1972 Cutlass Supreme auto trans problem

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Old April 25th, 2021, 06:55 AM
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1972 Cutlass Supreme auto trans problem

Hello good people. Just joined, first time posting. I have a 72 C S, 350 with stock automatic transmission, 100K miles. Everything was running and driving fine. The fuel pump went out and so I garaged the car for about 5 months before I could get to the fuel pump. After replacing pump, starts right up every time, BUT... now I have no transmission. Shifting has no results. No fluid on garage floor. Fluid on dipstick looks clean. Worked fine before the short storage. HELP! Thanks anyone.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 07:07 AM
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What is the level of transmission fluid?
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Old April 25th, 2021, 07:12 AM
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Is the shift linkage connected and moving the linkage at the LF side of the transmission? Have one person move the shifter and another person watch the linkage at the side of the transmission. Do this with foot on brake, no need to start nor lift the car.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 07:41 AM
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I dont know if I am checking correctly. Since I cant drive it, I can let it run up to operating temp, put it in Park, and check while running. Would this be correct? Thanks
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Old April 25th, 2021, 07:42 AM
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I will get another set of eyes, and try that. Thanks
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Old April 25th, 2021, 08:11 AM
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I believe what Sugar Bear is saying is without starting the car, go underneath look at trans linkage position then back in car and move trans linkage, go back under car - does linkage move? Set parking brake so car doesn’t move.

Last edited by Vintage Chief; April 25th, 2021 at 08:14 AM.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 08:35 AM
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Yes, thanks.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 08:40 AM
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Correct without starting the car and keeping the brakes applied.

Back in the day..."friends" used to disconnect this kind of stuff just to mess with each other.

A tech next to me did an overhaul and was putting his trademark on the nice running engine, a clean shiny air cleaner assembly when he noticed a new compression ring on his workbench😎. It definitely made him think but he was filled in quickly, we didn't let it go too far. The ring was borrowed from the parts department, they were more than happy to participate!
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Old April 25th, 2021, 08:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Mark Merritt
Yes, thanks.
Not sure what your ‘Yes’ means. Are you saying yes the linkage moves in the appropriate directions?
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Old April 25th, 2021, 08:48 AM
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I’ll just mention this since it’s only too obvious. It working fine before storage. Next you changed fuel pump (OEM?), then no transmission. Double check your work area. Did you bump, move, hit, tap, remove forget to reassemble while working on fuel pump? Just seems fuel pump work is consistent with last known good operation before you changed fuel pump.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 08:50 AM
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Sugar Bear - You had wicked friends!
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Old April 25th, 2021, 09:12 AM
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Only work area was around fuel pump replacement up front towards passenger side. Fuel lines on and off, an additional inline fuel filter installed before fuel pump. Any chance if the rubber vacuum hose on the trans shift modulator leaks, that it would cause the no shifting? Thanks
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Old April 25th, 2021, 09:27 AM
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My only first hand experience regarding the ATM (Automatic Transmission Modulator) had involved inconsistent shifting at speed and not the inability of the transmission to engage. This is on my 1971 CS w/ TH350. I can’t speak directly to your application - someone will chime in. The setup on a 1972 is a little different as I recall. Isn’t there an electrical connection on yours? Trans solenoid?

When you say “leak” do you mean a vacuum leak or fluid leaking from ATM at the trans? I know you earlier stated no fluid leaks.

Last edited by Vintage Chief; April 25th, 2021 at 09:30 AM.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 09:31 AM
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Have you checked the linkage movement, yet?
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Old April 25th, 2021, 09:50 AM
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Vacuum leak, haven't been able to out to the car yet. Thanks
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Old April 25th, 2021, 09:53 AM
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I am a Model A guy, just getting into the Cutlass. Dont know if there is a trans solenoid on the 72. Anybody know ??? Thanks all.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 10:45 AM
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On a 72 there might be a solenoid for TCS spark advancement but it has nothing to do with shifting or the problem you are encountering.

Good luck!!!
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Old April 25th, 2021, 10:55 AM
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Can you feel the detents as you move the shift lever thru all positions? If yes, no shift linkage issue.

What is fluid level on the dipstick COLD?

Do you hear any buzzing or gurgling when the transmission tries to engage?

Vacuum modulator and TCS do not affect transmission engagement. Either you're low on fluid or something has stuck internally while the car sat idle.
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Old April 25th, 2021, 02:06 PM
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Assuming it isn't something simple like low fluid level or disconnected shift linkage, your next step is to drop the pan. Verify that the filter did not fall out of place. Verify that the filter isn't completely plugged. Verify that when you move the shifter, the link from the sector inside the trans causes the manual valve to move in the valve body.



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