88 Caprice transmission

[Corv8]

I have a 88 Caprice with a Th200 trans with OD.
it was rebuilt a few years ago , now when its cold it works fine but when everything gets to normal operating temp it does not.

as you drive along and start to slow it does not shift down when it should and as you get to almost a stop it seems as if it almost stalls the engine and then it feels like the torque convertor disengages and is ok once you stop.

now when you drive away it shifts from first to third in about fifty feet .

Also under the hood on the passenger side close to the fire wall along the edge of the fender on top of the wheel well, got that !!
out of the wire harness there is a connector that is unpluged. any idea what it is for.

Need help

[KA9MOT]

Look at your transmission pan. Does it have METRIC stamped on it? If it does then that is an acronym for your repair. It stands for:
My
Economy
Transmission
Really
Is
Crummy

Toss it in the trash and get a better trans.

[Corv8]

yes I am aware of that low grade tranny. I have a 700R4 I wanted to swap in , it is put of a fuel injected vehicle . I have not yet looked into what I need to do it.

[KA9MOT]

While I am no expert on GM's and my GM experience has been mostly on other peoples cars and is limited, I must say you are on the right track. I believe I have heard or read that the swap is easy enough and the wiring is minimal.

Then again, I might be full of brown smelly stuff.

[Corv8]

I think you are right there is not alot in doing the swap.

Last night I was thinking, my wife says that does not happen much.
If I remember correctly on Shadetree Mechanic in the later years Sam and Dave swapped a overdrive electronic trans in a mid 70's motor home . there was some item you could buy for the electronic trans to work in that motor home that had no electronics.

Sam and Dave , do you remember that . hey are you guys there.

help

[KA9MOT]

I can help. Jeg's has just what you need:


http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...06&prmenbr=361

[danny]

i am not sure about that episode but do know that b&m has a kit to put in place for the 700r4 in a car that has no electronics.

[Clutch Grabwell]

If you have an overdrive trans, it's either a 700R4 or a 200-4R. I'm not sure which was installed in B-bodies. Your problem sounds like your torque converter clutch (TCC) soleniod is not working properly. My '86 Monte Carlo behaved the same way. (I've cured the problem with a T-56.)
The 200-4R isn't as bad as you think. Finding someone who is good at repairing them can be a challenge.
The link below outlines replacing the TCC soleniod on a 200-4R. If you have a 700R4, help should be out there somewhere.

http://www.montecarloss.com/TCC_Solenoid.html

[Corv8]

Clutch

You are a God , we are not worthy.

thank you , I new ther was an adjustment that could be made and someone had the right answer.

this 88 caprice I had to pick up for my wife because her 88 1/2 ton threw a rod 2 weeks before Christmas , I almost have the car ready to certify and did not want to do a tranny swap now . she only has to drive the car 6 days a month so she will have to shift it manually for now , I hope to fix it in the spring. we have a garage but it is not heated.

I was going to bring it to a tranny shop but price is a concern, only paid 300 for the car 500 to certifiy . the car has been oil sprayed all its life but it is what it is basic transpertation.
not that it matters but that is Canadian dollars.

[1fatcat]

Corv8, sorry I didn't answer your e-mail request. The truth is, I had no answer to give you.

But it sounds like Clutch Grabwell gave a better answer than anyone else may have been able to give. Looks like he nailed it with his input. Good job Clutch!!!

I hope you get it figured out Corv8.

[Clutch Grabwell]

Originally posted by Corv8
Clutch... we are not worthy.

Please, you're making me blush!
I've seen this happen firsthand and learned more from the driveline board at MCSS.com. Just trying to chip in a little.

CG