Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

C6 shifting problem. Need advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 5, 2004 | 10:24 PM
  #1  
TdiRAcing's Avatar
TdiRAcing
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
C6 shifting problem. Need advice

My 1983 C6 2WD is only shifting into first and second, but not third? What causes something like this? I got the truck with bad headgaskets and finally got it on the road tonight and noticed a shifting problem now. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 01:31 AM
  #2  
Spectramac's Avatar
Spectramac
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, WA
Check the kick down rod that goes down from the pump to the trans. Maybe it's stuck down in passing gear. Just a thought.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 06:07 AM
  #3  
bilder12's Avatar
bilder12
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Pa - USA
Might also have the vacuum switch messed up on the throttle lever and it is closed. Just a thought.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 06:14 AM
  #4  
Bjarni_Richter's Avatar
Bjarni_Richter
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Iceland
Check the level of transmissionfluid. My van only shifted into second gear when I lost alot of my transmission fluid once. Just a thought as well.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 08:33 AM
  #5  
mistakenID's Avatar
mistakenID
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 0
From: West Valley Utah
Check the vaccum line to the modulator on the right (passenger) side of the tranny.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 08:57 AM
  #6  
89ford73's Avatar
89ford73
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 1
floor it and see how fast it will run, you won't blow it up, but it may start shifting with some rough treatment. and sometimes, if you put it in neutral, it will shift to 3rd. can you hear-feel every click? park, reverse, neutral, 3,2,1? there should be 5 clicks, put it in the 3rd click no matter what the little thingy on the dash says and then run the **** outta it for a little while. it may start acting fine. just a thought
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 09:15 AM
  #7  
Don Senkow's Avatar
Don Senkow
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Assuming you have reverse, the hard parts of trans are working. If the modulator was not working, the 1,2 shift would be delayed. Make sure you have proper vaccum at the modulator (maybe the vaccum is low) and that the shifter is properly adjusted.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 12:32 PM
  #8  
TdiRAcing's Avatar
TdiRAcing
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I have the proper fluid level. I have no leaks that are visible. I do not have the kick-down rod in place. It was not fitting properly, so I just left it off. I get all the clicks, and I have reverse, neutral and 1 and 2 gear. I will get out there and check the modulator. How much vacuum should I be getting there?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 6, 2004 | 12:50 PM
  #9  
Don Senkow's Avatar
Don Senkow
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Canada
The modulator receives its signal from the Vacuum Regulator Valve located on the side of the Injection pump. Compare the vacuum on the vacuum pump side of the VRV (engine running) with the vacuum at the modulator at idle they should be close. (Must be at least 13 in.) When you apply throttle the vacuum to the modulator should drop . The VRV is adjustable. Also make sure the modulator is not leaking Trans fluid and can hold a vacuum.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 02:19 PM
  #10  
TdiRAcing's Avatar
TdiRAcing
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Is it possible for the kick down mechanism in the tranny to not work? I moved the lever all the way in woth directions, and no difference. Still no third gear. I will check the modulator. I was told by a tranny guy that 3rd gear is the weak point in the C6. Maybe third gear is bad? How can I tell what kind if modulator I have "green stipe" or "purple Stripe"?
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 03:58 PM
  #11  
Don Senkow's Avatar
Don Senkow
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Canada
High gear in a C6 uses the forward clutch. This is used in all fwd. gears. It also uses the reverse/high clutch. If the truck will back up that clutch must be working. If you have first and second the forward clutch must work. Try reverse with the brakes on to see if the reverse/high slips. if the engine revs high maybe that cluch is slipping.
The modulator will have that colour stripe on the body. Don

 

Last edited by Don Senkow; Nov 8, 2004 at 04:01 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 04:04 PM
  #12  
TdiRAcing's Avatar
TdiRAcing
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Great. Will try that. I will also try to adjust or check the VRV. Not sure how, but will look at it tonight. Also, I will try to put the kick down rod back in place and see where things line up. Maybe the kick down sensor is stuck in the 2nd gear possition. I moved it all the way front, and all the way back, with no difference. Maybe I will try to make it fit correctly and install it rather than leaving it off.(it hits the IP a bit). Maybe some bending would help that problem.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 04:17 PM
  #13  
bilder12's Avatar
bilder12
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Pa - USA
Was the tranny working before ? what happened to remove the kick down rod? Maybe the kickdown linkage (on the trans) is set for second and slipped off the cam.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2004 | 05:26 PM
  #14  
Don Senkow's Avatar
Don Senkow
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Canada
The kick down, if it was a problem would cause the 1 ,2 shift to be delayed. The trans should work fine without it. Not likely your problem. Don
 
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2004 | 09:30 AM
  #15  
TdiRAcing's Avatar
TdiRAcing
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I was under the impression that the kickdown mechanism can keep it in 2 gear? I got this truck and it had head gasket problems, so I took it appart to fix that. I never drove it before now, so I don't know what happened. I am trying to dignose the issues without knowing history. Now the engine runs good, and I just need to figure out tthe tranny problem. Have not had a chance to work on it again. I will need to check vaccuum and modulator, next.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:00 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE