1991 AWD Astro transmission problem

[BonesMachine]

I just bought it knowing it had some issues. I'm trying to figure out if the tranny can be fixed without taking it out. The very first time I drove it it was 100% fine for about 5 miles and then it started shifting very late and letting the engine rev too high, i think it was also slipping a little.

Then I changed the tranny filter and fluid and included some additive. Took it for a long drive and it was better just shifting a little hard. Later that night I drove it again and it was perfect, shifted like butter at just the right time.

Then the next day i drove it and it was shifting very very late all the way through the gears and letting the engine rev way too high before shifting. If i drive it hard it seems to shift almost on time. And that's where I am at now. i still have hope that it's an easy fix because i have witnessed it perform very well. Any ideas as to what could be causing it to shift very late???? thanks...

[gtkane]

The govenor is sticking.
Remove the round "dust cover" on the side of the trans and slide the govenor out. Free it up with penetrating fluid and solvent.
Pop it back in and give it a go.

[BonesMachine]

hey thanks. i'm new to this transmission and trying to find the governor 'dust cover'. i don't know what it looks like or exactly where it is on the trans. is it part of the speedometer cable or the bell thing next to that? can't seem to find any diagrams online with the governor included. Thanks

[offroad safari]

its on the driver's side of the trans near the tail shaft, its a round cover approx. 3" across., possibly the bell shaped cover you are looking at. here's a video i found the other day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9rvTTUeMH8 around the 1:45 mark

[Gary]

A mis-adjusted TV cable might do that too.

[BonesMachine]

i took the governor out and it seemed to be moving pretty freely but this was the first governor i have ever seen so not 100% sure but the springs and everything seemed ok. i cleaned it and put it back in and it's still shifting late. it's shifting a little sooner though it was a pint low on fluid. i have 2 questions.

is the fluid under the governor "dust cover" under any kind of pressure? because i kind of messed up the cover getting it out and i ghetto sealed it when putting it back in.

i see what looks to be a vacuum line going into the trans not a tv cable. my understanding is that it's one or the other. do 91 AWD's have a vacuum line or tv cable?

Thanks for the help

[chevymaher]

He said Getto Seal Sorry that was killin me.I been lookin chiltons says they got tv cable.does it have diaphram at end of vacuum line?There two possible trannies it sayin.

[gtkane]

Having a vac line to the trans would indicate that you have a turbo 350 trans, not a 700r4.
The TH350 trans was not available in 1991...maybe the previous owner stabbed it in there.
What is the shape of the trans pan like? Is it square with one corner cut off?

[BonesMachine]

looks like i have the 700r4. i think i was looking at something going into the transfer case. i'm new to transmissions not just this one. i'll take a look at the tv cable and adjusting it.

[BonesMachine]

too bad you can't search for the term "tv" on this forum.

can i burn up the trans by driving it when it's shifting late?

[chevymaher]

My opinion the shifting late just a pain dont think there be any real adverse affects on tranny. But you also mentioned that it seems like it slipping that definately would hurt it.