Lets get this thing fixed..

[edgar333]

i just bought a 89 wagon. it has 2 problems i need help figuring out, one is the transmission, it automatic. it dosent shift right.
it lags lot to shift into 2nd gear, you actually have to ease off the gas a bit for it to kick in then i kicks in HARD,

i got it to shift in to 3rd and 4th when i drove it home most of the way, in order to do that, you have to be cruisin at 60mph in 2nd gear for a bit(bout a minute) then 3rd gear will ease in followed by 4th.
by the time i got home 3rd wasnt kicking in any more.
does it sound like something that can be fixed or is this tranny DONE?
if its gone im going to look into a 5speed manual swap.asap

problem #2. i got a check engine like on. i figured out how to pull codes and this is what i came up with 1-3-1 which is rpm signal absent??

how do i fix this? new sensor?

[edgar333]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh guys

[ziddey]

so it's not slipping. that's good. look for guides on adjusting the kickdown cable tension maybe. check fluid level.

not familiar enough with these cars yet about rpm sensor. is that different from the crankshaft position sensor? see that it's plugged in first of all. guessing it's different since there's no hall sender so cps should be vital?

[Slid Homes]

Try doing a transmission flush. Not a drain/refill, but a true flush. Use cheapo stuff to start, then flush with some synthetic. Mine behaved similair and flushing improved it significantlly.

Can buy this kit (it also has some detail pdf instructions on how to do it), or just buy a length of hose and a clamp...

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4809/...sion-flush-kit

[edgar333]

No it doesn't slip, where is the rpm sensor located?

[John2x240]

'89 automatic 240s is a 3 speed with electric overdrive, not a four speed. Activation is through a switch on the shifter, a relay, and a solenoid. Other than that, the box is not electronic. The 1-3-1 code can mean almost anything, but if the engine runs OK it won't be the rpm sensor (right rear of the engine on the top of the tranny bell housing), and 1-3-1 won't trigger the CEL.

Some of the following have already been mentioned, but here's my suggested test list:
- check the tranny fluid level (engine warm) and colour/condition (see if it smells burnt), and flush if needed (as noted by Slid Homes)
- check/adjust the kick-down cable (as noted by ziddey)
- check the operation of the overdrive (with the ignition "on" engage the OD switch - you should hear the relay click under the centre of the dashboard, then do the same with someone listening under the car - you should hear the solenoid click under the car)

If any or all of these don't fix the problem, there's something wrong inside the tranny.

I just thought about a heads up on warning lights. For an '89 240 there's both a service and check engine warning light, so which one is lit up?

[edgar333]

check engine, and yes the motor idles and runs fine

[John2x240]

In the engine compartment near the coil there's a 25 amp main system fuse in a holder at the end of two wires. Pull the fuse for about 30 seconds to clear the codes and then plug it back in and check to see if the CEL comes back on and stays on when you turn the key on. If it does then re-check for codes and let us know what you get.

[John2x240]

DP because my silly interweb connection is buggering around.

[Super Matty P]

I second "Slid Homes". My 760T had the exact same trans issue. I did a full pan-drop trans service using standard Dexron ATF after about 5 miles of driving it is silky smooth like brand new.

The downside is that sometimes the clean ATF fluid will remove gum and varnish from inside the system and actually cause your trans to completely fail. In my case I was prepared to have the trans rebuilt/replaced anyway so I took the gamble and it paid off in spades.

Good luck to you.

p.s. I also loosened my kickdown cable almost all the way out and it drives much smoother. I'm able to actually open the throttle body some before kicking down a gear. Big improvement in tooling around town.

[edgar333]

Originally Posted by Super Matty P

I second "Slid Homes". My 760T had the exact same trans issue. I did a full pan-drop trans service using standard Dexron ATF after about 5 miles of driving it is silky smooth like brand new.

The downside is that sometimes the clean ATF fluid will remove gum and varnish from inside the system and actually cause your trans to completely fail. In my case I was prepared to have the trans rebuilt/replaced anyway so I took the gamble and it paid off in spades.

Good luck to you.

p.s. I also loosened my kickdown cable almost all the way out and it drives much smoother. I'm able to actually open the throttle body some before kicking down a gear. Big improvement in tooling around town.

The previous owner claims he replaced the atf, not Sure if it was a flush or just pan drop,.but the fluid does look new

[Super Matty P]

and full? He may have been having problems with the trans prior to selling it and tried replacing the fluid already. If that's the case then I'd not expect much out of it.