91 geo trans issue?

[mr_hops48]

hi,
i have a 1991 geo lsi 1.0. I have (at this time) a very limited budget and need some advice on how to find out if i do even have a problem.(i wish i had another metro to drive and compare). it seems to me that i only have 2 gears (forward). i have driven the car at 55-60, but it seems that the rpm's are very high. i can feel the shift from a standing start into the next gear at 20-25 mph with agressive acceleration. with moderate acceleration the shift point appears at about 15-20 mph.
i have tried disconnecting the (4 wire ? ) connector on the trans. and i feel a shift from 1st to 2nd, but nothing when put into drive. also at 50 mph if i downshift to "2" there is no change. i have added a trans additive to "unstick" the "valves". the cable that goes from the throttle to the trans has no slack, but there appears to be much more travel available when at full throttle. i wouldn't dream of trying a "DIY" on my 2000 cougar (gosh is that engine compartment packed), but have done timing chains and gears, heads etc. long ago (64 chevy nova).
i guess i am not sure if i have 1st and second or 1st and third. if one range is missing is there a procedure i can do to find out.
thanks for any help available. (i do on site computer work and have to travel 75-200 miles a day and really need the geo for the gas savings

thanks for reading this long post

Jim

[hot_sd]

It sounds like you are missing third although it can be hard to say particularly under light throttle. What I suggest is that you start the car and increase speed slowly until you get to 10mph. At this point you should get a shift into second. Then press the gas pedal a bit more agressivly until you get to about 20mph and then back off the gas. You should feel the upshift into third. When you then apply the gas the rpms should be lower. If not you are probably missing third. Hooking up a tach to the engine during this test will also help and the rpms should go down after an upshift if you keep the gas pedal fairly constant.

The shift points do vary depending on how much gas pedal is pressed - this is normal behaviour. Under very heavy acceleration the trans can stay in second until about 60 or 65 mph.

Missing third usually means some problem with the direct clutch or an associated component. Since you did not get third after disconnecting the shift solenoid connector you can probably rule out the direct clutch solenoid. This leaves possible problems with the 2-3 shift valve, problem with the valve body passages used in third, or the direct clutch itself. The valve body can be serviced from below but to access the direct clutch you will need to remove the trans from the car.

Not sure how much more you can do on unless you feel ready to tackle a possible rebuild on the tranny. If not this info may help you understand what the tranny shop should be doing and if the info they give you may make sense.

[geozukigti]

check the condition of your trans fluid also. If it's burnt(not pink) it could be causing that problem. Bad flow will cause the trans to not build enough hydraulic pressure to shift. A clogged trans filter could do the same thing. Have a fluid flush done if the fluid looks bad. Fixed my old 91' automatic vert that had the same problem

[mr_hops48]

Thanks again

Jim