check the ball pivot at the top of the trans lever, where the throttle cable
goes.
I've seen those rusted solid, so that it can't pivot there, and have
wondered if that would affect shifting ..............as it feels like you
are giving it lots of throttle at the pedal, but the lever on the trans
might not be getting the full travel it needs.

for a really good ATF - ...........Royal Purple.
I made myself a little 'pump fluids out' rig............for changing out
some of the ATF through the filler tube.
For a small amount of effort, it's a nice improvement over leaving old atf
in there.
If I pump out 3 qts of old conventional AFT, and put in 3 qts of Royal
Purple ATF, I swear, the van goes 10 % better, just from the fluid change.
scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Allan Streib" <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 8:13 AM
Subject: Re: 1985 GL Automatic transmission issues

> Rob <becida@COMCAST.NET> writes:
>
>> At  11/8/2008 03:03 PM, aaron bright wrote:
>>>I have a 1985 1.9L GL that is starting to have an issue with
>>>changing gears from 2nd to 3rd.  If someone could please give me
>>>some of the simple suggestions to try before opting for a rebuilt
>>>tranny.....   Thank you, Aaron Bright Louisville, KY
>>
>> I know very little about automatic transmissions but the guy who ran
>> the transmission shop across the road told me the first, the best, the
>> easiest and the cheapest thing you can do for an automatic
>> transmission problem is to change the fluid. If that doesn't help then
>> it's time to get into something more expensive.
>
> I've had very good luck using Mobil-1 transmission fluid.  It has helped
> clear up a problem in another vehicle where shifting was troublesome.
> Also I've heard from others who had similar experiences.
>
> Costs a bit more, but certainly less than any shop work will.  Use a new
> filter of course, as well.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL