Topic: 4.0 TB ++, Autotranny still --

[ballast]

OK, put the 4.0 TB on with one of the $25ish ebay spacers and I gotta say its nice.  I can actually maintain 65 on the damn Dames Point Bridge with a decent chunk of skinny pedal left to push.

It went on in under 30 minutes if you don't count the 10 minutes I had to spend using the dremel on the throttle bracket.  

While I was in there, I have been having problems with my 30RH autocrapmission not wanting to start off in 1st gear unless I burried the gas pedal.  I went ahead and adjusted the throttle position cable leading to my transmission and it sure seems dead on, didnt have to adjust it but a tiny amount.  No effect.  If I dont floor the gas pedal, the tranny starts off in second gear.  I can place it in first manually and it works just fine everytime.

Every once in great long awhile, it will start off in first, but usually that 1 time only and if I stop to see if it will do it again, it wont.

Any ideas?  I'm gonna try to adjust the front band on Monday but since Im working all weekend I figure I may as well see if those who know more than I have any other ideas.

I read on JU about changing the governor and solenoid but their forums are down so I cant do any research on that end.

Thanks and if you dont have a 4.0 TB, get one its soooooo worth it.

[Jeffy]

Have you tried flushing the transmission?

[ballast]

I had the fluid changed last November when I noticed the problem and nothing has changed.  The old fluid was fine BTW.

[Sidscan]

ballast,

Did you get the bands adjusted when the fluid was changed.  I just had mine serviced and it made a huge difference in the shift performance.  Prior to that I used the disconnect of the auto tranny line drain and replaced the fluid and got good results but after the service and adjustment it was much much better.  aloha

[lanulos89]

did you space the throttle cable braket mount6, the same thickness as the spacer it self, i had that happen to me and that fixed it

[Sidscan]

Yea what he said.  

This needs to be aligned to stop getting the weird second shift in the automatic.  Help me alot when I moved the throttle bracket up  and stopped the cables from angling down. Because of how the bracket on the 97 attaches under the injector rail you will have to modify the bracket to fit.  I just used two 1/4" spacers and went up 1/2" on the front and sort of angled the bracket.  That gave it close to enough clearance so the cable was not angled anymore.

[ballast]

I had this issue before the TB and spacer were installed and yes, the spacer for the bracket is installed fine as well.

I adjusted the front band yesterday while I wated for the fiberglass to dry on the sub enclosure Ive been building.

I adjusted the rear band today because I wanted to really mess up the garage floor for some reason.  Actually it wasnt too bad.  Only spilt about 1/2 cup of tranny fluid.

No change in driveability.  

While cleaning the tranny pan and magnet I found a broken snap ring or e-clip or something like that stuck to the magnet.  With my knowledge of auto trannys this tells me that something is missing a snapring or e-clip type thingy!!  Ive had this shift issue for 8 months and it hasnt gotten worse so I will hope the tranny is not on its way out quietly.

Needless to say, it will only go into first gear if I floor it or place it in 1.  No biggy, Ill start saving my pennies for a new tranny when this one finally gives up the ghost (new as in used....) anyone know what else I can bolt up to our 2.5l without a major amount of work?  Maybe I'll pick up a 904 and have it beefed up then install it...

On the brighter side, the sterio will drown out all other noises on the interstate and my gas milage is holding at 14.8mpg.