Lately my 700r4 has developed an issue with the 1-2 shift. First gear feels fine however under part throttle it really never fully engages second it just seems to slide through the gear revving above normal until it shifts to third. However, under WOT (which I was nervous to try) it has a nice firm 1-2 and 2-3 shift. So that makes me think the tranny may not be going south. A little background on the tranny is it has around 30k miles on it and I changed the fluid and filter about 10k ago. I also adjusted the governor around 10k miles ago and the tranny has been hitting the 7000 rpm rev limiter before it shifts at times which I have been meaning to fix but have been mostly avoiding WOT shifts in the meantime.

Do you guys thing getting the governor adjusted correctly (around 6700 rpm shifts) would fix this issue or do I just need to start saving for a new tranny? I have already checked the TV cable and the fluid level is correct nor does it smell burnt.

You may have a broken spring in the 1-2 shift thingy (cant remember the name for it) inside the valve body. I had the exact same problem. When I got into the trans the spring that loaded the line pressure for the 1-2 shift was broken. It also seemed a little lighter than the replacement one I got off of a Camaro at the junk yard.

Check for sticky piston under servo cover on rt side of trans.You will need new o-rings before you pull the cover as you will have to cut the outer one to get the cover off.
2nd/4th are band engaged by servo pressure....may not be enough pressure at low throttle.....and it may be sticking engaged wearing the band.

You may have a broken spring in the 1-2 shift thingy (cant remember the name for it) inside the valve body. I had the exact same problem. When I got into the trans the spring that loaded the line pressure for the 1-2 shift was broken. It also seemed a little lighter than the replacement one I got off of a Camaro at the junk yard.


I believe he is talking about the accumulator spring. That will make for a mushy shift that it just slides through the gear.

Thanks for the tips guys. Based on your info I think I better check the accumulator spring first because it shifts into 4th just fine. However, I might as well check the Servo also while I have the pan dropped and all the fluid out.

Any other ideas? Just want to make sure I check everything once I have it apart.