Is there a swicth or button to lock out 4th gear (overdrive)? Yes I have my glasses on, but cannot find it in print or on the dash! It only has 30K on it, but is not shifting in or out of 4th gear. Thanks!
No, GM has never used the overdrive on/off button like Ford, Toyota, and others car manufacturers do. Instead, they provide a 3 position on your car and most others models (and on some earlier models like the 1983 Oldsmobiles, two "Ds" one with a square around it for Overdrive 1-4 and one without the square for Drive 1-3) so if youre in D and it is not shifting into fourth, the fault likes with the transmission and/or its controller, not the operator.
Thanks for the information. We were hoping for an easy solution for the problem. I just bought the car and did not notice on the test drive that it was in third in both the "3" position and "d" position. it is a standard eldorado with only 28,000 miles. it was detailed just before i bought it so i hope it is a ground problem with the electical shift some where but who knows. should i take it to a transmissin shop or dealer? thanks again for your help. BOB
Bob, All Northstar cars come with the really heavy-duty 4T80 Hydramatic transaxle that is extremely durable (my neighbors have 150,000 miles on my former 92 SDV with the less-beefy 4T60 unit and its never been overhauled). With only 28,000 miles, youre almost guaranteed to not have internal transmission problems; its almost certain to be some electronic glitch. It could still be pricey if its a module, but nowhere near as much as an overhaul.
HI RUSTY. THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. I SURE HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT. I HAD A 1979 ELDORADO AND MY SISTER HAS IT NOW WITH AROUND 150,000 WE HAVE NOT HAD BIT OF TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. I WAS HOPING THIS ONE WOULD GIVE US GOOD SERVICE. ALSO THANKS AGAIN. BOB
There are two solenoid valves inside these transmissions which control the shifting. I had an intermittent shortcircuit in "solenoid valve B" on my 94 Eldorado, which then caused the transmission to stay in 2nd gear. If your problem turns out to be a solenoid valve the dealer will sell you a kit with both solenoid valves reasonably cheap (I think paid less than $100), and to replace them you just need to drop the pan and the valve body (watch all those balls/checkvalves!), not too bad a job.
The Shop Manual has a very detailed description on how to troubleshoot shift problems. Its amazing how much information/hints you can get from the dash display.
Good luck,
Per
I was hoping the solenoids were on the outside. that seems like a job i am not up to right now. i bet that is what is wrong. thanks for the info.. thanks bob