miles should not have it changed. This was a bulletin put out by GM. The dirt that the fluid causes get washed out with the new fluid that has detergent in it. This causes the seals inside to leak and loose pressure eventually the trans will slip between shifts. This you can ask any mechanic that worked on GMs during the 80s.