Auto trans reluctant to upshift into 4th

[UberXY]

I was driving around in my '88 FJ62 and all was normal. Then the gearbox started not shifting well into 4th - just driving easily, it would hold 3rd to over 4000 rpm and then shifted to 4th only if I quickly let off the gas. 2nd, 3rd shift ok. No vibrations, no noises. Any thoughts? Gonna change the fluid today.

Steve
88 FJ62
02 G500

 

[jemezcrusher]

Have you checked the shift cable that works off the throttle?

 

[RockDoc]

First off, check the fluid level. Then verify that the throttle (kick-down) cable is adjusted just shy of taught at the throttle linkage on top of the engine. You might also want to check the linkage between the gear selector and the transmission, try "finding" drive with the thumb button depressed and see if this changes it behavior. Aside from these things, and a fluid flush, the only other thing you can do without tearing into the tranny is the "Rodney Party Trick". I'll post up the transmission trouble-shooting chart from the FSM and a link to the party trick in a minute.

 

[RockDoc]

The link to the Rodney Party Trick: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/145012-tranny-shift-problems.html
I've done it myself, with no dire consequences

The troubleshooting pages:

 

[RockDoc]

When you change the ATF via a drain and refill, you only get 1/3 or 1/4 of it at a time. You can either do multiple cycles to dilute down the old stuff, or do a "Rodney Flush" or "passive flush" and get almost all of it in one go. Use the advanced search feature to search for these terms (Rodney+Flush Passive+flush) in the 60 series section, and you should get the instructions. If you go this route, I found it easier to disconnect the return line from the ATF cooler at the pass. side of the rad. than to disconnect the hardline at the tranny.

HTH
Curtis.

 

[UberXY]

Thanks for the tip. I'll do the fluid, check the cable, and have someone look at the governor.

I don't think I could do the The Rodney Trick...

Steve

 

[cruiser88]

Thanks for the tip. I'll do the fluid, check the cable, and have someone look at the governor.

I don't think I could do the The Rodney Trick...

Steve

It a good trick man

 

[UberXY]

Low fluid, all is well. hopefully it will continue to function well for the next 220k miles.

 

[RockDoc]

Good to hear.

 

[ducatiman81211]

similar problem; forum fixed it-thanks

I recently had a problem with my 9/88 FJ62 automatic transmission with shifting up from 2nd to 3rd gear, everyday.
However, in my case I had previously adjusted the throttle cable a "small" amount to take in bit of what I interpreted to be slack, then slightly tightened the kick down cable to where I thought was specified as 1 to 1.5 mm gap from stopper to "cable swage" tip. I went on several long day trips over 300-500 miles, I only ever but always had this slipping AFTER I adjusted the cables a bit.
I went back here- researched and found the listed pages from the manual-Readjusted and found my old marks on the cables from dirt covering the shiny part of the adjuster nut/cable-Test drove-Problem Solved! Thanks Guys!