1992 Chevy Cavalier transmission not shifting out of low ge

Tiny
VAREHA
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
1992 cavalier 2.2 automatic. Transmission will not change gears. I can shift it from neutral to drive and feel it bump, But it stays in low gear. If I drive it down the street, It sometimes feels like it coasts in drive. Speedometer also quit working. Trans fluid seems to be a little over filled. But no body added any. Radiator is 2 years old. Anti freeze looks clean, no trans fluid in it. Does the speed sensor and computer tell transmission to shift? What sensors are there, And what do I need to check, Before I put in a new transmission?136000 miles on car
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 AT 6:18 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Early TH125C transmissions used a "kick down" or detent cable to control hydraulic pressure and shifting.

The cable connects to the throttle body, and then to the transmission.

Check the cable for kinking, binding or broke. You can remove the cable from the TB, pull on it, there should be tension on the cable, if not, then the cable is broke.

Get this fixed ASAP, because it will cause an internal leak in the trans, and the trans will have to be replaced.
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Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 AT 4:50 AM
Tiny
VAREHA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I checked the kick down cable. It seems ok. It has slight tension and springs back. The speedometer and shifting problem started at the same time. I found an electronic part on the right side top of transaxle by oil filter. Is this the speed sensor? Is there a way to check it? If it is bad, Would it cause the transmission not to shift?It seems funny that both problems started at the same time. I found a blue plug that was disconnect on the left front of the transmission, under air intake near starter. I don't know what it is for. I plugged it back in. It didn't change anything with the transmission.
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Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
The speedometer sender should be round and fits in the trans, and has an electrical connector (usually 2 prong).

The blue plug is usually the TCC lockup connector, being unplugged would cause the TCC not to engauge, which will cost you a few MPG in gas.

Shifting is controlled by the TV cable. I would take it to a trans. Shop for a free diagnosis. It could be a bad governor or Torque convertor.
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Friday, September 5th, 2008 AT 5:58 AM
Tiny
VAREHA
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  • 3 POSTS
Found governor gear is stripped. Replaced governor and trans shifted and speedometer worked. This lasted about 50 miles. Governor stripped again. I've been told to install a axle stabilizer bearing and seal. I ordered bearing. We'll see if this works.
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Saturday, September 13th, 2008 AT 10:04 PM

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