1985 GT V6:

All of a sudden I can't get the gear shifter to go to third gear - it's a four speed '85 V6.

After achieving 2nd gear I CAN get to 3rd by moving the shifter all the way to the left (where reverse is located - but not into reverse) - and only then can I move the shifter into third gear.

All other gears work fine, but since this started happening I also tried going directly from 2nd to 4th but that also does not work.

It took about a week to discover that I can access 3rd after moving the shifter all the way to the left then back to 3rd.

It was discomforting to blast from 1st to 2nd at a stop-light then keep slowing down as others passed me with their horns honking ( I'm used to being in the fast lane ) while I struggled to get the ***** into 3rd.

I drove to work yesterday at a mind-blowing 25mph - 2nd gear all the way, rural.

The (agh I can't think of the name of it) thing that contains the brake fluid stuff under the hood reads full but I can't seem to unscrew it - it's jammed tight. It looks full. It serves as a hydrualic gear shift thing.

Any hintz?

I would say remove the shift plate cover and examine move the shifter thru the motions and see if it is moving or flexing when you shift. If the shifter mounting is moving, it is broken and should be rewelded.

Another possibility is that the selector cable is either loose, stretched, or out of adjustment. I'd vote for loose. Try adjusting the cables per the manual instructions. Good luck!

Phil

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GTDude
OVER 25 years GM experience