I think my transmission needs to be rebuilt but wanted to know if anybody ever encountered this problem. It seems my second gear synchro is having problems. I can shift up through all the gears without a problem but can't downshift into second until the car is stopped, I can shift from third into first and then into second but not straight into second. Like I said I have no problems shifting from first into second at any rpm but once I'm out of second I can't get back into second.

first check the small stufflike fluid level of the tranny and of the hydraulic reservior. Have you ever changed the fluid? If so did you use the right atf?

Also take the ring off from around the shifter and make sure the bolts are all tight on the shifter where it mounts to the tranny since i see you have an aftermarket

Wasn't an auto swap was it

Nope.


Yeah I'll check all the small stuff, already checked the shifter.

sounds like the keys or the syncrho's where the keys sit are messed up, allowing the synchro ring to rotate too far on the down shifting side.

will it grind at all when trying to downshift?

No grind, just won't let me in.

almost sounds to me like the skip shift is getting in the way. I don't remember how exactly it works but i believe it pops out on like a selenoid maybe it is blocking you out. Do you have a tune or it disabled?

Isnt that just a upshift when it goes from 1-4?

I thought that but the skip shift works the other way, makes you shift from 1 to 4. I have the skip shift eliminator but I'm wondering if it's messing up and not letting me downshift. This wasn't a gradual problem, it just happened and hasn't gone away.

Just cause it works the right way doesn't mean it isn't malfunctioning I have heard of it malfunctioning before some have even taken the trans apart and welded it open. it's a little rod that pops out blocking the shift

easy test if its the skip shift.. unplug it

I will unplug the eliminator and put it back to stock and see if that helps any.

if you just let the plug dangle the skip shift will be deactivated.. but it might give you a check engine light

The skip shift harness is just 2 weather proof plugs that stop shit from getting into each end of the wiring on the trans. Like mentioned above, unplugging it is all that is needed to bypass the CAGS. How many miles are on the trans?

definetly sounds like a synchro or shift fork my tranny did the same thing i had don build my tranny and it ended up being both the shift fork annd the synchro i think a full build is like a thousand or so and thats replacing almost everything

If thats the case, then I would suggest just buying another used transmission and just swapping it out if you need the car back on the road asap.

Don had my tranny done in two or three days and good luck trying to find a decent tranny for less than a tgousand. Those ethings are hard to find

ya you aint lying there. I just did some looking around. I thought he had the LT1 until I went back and looked at his car.

talk to james (badmax) his business partner is or was the gm tranny tech. shoot him a pm. there shop is in bristol

ahhh yes I cant believe I fogot about them doing transmission work. Take it there then, you wont be dissapointed