So yea, like the title says. Its kinda random when it does shift (if it does) but otherwise the trans seems to be fine. Fluid is good. Not sure the last time its had the filter changed, but figured it s fine since there is no problems with the first two gears. No overdrive, dont think that came in till 89 I think, if that has any signicance... Thoughts? Thanks

88 w100 5.2 130k miles

 

Does it shift into 3rd when you ease off the gas or is it just as bad?

 

No won't upshift into 3rd when easing off the gas. Will downshift fine.

 

have you made sure your kick down linkage is properly adjusted? are you sure the engine is in drive and not 2nd gear?

 

try shifting it manually. IMHO it is the shifter being mal adjusted.

 

can't really manually shift into 3rd. usually you can feel the gears when shifting through them.

 

Don't these autos have 1, 2, D? on the shifter?

 

ya. but if you put it in D and it won't go into 3rd there is not really a way to manually put it in third like when you manually put it in 1st.

 

Oh ok That sounds logical! How about checking the adjustment of the shift cable and see if the mech is going into drive or only going into the position which would normally be 2nd when he sticks it in drive>

 

I seam to be having the same if not similar problem. Mine will shift into third just fine when its cold. but once it warms up it will sometimes shift fine but most of the time it wont go into third until im at 45- 55 mph. If its cold it will at 25 ish. I have the linkage adjusted as far down as it will go. (decent throttle movement till the linkage moves at all). I have a tranny temp gauge installed in the cooler lines and its running hotter than it did last summer.