Auto tranny in my 88 is not shifting right. It shifts at rpms which are way too high. Have to get it up to 90 to shift into OD. When this first started happening it would shift fine when you first started driving but after about 30 min. on the road the shift points would keep getting higher and higher. Shifting shock was also bad when initially putting it in gear. My first thought was the vaccume diaphram. I replaced it with a new one. Now the shift points are way too high as soon as I start driving. The excessive shifting shock when intially putting it into gear is now gone however. Any thoughts on where to go from here? Please don't tell me to put in a 5 speed. That is really not an option here. I need to get the auto working right.

 

that sounds like the start of my problems, i ended up do a 5spd swap and it was the best choice hands down. i would check the fluid and maybe replace it, but if the fluid is compleate crap it might make it worse once you change the fluid. honestly it will probably be cheaper to do the 5spd swap than to rebuild your current auto, or if you can find an auto tranny that is in better condition.

 

i changed the auto out twice, and just finished a 5spd swap a little over a month ago... Entirely different car!

 

Again, a 5 speed swap is not an option. I am selling the car. The buyer wants the auto. I can't afford a rebuild or a 5 speed swap without losing money. I feel like this is a problem that may not require a rebuild and is a valve or switch that is malfunctioning. I don't want to replace a bunch of things that are working trying to find the one thing that is not working. So far, I have changed the fluid and filter (no change in problem). I replaced the vaccum diaphram modulator (shifting shock went away but shift points remain way too high). What should I look at next. FSM trouble shooting guide says to look at the kickdown solenoid next. Is there a test for this part? Is there something else that may be the culprit?

 

Your best bet is to find a KNOWLEGIBLE Automatic tranny shop that knows JATCO trannies. Must enthusiasts have no use for the stock auto-tranny and havent bothered to learn about it, myself included

 

I second that. Nobody with an rx-7 wants the auto tranny, so nobody has ever bothered to learn about how to fix it. IN fact, even when they're "right" (including rebuilt) they shift poorly and inconsistently.

Perhaps you should inform whoever is buying the car exactly what they are getting into here.

I have a good tranny guy in Newport, TN I can recommend, who does all my work...rebuilt my 4l60E in my z-71, and my wife's millenia trans. HE isnt cheap, but I'd put his work up against anyone in all of east TN.