Automatic - lack of downshifting ability.

[paddywalsh11]

I have a 1986 T25, petrol automatic. Had ot since May and have not worked out how to downshift into gear one or two.

Am I missing something? Anyone know what's going on?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Paddy

[Wychall]

Are you saying that you can't downshift for acceleration purposes such as overtaking? Auto boxes should have a kickdown cable from the accelerator pedal to carry the "go faster" instruction to the gearbox. You need to check that that cable is fitted and operational.

[paddywalsh11]

Thanks for the reply, however, I think I have confused myself.
So the downshift/kickdown works. I an unable to select gear one or two from the off or whilst moving. To be used on long downhill sections.

paddy

[big red bus]

so can you select the gears with the lever and the box wont select them or the levr wont select he bgears

[Zebedee]

Sounds like the latter. Box will change down but you can't select with the lever.

[paddywalsh11]

Correct, the gears are there but i can't select the gears with the lever, easily rectifyable?

Paddy

[Zebedee]

It could be something as simple as the shift linkage needs adjusting. Theres a little info in the Haynes manual.

Don't know too much about autos to be honest.

[paddywalsh11]

Can anyone else shed some light on this please?

[123-jn]

As you move the selector to reverse and drive does the engine note change just as the lever slots into place or is there some early or late engagement occurring? If it engages just as the lever slots in then the linkage would be adjusted ok. I have adjusted mine and this is the check you do to confirm correct adjustment afterwards. Unfortunately I haven't had mine or even driven it far enough to know much about it yet. Although mine will select 1 and 2 as well as drive. I have so far drained the sump of the autobox 4 times and refilled with fresh ATF each time running the engine for around 50 seconds while moving the gear change into all positions. THis pretty much replaces the grotty stuff from the torque converter with the fresh from the sump. If you immediately change the sump oil again. The contents will now be quite clean. I took it for 20 miles drive and then repeated the above and it changes gears a lot smoother now.