Engine removal on a 1990 2.9 auto 4x4

[cardana24]

Okay the truck is running...but I have a big problem. It won't shift out of first gear. I drove it 10 miles yesterday and it will not shift out of first. I does not matter if its set a 1,2,D, or OD...it stays in first. The fluid level in the tranny is good. What could cause this? I know nothing about automatics all of my vehicles have been manual, and I am working on this truck as a favor. Please let me know guys. Thanks.

 

[Psychopete]

Okay the truck is running...but I have a big problem. It won't shift out of first gear. I drove it 10 miles yesterday and it will not shift out of first. I does not matter if its set a 1,2,D, or OD...it stays in first. The fluid level in the tranny is good. What could cause this? I know nothing about automatics all of my vehicles have been manual, and I am working on this truck as a favor. Please let me know guys. Thanks.

Did you reconnect the vacuum line for the automatic trans. (I am thinking this is the case..)

Was the kick down cable plastic bracket broken coming out of the firewall when engine was put back in? I accidentially did this myself...

Either way, drive at a very minimum until you get it resolved. Sounds like you got the torque converter back in OK, usualy if it's not, it won't go at all.

Pete

 

[CraigK]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'd like to ask PP a question.

Psychopete

Is there some sort of adjustment on the "kickdown cable"? My AT B2 will basically not downshift when I tromp on the gas. Or sometimes it just goes down a single gear from OD, and upshifts again at 3400 or slightly higher. I cannot seem to get this thing to kick down properly and utilize the power of 4000+ rpm. (I don't often pull out to pass!)

CraigRK

 

[cardana24]

Did you reconnect the vacuum line for the automatic trans. (I am thinking this is the case..)

Was the kick down cable plastic bracket broken coming out of the firewall when engine was put back in? I accidentially did this myself...

Either way, drive at a very minimum until you get it resolved. Sounds like you got the torque converter back in OK, usualy if it's not, it won't go at all.

Pete

Ummmm....I am not sure about the vacuum cable. Where does it hook up on the tranny and then where does it hook in the engine bay? I do have an extra vacuum line that I have no clue where it goes.

I don't know what a kick down cable is. Could you give me a little more info on that.

 

[Psychopete]

Is there some sort of adjustment on the "kickdown cable"?

I've never messed with it, but I am sure there is. As far as adjusting it, I would probably have a transmission shop do it, I wouldn't know how to adjust it properly. I know on AODs, they have to test the line pressure to get it right, and if it's not, the trans will fry within a couple miles. I really don't know much about transmissions.

Cardana,
If the vacuum line runs down along the passenger side bellhousing, you need to reconnect that. Mines hook up to the back vacuum tree, same one for the fuel pressure regulator and brake booster.

I believe the kick down controls the pressure and tells it to downshift. Runs from the gas pedal, through the firewall, and to the auto trans. Probably get better answers in transmission section. When mine was busted, I didn't realize, and drove around the block for a test drive. It shifted really late and really hard, went back and saw that I busted the mount for it.

Pete

 

[cardana24]

Cardana,
If the vacuum line runs down along the passenger side bellhousing, you need to reconnect that. Mines hook up to the back vacuum tree, same one for the fuel pressure regulator and brake booster.

I believe the kick down controls the pressure and tells it to downshift. Runs from the gas pedal, through the firewall, and to the auto trans. Probably get better answers in transmission section. When mine was busted, I didn't realize, and drove around the block for a test drive. It shifted really late and really hard, went back and saw that I busted the mount for it.

Pete

Where does it hook up on the transmission? Also what does this vacuum line do? Does it some how let the tranny know when to shift?

Also, the whole kick down thing I don't think that would be my problem, since mine will not kick up, there is nothing to kick down.

I'll try posting about this in the transmission section.

 

[Psychopete]

Where does it hook up on the transmission? Also what does this vacuum line do? Does it some how let the tranny know when to shift?

Also, the whole kick down thing I don't think that would be my problem, since mine will not kick up, there is nothing to kick down.

I'll try posting about this in the transmission section.

I won't know until I drop my trans for V8 swap, ironically I've never had any issues with my A4LD. Best bet would be to get under there and take a look, and if it's a vacuum line, regardless it needs reconnected. It does go to the modulator, and if it runs along the bell, that's more than likely the trans vacuum line.

As far as the kick down, see the last part of my post. Mine wouldn't shift out of first right (like 3,500RPM) when the kick down cable wasn't working properly.

Most likely, the problem is that vacuum line, and I imagine it uses the engine vacuum to 'know' how to respond to what the engine is doing. Vacuum drops at wide open throttle..

Pete

 

[cardana24]

that vacuum line had come off of the modulator like you guys suggested! That thing is hard to get to, but I plugged it back in and went for a test drive. So far so good. It's shifting as it should and the engine is running nice and smooth!! Thanks for everyones help.

One more question. What connections hook to the driver side vacuum connection? I have one line duct taped up.

 

[Psychopete]

One more question. What connections hook to the driver side vacuum connection? I have one line duct taped up.

A vacuum line that's left over and no vacuum taps left? Where is it coming from?

Pete

 

[cardana24]

A vacuum line that's left over and no vacuum taps left? Where is it coming from?

Pete

no. A vacuum tap with no line to hook to it.

 

[Psychopete]

no. A vacuum tap with no line to hook to it.

Oh, there's little rubber "condoms" that go over those. It's better to have an accessory you forgot (that you'll find later), then to have an all out vacuum leak. The rear at minimum should have trans, fuel pressure regulator and brake booster. But this could vary by setup.

Do what you can to block it off. If you REALLY wanted to be sure (vacuum leaks are can be a pain), you could poor man check the intake and vacuum lines w/ carb cleaner to make sure there's no leaks. If the idle speed changes when you spray a particular area, there's a leak. Vacuum gauge readings can help detect vacuum leaks as well..

Pete