2004.5 48re 2nd gear is short

[Superdawg]

Sorry if this has been hashed over before. I searched and can not find the exact issue with other threads.

With normal throttle, the trans shifts into 2nd gear at about 12mph and into 3rd at about 22mph. If I get on the throttle, it shifts at 15mph and 25mph.

Is 2nd gear supposed to only have a 10mph spread or is this indicative of the need to replace the governor pressure solenoid and the temperature transducer?

I have done the ATF 4 changes at 30k and 60k. Band adj at 60k.

Now has 73k. Trans temp normally runs 150-170 degrees. I lock out OD for city driving.

 

[cerberusiam]

I think you need a little more TV pressure in it to lengthen out the shift points. Depends on where you want it to shift from 2nd to drive but 25 under heavy throttle is a bit short. Shorten th eTV cable so it will raise the pressure with more throttle.

 

[Superdawg]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I have read many of your posts/replies. You seem to be one of the more informed owners with a 48RE. If I remember correctly, there are two cables on the driver side of the trans. One is the gear shift cable. Would that make the other the throttle valve cable?



Are these sensitive enough that 1/8" difference is noticeable?

 

[cerberusiam]

Yep, the second cable is the TV cable.



Yes, 1/8 of inch at the APPS is a BIG difference in pressure at the TV valve. Start tightening the cable till you like where the shifts are and see if that helps.

 

[Superdawg]

Well, I looked at the TV cable. It's kind of hard to see up there but I don't see any way to adjust the cable. The fittings are plastic where the cable meets the bracket.

How is adjustment made?

Is it done at the engine block on the front end of the cable?

 

[cerberusiam]

Directly behind where the cable clips into the bell crank mount (or the hard mounting point of the engine side of the cable), you should see a tab that is inset into the top of the cable. It may show as just a notch but if you use a small screw driver that tab will pop up and the housing will move. To stretch out the shifts you need to move the housing in the mount towards the firewall and then set the clip again to hold it.



Let me see if I can find a pic of that operation.

 

[Superdawg]

mission accomplished!

On my truck, the engine side of the TV cable has a C shaped clip holding the adjustment. I removed the clip and found out the cable, under spring tension, moved out toward the cab. I had no idea where the original placement of the cable was.....

Note to self, measure location of cable prior to removing clip. There is a blue mark on the cable about 4" from the mounting bracket. Probably for measurements... ...

Anyhow, several short drives and minor adjustments later, I think I like where it is shifting now. A couple of longer drives soon will be telling also.

Now that I know how it works, it's easy to do by feel (because it is hard to see w/ all the junk in the way). Hold the cable in place w/ one hand, partially remove the clip, pull cable out 1/8 or so, push clip back in. Done!

Thanks Cerberusiam for your advice.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yep, you got it. Play with that adjustment as the cable will stretch over time and TV pressure changes also.



Glad I could help and it was simple.