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Subject:Re: UPDATE: stuck in 4th something strange going on
From:jimt
Date:Thu, 4 Nov 2004 14:46:49 -0700

On 11/4/04 2:32 PM, "Chris" <chris@MCCLURKEN.COM> wrote:

> First of all I'd like to thank all the list members for their help and
> advise. I'd be lost without you guys.
> 
> I had the van towed back to my place yesterday and haven't touched it
> till just a minute ago. I was going to check the linkage again the best
> I could. I got in the van and to my great surprise, SHIFTED TO 3RD!
> Then 2nd, 1st, reverse, back up to 4th and back down again. It felt
> just fine.
> 
> What the heck does this mean?? The only thing that happened was the
> towing and a temperature drop after a cold front. I guess this means
> it's not the linkage unless something is binding.
> 
> One thing did happen during that trip to Atlanta last week.... my
> parking brake/E-brake seemed much tighter than normal for a couple of
> days then went back to normal. I still don't know if it was my
> imagination or not and can't imagine how it'd have anything to do with
> this problem.
> 
> I'm still not going to drive it till I figure out what the heck is
> going on. Anyone have a clue?
> 
> Thanks again,
> Chris
> 85 GL
> 
> 
This sound more like the shifter lever back at the tranny may have gotten
iced up or something and is also badly worn.  The vibration of the tow may
have shaken loose the binding part.  While checking out a van with a shift
problem a while back I pulled on the lever back at the tranny and felt a
definite pop of something changing position.  Went back up front and
everything shifted fine again.  Don�t know exactly what was binding but I
suspect worn parts.

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jimt
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Remember that sanity is optional.
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