Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2025 11:02:27 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Sad transmission news
In-Reply-To: <DM6PR06MB466790C91CDDB1B4E9F7B52AA01EA@DM6PR06MB4667.namprd06.prod.outlook.com>
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Hi Dennis,
Thanks for the thoughts and the reminders about the filters.
Though unless the filters can cause this behavior I’m beyond my skill level with the other suggestions. So, plan is to change over to the used transmission I purchased some time ago and hope it works. Then work on getting this one shipped out for evaluation or rebuild.
Eric Caron
85 Auto
> On Sep 25, 2025, at 11:57 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> Seems like I still do not first posts to the list.
>
> There are some relatively simple things to check for failure or delayed up shift.
> First would be to check the filter. You also have a 2nd filter going to the oil cooler. Next is to pull the governor out and make sure the weights are free to move and there is no debris in the passages.
> Problem could also be a hung spool valve in the valve body.
> A tranny person could drop the pan and valve body and use compressed air to actually test the pistons for the clutches and the 2nd gear brake band.
> There are pressure tests that can also be done to confirm pump pressure and valve body-piston operation.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Rick Cooper
> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2025 9:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Sad transmission news
>
> Hi Eric,
>
> Sorry to hear about your transmission problems. My '87 also has an auto trans and when I purchased the vehicle, it was not functioning. Wouldn't not move forward at all, only reverse worked. I had it rebuilt by a locally-owned and operated general transmission shop and, now ten years later, I haven't had any problems with it at all. I recall the mechanic saying that they are a very simple transmission compared to today's electronic versions.
>
> So while reading your story, I thought I would suggest the same to you. Until your last sentence, that you'd had it recently rebuilt. My first thought would be to speak with the rebuilder -- he may know immediately what is causing your symptoms.
>
> Good luck with it, Rick
>
>
> On Thu, 25 Sep 2025, at 18:42, Eric Caron wrote:
>> Hi friends,
>>
>> My auto transmission in my 85 is not shifting into third gear. This problem has been increasing. Also, when going down hill, the transmission increasingly feels like it is binding or holding back. Not fully like if in second gear but something like that.
>>
>> I thought the issue was that the shifter was not fully in drive, but even wiggling and checking this is having less and less of an impact. On the last situation, My wife turned the van around after about 4 miles and took it home as it was not shifting into third.
>>
>> Any thoughts from folks on what causes this to happen in a fairly newly rebuilt transmission?
>>
>> I’m trying to figure out my next steps.
>>
>> Eric Caron
>>
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