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Always something... TV cable adjustment?

85 Jimmy

85 Jimmy

Sheepdog
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I was driving my blazer to school yesterday, I got about half way there and it felt like I lost all power. From a dead stop or from cruising (speed limits 35, I was doing about 45) I would go to WOT and it would act like a turd. Wouldn't down shift and would barely accelerate. From a stop it would still be a turd and not accelerate and would take too long to shift into second. On my way home from school it did the same thing. The first half of my trip it worked like normal, would pull hard from a stop and would downshift under heavy acceleration. Then I got it up to about 50 mph and all of a sudden I got a bad vibration and it started acting sluggish again.

I'm thinking MAYBE a bad torque converter, or it doesn't unlock after locking up, causing the turd like symptoms? I don't know anything about how Torque converters lock up, so this is just a guess.

Specs are in my signature, 350 with TPI and a TCI (forget which model) 700r4. When I installed the engine/trans combo I setup up the kick down cable (I'm pretty sure that's not what it's called on a 700r4, but can't think of the correct name), but it could be out of adjustment now I guess. The ECM I'm using for the TPI is the 1227727 with a custom prom.
 
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Check the TV cable. If it is too loose, it will shift too early and "stack" shifts. If too tight, it may shift late and hard. Since it controls transmission line pressure, it is important that you have it adjusted where max TV occurs at WOT. Checking adjustment should be the first thing. Improper TV adjustment can burn up a 700 in a hurry, so don't drive until you check it. It is possible for a cable to stretch, break, have the ratcheting mechanism slip, or pop out of the bracket, potentially necessitating replacement.

You say you have FI, have you checked for any codes or issues? Vacuum leaks? You could be in a "limp home" status due to a problem, or have a misfire or dead cylinder (could explain the vibration). Generally, if a torque converter is locking up and won't unlock at low speeds, it'll stall the engine. Make sure to go over all the easy stuff first.
 
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That doesn't sound like a converter problem to me, sounds like more of an engine performance issue, running out of fuel? possible misfire causing vibration like symptom? I suppose the converter clutch could be coming on but it would be easy enough to unplug the harness from the trans and go for a drive with this disconnected and find out.
 
When you say it "was acting like a turd" are you saying the engine wasn't winding up or the engine wound up but the tranny wasn't pulling right?

If the engine wouldn't wind up, as previously mentioned, it's likely a fuel, vacuum, or ignition issue. Start with checking the fuel filter, fuel pump, plugs, wires etc.

If the engine ran fine but the tranny wouldn't pull check the tranny fluid (running in park), and smell it to see if it smells burnt.
If it's low, add about 1/2 qt, cycle the tranny into gear (D&R) so it can pump the fluid out of the pan, then recheck the fluid level and repeat if needed.
If the fluid smells burnt, the tranny is toast.

*a crude but easy way to check plug wires is to start it in the dark and look for sparks jumping from the plug wires.

Good luck.
 
Ok, I need to drag this back up.

Since I first posted about this problem I haven't driven the truck, it's been parked and I just crank it up once a week to make sure the batteries are good.

I did pull the dip stick (while the engines running and the trans is up to temp), and it's full. Although it does have a slight hint of starting to get burnt.

Is it too late to change the fluid, filter, and make sure the tv cable is set right? Or do I need to take the trans out and rebuild it?
 
Yep, dropping the pan is the telltale sign, if there is to much of anything in the pan, or a "fuzzy" magnet, its done.
 
Alright, I dropped the pan and changed the fluid and filter.
I can't remember exactly how to correctly adjust the tv cable, anyone want to give me a step by step?
Attached is a picture of the old pan.

image.jpg
 
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