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Author Topic:   C-4 doesn't downshift to 1st
SugarlandStang
Journeyman

Posts: 26
From: Sugar Land, TX
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 05-04-2006 08:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SugarlandStang   Click Here to Email SugarlandStang     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a C-4 transmission in a 67 that doesn't want to downshift to first. It usually takes off in 2nd. I was wondering if there was a few simple things that I could try to fix it. I am not qualified to open the transmission up, so don't bother recommending anything that requires opening the tranny. It will manually shift into first no problem. Idle is about 700 rpm. Fluid level is OK. A B&M shift kit is installed. Thanks.

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adragon8u
Gearhead

Posts: 5575
From: Oceano, Ca. member# 2895
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 05-04-2006 08:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for adragon8u   Click Here to Email adragon8u     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
does yours have the green dot on the shifter? if so, then that's the gear you need to be in for it to start out in first. If you put it in drive, it'll start off in second and will only drop to second. I think it's for driving in wet or snowy conditions so you don't spin the tires on take offs.

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SugarlandStang
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Posts: 26
From: Sugar Land, TX
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posted 05-04-2006 10:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SugarlandStang   Click Here to Email SugarlandStang     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't have a green dot on my shifter. I have the center console with the lighted shift indicator. P R N D 2 1.

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adragon8u
Gearhead

Posts: 5575
From: Oceano, Ca. member# 2895
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posted 05-04-2006 10:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for adragon8u   Click Here to Email adragon8u     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
mmm, my next guess would be the vacuum modulator?

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indyphil
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Posts: 2842
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 05-05-2006 08:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for indyphil   Click Here to Email indyphil     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
When I ran with my Vacuum modulator disconected it just gets stuck in the lower gears. So connected or not, it should be in first gear. I dont think its the Vacuum modulator. Sounds like a valve body problem?

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69 Sportsroof
Gearhead

Posts: 2513
From: Valley, Alabama, USA
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posted 05-05-2006 10:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 69 Sportsroof   Click Here to Email 69 Sportsroof     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Still sounds like a green dot transmission. Try putting the gear selector at 2 and see what happens. Regardless of your shifter indiator, a green dot transmission selector goes P R N 2 D L. You'll only get the 1-2-3 shift if the selector is in the correct drive position which is where you'd normally see 2.

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Jake11
Gearhead

Posts: 228
From: Banning,Ca,USA
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 05-05-2006 05:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jake11   Click Here to Email Jake11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If its a 66 valve body, it will start off in
2nd. If it's a 67 VB, it should start in first. Are you sure what its got in it. I
had this happen to me too. I had a 67 that
the PO had put a 66 trans in. The 67 VB will
fit your C4.

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Moneymaker
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From: Lyons, IL, USA
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posted 05-05-2006 08:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Moneymaker   Click Here to Email Moneymaker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If you put it in "1" will it take off in first gear?

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Alex Denysenko
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SugarlandStang
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From: Sugar Land, TX
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posted 05-05-2006 08:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SugarlandStang   Click Here to Email SugarlandStang     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If I put it in "1" it starts in 1st gear and stays in 1st. If I put it in "2" it starts in 2nd gear and stays in 2nd gear. If I put it in "D", it starts in 2nd and will shift to 3rd.

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Jake11
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From: Banning,Ca,USA
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posted 05-05-2006 10:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jake11   Click Here to Email Jake11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Then the band is staying applied in drive.
Maybee a crossleak in the spacer plate GSK.
I would use a pressure guage to ck it out.
May have a valve sticking in the VB. 2nd
shift valve.

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Moneymaker
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From: Lyons, IL, USA
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posted 05-05-2006 11:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Moneymaker   Click Here to Email Moneymaker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Could be a sticky governer.
One easy trick to try and cure.
Take off in fist gear slowly and manually shift into second, then third.
Coast down to about 5 MPH then pop into reverse and then stop.
Then try drive and see if low will engage.

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Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28

The Barry of BarrysGrrl

Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com

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69 Sportsroof
Gearhead

Posts: 2513
From: Valley, Alabama, USA
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 05-06-2006 11:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 69 Sportsroof   Click Here to Email 69 Sportsroof     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Moneymaker:

Coast down to about 5 MPH then pop into reverse and then stop.

I've got to say that if anyone else in the world suggested doing that I'd poke them in the eyes a' la the 3 stooges.

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blackford
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Posts: 53
From: Corona, Ca
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 05-06-2006 03:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for blackford   Click Here to Email blackford     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Most likely its the governer. Not an uncommon problem with old C4s. Dirt in trans fluid will cause it. It's located around the output shaft inside the extension housing. You can clean it or replace it without too much work.

[This message has been edited by blackford (edited 05-06-2006).]

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Jake11
Gearhead

Posts: 228
From: Banning,Ca,USA
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posted 05-06-2006 04:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jake11   Click Here to Email Jake11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

That should slam a stuck gov. loose!

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Moneymaker
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From: Lyons, IL, USA
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posted 05-06-2006 07:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Moneymaker   Click Here to Email Moneymaker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Works for me every time guys.
(if it is a stuck or clogged governer that is)

------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28

The Barry of BarrysGrrl

Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com

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SugarlandStang
Journeyman

Posts: 26
From: Sugar Land, TX
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 05-06-2006 11:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SugarlandStang   Click Here to Email SugarlandStang     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:

Take off in fist gear slowly and manually shift into second, then third.
Coast down to about 5 MPH then pop into reverse and then stop.
Then try drive and see if low will engage.
[/B]

I'll try it tomorrow. I wanted to try it today, but my wife had me putting up solar screens on the back windows of the house. It's taken all day and night...

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SugarlandStang
Journeyman

Posts: 26
From: Sugar Land, TX
Registered: Dec 2005

posted 05-07-2006 10:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SugarlandStang   Click Here to Email SugarlandStang     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yep, worked like a charm! Thanks alot! I love this web site.

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66bluefb
Gearhead

Posts: 530
From: Okla.City,Okla.
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posted 05-10-2006 07:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 66bluefb   Click Here to Email 66bluefb     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks Moneymaker.I had the same problem and did what you said and now mine is downshifting every time.You are the MAN!!

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johnmustang
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From: British Columbia , Canada
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 05-10-2006 07:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for johnmustang   Click Here to Email johnmustang     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Moneymaker:
Could be a sticky governer.
One easy trick to try and cure.
Take off in fist gear slowly and manually shift into second, then third.
Coast down to about 5 MPH then pop into reverse and then stop.
Then try drive and see if low will engage.


Alex,

Will this work with a green dot?

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JOHN
65 FASTBACK 2+2
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Member:Vancouver Island Mustang Association
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65 FASTBACK
2003 F150 XLT SUPER CREW 4X4

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