Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:20:56 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Auto transmission not shifting question
In-Reply-To: <3B390E1B-ACFD-435C-8E4A-E827368F0503@icloud.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Jeff,
This is a fairly new development, and I’m hoping it is just requiring us to make sure the shifter is fully in drive. Time will tell. Now that we are paying attention, it doesn’t seem to be happeining, but it is early days. But, like you once it shifts once it seems happy.
Hoping it is solved by thoughtful shifter placement.
Eric Caron
85 Auto
> On Jul 22, 2025, at 6:05 AM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM> wrote:
>
> I. Had that problem for many years when the transmission was cold. It was worse in cold weather. I would drive in second until it warmed up. After it shifted into third once, all was well. If I recall it was because of a dirty valve body? I eventually had it rebuilt and that solved the problem. Good luck!
> Jeff
> 85 Westfalia
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jul 21, 2025, at 11:43 PM, Ray Brubaker <rayandmerle@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I'm living with a long standing problem of mine not shifting into 3rd when
>> it is hot. If I back off the power, it will shift and then I can apply
>> power again and it will stay in 3rd. It also sometimes needs a little blip
>> of the throttle to get it to go into reverse and then it goes in hard. In
>> 2018 I spoke with a trans overhaul shop about this and whether to try an
>> additive like Lucas. He said the additives are good now and it would be
>> worth a try. I changed the fluid and added Lucas. It helped for a while but
>> the problem has returned. It will always shift when I let off the power and
>> let the RPM drop about 1000. The torque converter is slinging a small
>> amount of fluid so there is a seal leak there, so my tranny is tired.. I
>> don't usually drive it far these days.
>>
>> Ray
>>
>>> On Fri, Jul 18, 2025 at 10:57 PM Dug Smith <dug@dugbert.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Eric,
>>>
>>> I had a similar behaviour when a seal in the torque converter failed.
>>>
>>> I would say make sure it's actually in Drive rather than looking like
>>> it's in Drive but it's actually in 2.
>>>
>>> Low or dirty fluid could do that too, but if the fluid level's low,
>>> where did it go?
>>>
>>>> On 7/18/2025 19:50, Eric Caron wrote:
>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>
>>>> Today we set out in the 85 Auto for a short trip. A little way
>>> from home I noticed that the transmission had not shifted into third gear
>>> even though we were moving at 38,000 RPM and 45 mph.
>>>>
>>>> This happened yesterday morning as well but we thought it was driver
>>> error. And, looking back, it happened a couple weeks ago.
>>>> Any thoughts as to why the transmission would not change to third gear?
>>>>
>>>> It so far only happens once at the start of a trip.
>>>>
>>>> I’ll get it hot and check transmission fluid level tomorrow.
>>>>
>>>> Not sure if fluid level could even be a factor.
>>>>
>>>> Any tips or suggestions appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>> 85 Auto
>>>
>>> toodle pip,
>>> --
>>> Dug Smith | Terry Pratchett: It's almost
>>> (mailto:dug@dugbert.com) | impossible to ride a rock and roll
>>> (http://www.dugbert.com) | motorbike and stay on for three verses.
>>>
| 
