Is there a way to shift into second gear in low range and keep it in 2nd? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sacred80
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COS80
SILVER Star
Put the shifter in 2nd and press the 2nd gear start button.
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Mine is a ‘94 and doesn’t have a 2nd gear start button.
COS80
SILVER Star
I did not know that.
Never knew there was such a thing as a “2nd gear start button”.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
The A442F transmission shift points are controlled by both throttle position and TCU programming. Unlike the A343F, the A4422F TCU doesn't have a function to bypass the "1st start" sequence. You can, however, disable the TCU by simply unplugging the solenoid wires at the transmission. This will enable total manual control of the transmission.
The bad news is this disables automatic control of the transmission. If you do this, you really need to know how the transmission is designed to operate, or you will have a very expensive paperweight. Details are on page AT-28:
The programmed shift schedule is:
From above, the predetermined shift point (at 100% throttle, and either NORMAL or POWER mode) is a minimum of 32-mph. At 5% throttle there will be no upshift from 1st to 2nd at any speed.
The take-away here is that at 5% throttle, you're stuck in 1st gear. This table is pretty much worthless unless you assume that you can interpolate linearly between 5% and 100% throttle...and if you have a means to determine where your throttle position is, while you're driving.
FWIW, I know for a fact that my '94 will eventually shift to 2nd below 32-mph, but I haven't looked recently to see what that minimum speed is at idle (which I'd guess is above 5%). Since I have no way of interrogating the ECU on my '94, I can use my '95 and my bluetooth dongle to guess. It won't be the same speed, but I'd bet it's close.
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I know that shifting a 91/92 into 2nd gear starts it out in second gear. Thought it was the same on the 93/94s
This is the closest you can get, makes a huge improvement in low range having the high range mapping.
forum.ih8mud.com
Easy to un-plug at the tcase to try it out.
It'll still start in first, but quickly(and smoothly) shift into second like it high range if you put the shifter in 2.
Making the ECT button useful
Edit: This wiring is for 93-94's. I'll look up 95+ wiring later on. Here is a quickie that I did years ago to make the ECT button way more useful. Effectively you take(de-pin) the B-L wire pin 19 on the 'B' connector, tape it up and set it aside. Remove pin 14 on the same 'B' connector...
forum.ih8mud.com
Easy to un-plug at the tcase to try it out.
It'll still start in first, but quickly(and smoothly) shift into second like it high range if you put the shifter in 2.
Incorrect, if you disable the tcu or solenoids you can't manually select second gear.
Shifter position- actual gear
1- 1st gear
2- 3rd gear
D- 4th gear
While this allows chosing and starting in a select gear, second is not avaliable.
Not in a electronic 93/94, it'll always start in first and shift up to the gear you choose.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
So I guess the service manual is wrong.
I'll bite, how did you determine that you get overdrive in drive and third gear in second?
Actually did it years ago.
Service manual isnt wrong, just not super clear. If you look at the chart, it's described as both solenoids malfunctioning.
Assuming your transmission is a A442F….
The reason it is holding first is the low range shift pattern is different. Simply disconnect the plug on the transmission - not the solenoid wire described above. This will keep the normal shift pattern and it will go into second almost immediately. To stay in second just put the shifter in 2.
If you have the diff lock switch this will also allow you disable the CDL in low range.
Mine is a 94. I did this mod over 8 years ago. Nothing else needed.
If your transmission is A343 then disregard all the above.
The reason it is holding first is the low range shift pattern is different. Simply disconnect the plug on the transmission - not the solenoid wire described above. This will keep the normal shift pattern and it will go into second almost immediately. To stay in second just put the shifter in 2.
If you have the diff lock switch this will also allow you disable the CDL in low range.
Mine is a 94. I did this mod over 8 years ago. Nothing else needed.
If your transmission is A343 then disregard all the above.
Nope, on the A442F 2 on the shifter is not 3rd gear it is second and so on. I have a WS valve body and manual lock up switch. I can lock all gears manually. When the switch is engaged it locks the gear the shifter is in, 1st, 2nd or 3rd. To lock 4th or overdrive, you have to ensure the overdrive switch is on. If off, it locks 3rd, on it locks overdrive/4th.
Malleus
Far west of Siegen
You're comparing apples and oranges. The chart you referenced is a troubleshooting chart. It was intended to be an aid to someone trying to find an automatic operation fault, not a manual operation checklist, which is what the section of the service manual I posted states.
And, you never explained how you knew the transmission never shifted into 2nd gear. I don't expect anyone to take my word for anything, that's why I posted the excerpt from the service manual. Unless you have either compared engine rpm to transmission output shaft rpm to verify gear ratio (and that's an indirect proof anyway) , or had rigged up some way to "see" the 1-2 shift spool action within the valve body (which I'd really like to see), I don't know how you can categorically state the transmission never shifted into 2nd gear.
Correct, when the system is wired and working correctly 2 will start in first and shift to second.
We have gotten off track talking about the logic with the solenoids disconnected or tcu removed from the equation.
Rpm vs speed is how I confirmed, it was easier to tell as I manually wired up a TCC lovkup. It can be hard to tell at lower rpm as the converter is doing converter things.
When you remove the tcu or solenoid wiring you are effectively putting them in to a failed state.
Later on I wired up a diode matrix and relay to manually shift through all four gears using the od switch.
It is very noticeable skipping second. Give it a try and report back, if I get time I will do the same and we can compare notes.
Yes, thats called A440F. You put it in 2nd, it will lockup in 2nd, unless you shift to 3rd
Sounds like you are enjoying the 1-2 shift in 4 low range on a 1994. 
For those without a 93/94 the shift is drastic, you keep building RPM in 1st, it seems like its about to shift but doesn't, then boom you hit 2nd and it lurches forward. Often when going slow in low range I just leave it in 1st and let it rev for this exact reason.
For those without a 93/94 the shift is drastic, you keep building RPM in 1st, it seems like its about to shift but doesn't, then boom you hit 2nd and it lurches forward. Often when going slow in low range I just leave it in 1st and let it rev for this exact reason.
Do the mod listed above, it is easy to do and shifts like butter in both high and low range until you mash the button. Or just unhook the switch on the tcase and enjoy it all the time.Sounds like you are enjoying the 1-2 shift in 4 low range on a 1994.
For those without a 93/94 the shift is drastic, you keep building RPM in 1st, it seems like its about to shift but doesn't, then boom you hit 2nd and it lurches forward. Often when going slow in low range I just leave it in 1st and let it rev for this exact reason.
mudgudgeon
Resident galah
I don't know about any of that ^^^
Just use this . . .
Just use this . . .
