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"2nd gear start"

B

bjhartogh

New member
i just bought a 1994 grand prix se with a 3.1 and 4spd auto. the car has a 2nd gear start switch on the bottom of the dash and it feels like its on whether i have the switch turned on or off. it revs pretty hard to get rolling but once i'm moving it acts just fine and shifts up like it should, the car just isn't starting in first gear (even if i pull the shifter down into 1st). the car seems to have a few electrical issues (lights get dim and brighten and the blower motor for the heat will randomly slow down and speed up while driving).has anyone had an issue like this or give me an idea of where to start looking?
 


these transmissions are electronic shift so yes the electrical problem has got to be found. check where the battery cable bolts on to the fuse box under the hood, mine was broke and was touching some metal and grounding out. also it could be a trans issue. usually the trans will go in first manually. i would guess electrical is your problem. u can check your connection at your starter too. sometimes they will be touching the block. had a 97 gtp thet was going thru some stuff, thats wat it was the pos on the starter was touching the block, i saw the starter was new so whoever installed it was not too bright, =) let us know
 
k thanks i'll check it out tomorrow, this car also has a new starter and it still clicks sometimes when you hit the key to try to start it. the spedometer also jumps around so id say there are definetly some electric issues, i've been finding out more as i drive the car
 
well i clean and tightened the contacts on the battery and the contacts on the fuse panels and went through all the fuses i could possibly think of and it fixed just about everything except the radiator fans not working and the tranny still wont shift to first! :th_angry-cussing: could it be a shift solenoid in the transmission?
 
no still having troubles. i also noticed its not going into OD. i can set the cruise and 60mph (revving just shy of 3000rpms) and pull it down to 3rd gear with the shifter and nothing changes
 


As far as the cooling fans goes, its usually in the relay. Either a bad relay or poor connection. You can try replacing the relay, fixing the connections, or run the fans directly to the ignition. You can do so by jumping two of the relay connectors together with a fuse lined wire, or by simply taking out the temperature sensor. However, removing the sensor will give you an engine code as well as your temp gauge will no longer work, but the fans will turn on when you turn your key. In cold conditions, you will want to monitor your temp so it doesn't run too cold. Hope that helps your cooling issues. ;D
 
What I have found to help with alot of electrical issues including transmission shift problems is the ignition switch, You can replace this if you have a fair amount of mechanical knowledge without pulling the steering wheel, I did mine in the driveway in about 20 minutes.
 
The problem here is the shift solenoid located inside the transmission (looking from the drivers side) upper left solenoid. That controls first and fourth gear. Another possibility could be the wiring harness inside the transmission.
 


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