Th125 - 4 cylinder - 1985. Sometimes the car will wait along time to shift out of 1st. most of the time it shifts fine,(lock up works) fluid is up, filter was changed about a year ago. what Could cause this? am I heading for trans failure ?

Hi Lou, my hunch would be 2 things . A misadjusted trans cable , or a sticking governor. I will look through my manual later and see if I can find out more. Ernie

thanks, I'll be awaiting your report.

Fluid is up. You're Sure? Sound like a low fluid.

In park and engine on... Wipe the dipstick first, check it, wipe it again, then put it back 128^o and check it again. Sometime the dipstick tube can make it lie in one direction.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

Hi Lou, I just went through the trouble shootin section of the Fiero factory manual for my '87 GT. It lists the 2 possible causes that I told you about in my previous reply, plus the following: Oil level, various governor problems such as, cover worn, thrust washer missing, gov. seal worn out, gov. spring not seated, gov. weights binding on pin, gov. driven gear stripped. It goes on to blame intermediate servo: sticking apply pin, seals cut, damaged , piston sticking or damaged,porosity in case servo bore. Next is the control valve assembly: valves sticking,spacer plate gasket leaking. Next item is Valve body spacer: Gov. feed orifice valve plugged. Lastly, Intermediate Band: burned or worn. Before you get panicky or completely befuddled with all this, it can also be low fluid level. Or, a misadjusted TV cable This was taken from the symptom listed as : No upshifts, delayed upshifts,or full throttle up shifts. I would have just copied the page, then send it to a link for you, but my girlfriend is the one who knows how to do this,and she won't be home until near midnight. So I typed the info for you right from the book. Hope this helps you somewhat. I will check back on this item a little later. Ernie

Thanks. the car sat for 8 years before I got it , I pulled & rebuilt the engine & changed the trans fluid & filter. All this was about 2 years ago. only been driven about 100 miles since. AND, only acts up very seldom so far. Will check fluid Again tomorrow

The dipstick on a TH125 can be extremely hard to read correctly, especially if your fluid is nice and clean. Someone suggested drilling tiny (1/16") holes in it at at the low and high marks, and halfway in between. If a hole has fluid in it, the fluid reaches that far.

also with this trans its better to run it around the block then check it. Had a car come in once with what seemed like it was full when check after starting. Ran it around the block and found it was 1/2 quart low. When sitting before actually running threw the gears fluid does drain back to the pan giving you a false full.

FROM BAD TO WORSE ! Took it into town worked fine, on the way home lockup didn't work, then I slowed down to turn in a side street, & it down shifted (by itself) into 2nd alot sooner & harder than normal. NOW it won't shift into 3rd anymore ! Trans fluid Is at Full mark. the kickdown cable seems to be adjusted where at idle, there is alot of slack, like it would almost have to be pulled almost open to start to pull the cable. What Now ???

Hi Lou, I'm not sure but maybe that cable disconnected inside the trans ? Check it out carefully and give reply here, I'll check back later. Ernie

Cable"seems" to be frayed right where it enters the cable housing. I'm thinking MAYBE the cable cannot return "to rest" & is acting like it's in passing gear all the time. I'm Hoping thats all it is, BUT WHERE do I "ACCESS the end of the cable ? From the side cover ?Do I need to drain the trans to pull the side cover ? Anyone got a good cable to sell ? Thanks

Hi Lou, I just looked in my '87 factory service manual. The throttle cable does go into the side cover, so it appears you will have to pull that cover off. My girlfriend will be home in a little while from work and if she's not too tired I'll ask her to post a copy of the page from the manual showing the throttle assembly. I don't think you have to drain the fluid for this because there are gaskets holding the oil back.in the control valve assembly. Hold off until I can post the copy, O.K. ? Ernie

Thanks

Not sure if this will help or not, but this is what alldata states:

Fails to Shift 2-3 or Delayed 2-3 Shift
Notes

NOTE: Check transmission fluid level, set T.V. cable to specifications and check manual linkage before diagnosing shift problems.

1. Incorrect, broken, disconnected or binding T.V. cable.
2. Worn governor cover.
3. Governor thrust washer and seal worn or missing.
4. Governor spring unseated, weights binding or exhaust check balls missing.
5. Governor driven gear stripped or missing.
6. Intermediate servo piston, bore or seal ring damaged.
7. Intermediate servo orifice bleed cup in case missing or case porous in servo bore area.
8. Direct clutch accumulator cup plug or accumulator exhaust check valve leaking or missing.
9. Binding throttle lever and bracket assembly or wrong or disconnected T.V. link
10. 2-3 shift valve, 2-3 T.V. valve or shift T.V. valve sticking or binding.
11. Governor feed to 2-3 valve or direct clutch feed orifice restricted.
12. Valve body spacer plate or gaskets leaking, damaged or incorrectly installed.
13. Missing or mislocated 5 check ball.
14. Governor shaft case sleeve or driven sprocket support oil seal damaged or missing.
15. Direct clutch piston, piston housing or seals damaged.
16. Direct clutch plates or check ball capsule damaged. Backing plate snap ring out of groove.
17. Leaking case center gasket or loose case cover bolts.
18. Leaking, interconnected or restricted driven sprocket support passages.
19. Driven sprocket support oil seal rings missing or damaged.
20. Driven sprocket support sleeve loose or out of position.

