1986 A/T

[Ron Earl]

I have a 1986E Coupe with A/T. When I put it into drive the engagement is excessively harsh, as if the idle is too high but the idle is 700 RPM. I checked the U joints as much I could without removing the exhaust, I feel no play at all. Any Ideas?

Thanks,
Ron

[Joe C.]

Re: 1986 A/T

Sounds normal, too Ron. It's difficult to understand each person's description of "harsh". I'm not sure how long you've owned your 1986, but the early C4's, especially those with Z51, were essentially SS prepared race cars (John Powell used them for his Corvette Challenge series in 1988-89)right off the showroon floor. They were stock 4+3 speed coupes with roll cages, 2 way radios, 6 point harnesses, and disabled ABS systems. I drove a Powell car (#13) at his school in Mosport, Ontario, in 1988.
The L98, being a "torque monster" just loves being married to the 700R4, with it's short first gear. Only, try to keep some rubber on your rear tires!

Joe

[William C.]

Re: 1986 A/T

Have you checked the TV cable adjustment? That looks like the place to start from the service manual, also incorrect TV pressure (too high) woild result in the symptom you are describing.

[Don G.]

Re: 1986 A/T

I also have an '86 automatic. I experienced the same condition. In preparation for PV testing, I took it to an automatic transmission shop to have it checked out. After thorough review, the technician said it was performing normally for this model. He said later C4's have a dampener mechanism that solves the problem. He wrote the following on the service order:

CHECK TRANSMISSION FOR HARSH ENGAGEMENT IN DR NPF TRANSMISSION IS PRE ACCUMULATED FOR HARSH ENGAGEMENT DRIVELINE PLAY NORMAL IDLE SPEED OK FLUIDS CLEAR/CLEAN NO RECOMMENDED SERVICE

By the way, I passed the PV.

[Art B.]

Re: 1986 A/T

Ron: I have an early '86 Coupe with automatic. It normally idles at about 700 RPM also. I have just gotten into the habit of keeping my foot on the brake when shifting into Drive, otherwise I experience the same harshness.