87 4x4 auto transmission problems
Mar 25, 2020 | 09:38 PM
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From: San Diego
87 4x4 auto transmission problems
I have an 87 4x4 pickup automatic with 149,000 miles. About 80% of the time it works fine but the other 20% of the time, it won't shift out of 3rd gear. When you pull out from a red light it's still in 3rd gear. If I manually put it in low it'll start out in first but then sometimes shifts to 3rd without going to second. Most of the time it's perfect. I took it to a tranny shop and he pulled the pan, no metal in the pan at all, said it looks fine and thought it is the a/t computer. I replaced the computer and seems to shift smoother and is maybe a little more reliable but still not 100%. Still starts off in 3rd gear some of the time. Check engine light has never come on. Any ideas on what is going on? Could it be an engine code putting it in safe mode? To complicate things, I have an r150 tranny with an r151 bell housing and everything needed to make the swap but I'm afraid it will never pass California smog again. I talked to the smog referee and he said I could swap it if I replaced the engine computer with one from a truck with a 5 speed manual but it looks like the engine computer has the same number for either tranny. Anyone have any information on engine computers and is there a different one for a manual transmission? Will it ever pass smog if I make the swap. I'd rather get the auto running properly now and make the swap when I have more time. Any advice will be appreciated.
Last edited by Luckie; Mar 25, 2020 at 09:44 PM. Reason: Wrong color text
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