and:

Fails to Upshift or Delayed Upshift
Notes

NOTE: Before diagnosing upshift problems, check transmission fluid level, manual linkage and T.V. cable and adjust, if necessary. If a no upshift or a delayed upshift condition continues to exist proceed with diagnosis. Road test vehicle at 30 mph with selector lever in Lo range. Hold throttle steady and shift into Drive range. If a no upshift condition exists:

1. Check governor for cover and seal damage, missing exhaust check balls, unseated springs, binding weights or stripped driven gear.
2. Check intermediate servo for piston or seal damage, porosity in case bore, and piston or apply pin sticking.
3. Check control valve assembly for sticking valves and/or leaking spacer plate gaskets.
4. Check valve body spacer plate governor feed orifice to 1-2 and 2-3 valves and drive to governor orifice.
5. Check for worn or burned intermediate band.
6. Check case cover for porosity, undrilled holes or missing cup plugs.
7. Check case for leaks in governor passages or pipes.
8. Check for leaking 2nd oil passage in case or case cover.

If transmission upshifts after road test described above:

1. Check for broken or unhooked T.V. cable at carburetor or transmission.
2. Check T.V. housing gap at cable housing to snap lock assembly. If a no gap condition exists, check the cable assembly, cable mounting bracket, T.V. link and T.V. lever and bracket for damage. Check for missing or mispositioned T.V. bushing retaining pin.
3. Check T.V. cable for sticking or binding with engine running and transmission in neutral. Pull cable to full T.V. position, release, and make sure cable returns to closed throttle position. If not, check cable routing for bends, T.V. link end for sharp burrs and T.V lever and bracket for proper alignment.
4. Check for incorrect T.V. link.
5. Check for sticking T.V. lever assembly and broken or missing line boost valve.
6. Check T.V. plunger and valve for freeness.
7. Check control valve assembly gaskets and spacer plate for leaks or damage.

also, I found this:

Slow, Early, or Drawn Out Shifts With End Bump
Notes

Slow, Early, or Drawn Out Shifts With End Bump

1. Disconnected or binding T.V. cable.
2. Low oil pressure. Check oil pressure in neutral at full T.V.
3. Intermediate servo piston oil seal missing or damaged.
4. Servo piston damaged.
5. Leak between servo apply pin and case.
6. Intermediate servo band apply pin binding in case.
7. T.V. plunger, T.V. shift valve or 1-2 accumulator valve binding.
8. 1-2 accumulator piston, seal, spring or bore damaged.
9. Incorrect or leaking spacer plate and/or gaskets.
10. Case porous in 2nd, servo apply and/or 1-2 accumulator passages.
11. Burned intermediate band.
12. Case cover improperly torqued.

Procedure for adjusting the TV cable:

Detent/T.V. Cable Adjust





1. Depress and hold metal lock tab.
2. Move slider back through fitting in direction away from throttle idler lever until slider stops against fitting, then release lock tab.
3. Rotate throttle idler lever to full travel stop position.

and here is governor replacement.

Governor Valve Replace
Notes

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove engine to transaxle brace attaching bolts, then the heat shield if equipped.
3. Remove speedometer cable or wire connector from transaxle.
4. Remove speedometer driven gear and sleeve assembly or speed sensor if equipped.
5. Remove governor cover and O-ring.

6. Remove speedometer drive gear thrust washer and gear, then the governor assembly.
7. Reverse procedure to install.

and here is a pic of the TV link in the tranny case :


Hope all this helps. If I find anything else I'll post it.

http://viewmorepics.myspace...5439&imageID=2265776

Hi Lou, here it is, the diagram for your throttle cable. If you need anything else, just let me know and I will try to help. This has the lever assembly layout. Ernie

OK, Now I've got the HOW taken care of, BUT I can't find a CABLE ! Napa, no listing- Advanced no listing, Autozone no listing ! Whats going on Here? ! I can't drive my car because no-one sells a lousy Cable ?!! This isn't a 1902 HUPMOBILE, there were millions of these trans built, WHY are there no parts ?! Not even on Ebay

Oreilly's has them


Pioneer Inc. - Detent (Passing Gear) Cable

Part Number: CA1935
Online:

Available
Store:

Call Store Usually Available in 24 Hours
Add to Wishlist
Price

$21.99 Each


This is not the universal, but the Permanent Fix one.

Hope it helps

Imense Help ! now that I'm calling it a DETENT Cable and not a tcv cable , everyone has them. advanced auto #04225 original, not universal $18-

The only reliable way I've found to check the trans fluid is to let the car sit overnight so it all settles out of the tube then run the car until it's hot. No driving, just let it sit and idle so the torque converter is full etc. Then check the oil. Because it's not moved there's nothing in the tube to screw up the reading. Estimate what to put in, top it up then check the following day again. Slow and painful but accurate.

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

AH, LIFE IS GOOD, SUN IS SHINING 82 DEGREES , It was the cable! $18- 15 minutes as good as new (actually Better than it's been in a year. The ONLY thing to get unbolted from the Trans is the 1 - 10 MM Bolt that holds the cable on ! Thank you all for your help. Everything should be that easy !

LOU, you are very welcome. Always glad to offer any help. Happy motoring ! Ernie