Transmission Issue

[stiggs56]

I have a 1965 Dodge Motorhome. I believe the automatic transmission is a 727. Everything was fine last summer until the shift cable broke. This is a cable which goes into the transmission. There was no exterior shift linkage for the 1965 727. I replaced it and also changed the transmission fluid. I got a new cable and installed it. That was a little over a year ago. I have never taken it out since I changed the cable and the fluid. It has sit since then. Now, a year later, it will start in P and N, although the positions are slightly off. I figured I would fix this later. I got the fluid so that it registerers at "low" when the engine has been started, run through the gears, and put into N. At that point the fluid is not hot and will later expand. Here is the issue. I when I run down the road, it won't shift out of 1st gear. I made sure the kick-down linkage operates freely. That doesn't appear to be the issue. I also wanted to make sure it was in drive, so I stopped in the middle of the road, put it in N, then creeped the select lever slowly down until it engaged at D. Still won't leave low gear. Any ideas where to begin looking for a solution to the issue?

Chuck

[dodgeboykim]

The adjustment of the cable shifted automatics is critical. You need to follow the procedure to a T for it to work right. You need the factory procedure to do it right. Maybe someone on the forum can send you the procedure from a factory service manual. For your specific style.

[stiggs56]

Thanks for the reply. I did follow the factory procedure to a t. As I noted, I also wanted to make sure it was in drive, so I stopped in the middle of the road, put it in N, then creeped the select lever slowly down until it engaged at D. It still wouldn't upshift when I went down the road. I really don't believe the cable adjustment is the issue.

[marklein]

Is there a return spring on the tv linkage? I have always adjusted these with the pan off. Put the trans in a certain gear and match the shifter to that by adjusting the cable, like others have said it is very critical. The spring for the detent on the valve body on these early units is very weak, and cannot hold the manual valve in a particular gear, the cable does that. If it sat that long, the governer could be hung up, or a shift valve, or the throttle valve. Try pushing the tv linkage all the way back whilst at idle in both reverse and drive, that will bring the line pressure up and possibly jar something loose.

[stiggs56]

Forgive my lack of knowledge. I don't quite understand what you are saying. What is a tv linkage? Is that the kickdown linkage which goes up to the carb?

[stiggs56]

I put the vehicle in reverse and engaged the kickdown down at the transmission. Did the same in drive. Took it down the road and still wouldn't upshift. I reasdjusted the shift cable per manual. I have ignition in both park and neutral just as I did before. I dropped the pan on the transmission and inspected. Everything looks alright. The plunger for the kickdown appears is free and appears to be working alright. I will fill the transmission and try again tomorrow.

[Stevenow]

Keep us updated, and good luck! Thanks for sharing. Had this problem like 30 years ago and honestly can't remember the fix (was a Pontiac, though).

[stiggs56]

Well I put the transmission pan back on and filled it. The dipstick has a protector cover to prevent dirt from entering the filler tube. I believe this is suppose to stay a few inches down from the top since it has two wide spots which I believe prevent the dip stick from going all the way down. When I put the stick in, the protector slid through the top wide spot and this allowed the dip stick to go all the way in. I thought what the heck, I will try it that way. So I filled the transmission to where it registered full at neutral while running at operating temperature. I had a good solid R and D. Went in smooth. Ran down the road and it did upshift. But I don't know if it was in 2nd or 3rd. Seemed like it was in second because when I tried to go down to second, nothing happened. It did downshift when I pressed the gas down and activated the kickdown. I ran about 5 miles round trip. I turned it off in my driveway. About ten minutes later I restarted and checked the fluid in neutral. It was right at full. When I tried to get reverse, it didn't provide much if any power. When I went to drive, it engaged harshly. Too much fluid? Any ideas?

[marklein]

Yes, tv linkage is the linkage going to the carb. Short for throttle valve. There is supposed to be a return spring on the throttle valve linkage. If not, it will not work properly.

[stiggs56]

Suddenly, transmission works great. Something must have been froze up. Thanks for the help.

[marklein]

Usually in this type of case, a piece of material, steel, aluminum, dirt, friction bits, or any other suspended material gets caught up in a valve, be it the governer, or the throttle valve, or even a shift valve. Happens in torqueflites, even on rebuilts, not a lot that you can do to prevent it, other than keeping everything super clean. Glad to hear it is working now, enjoy.

[712edf]

Suddenly, transmission works great. Something must have been froze up. Thanks for the help.

Mopars have a way of letting you know they are lonely & feel neglected. Just like a wife, requires daily attention, don't let it sit.
Bucky