hello, I know I''ve asked this question before but it still isnt very clear to me. My formula v6 auto shift at a little over 6000 rpm if I let it shift on its own. I reckon this is too late, right? or is this normal? well anyways, if it is too late, how can I adjust this shifting point? I"m scared of messing up my motor like this. It''s the stock th125 with stock 2.8 v6. Any help will be appreciated. I know it has something to do with a cable but when i tried to find this cable I couldn't adjust it. Well thanks in advance.

quote Originally posted by willempie: hello, I know I''ve asked this question before but it still isnt very clear to me. My formula v6 auto shift at a little over 6000 rpm if I let it shift on its own. I reckon this is too late, right? or is this normal? well anyways, if it is too late, how can I adjust this shifting point? I"m scared of messing up my motor like this. It''s the stock th125 with stock 2.8 v6. Any help will be appreciated. I know it has something to do with a cable but when i tried to find this cable I couldn't adjust it. Well thanks in advance.

Sounds like the TV cable is misadjusted, kinked, or broken. The TV cable (or kickdown cable) connects to the throttle body runs around the front of the engine (a clip on the thermostat housing holds it down). It then connects to the top of the tranny, a 10mm bolt holds it to the tranny. Inside is an "L" shaped wire connector that connects the cable to another cable in the tranny. The TV cable regulates hydraulic pressure.

If the TV cable is out of adjustment, it can cause an internal leak in the tranny, delayed shifts are a symptom. Fix it! or the tranny will start to slip (3rd gear, then 2nd, then 1st, then nothing). You will then have to completely rebuild the tranny.

The cable connects to a bracket on the TB linkage. As the years go by the plastic ratcheting system can crack, or the cable can stretch etc.

Fiero Store used to sell them, but I'm not sure if they still do.............Paul

thanks for your reaction. I know that the previous owner already rebuilt the tranny, so could it be that they just adjusted that tv cable wrong? so what should I do now then? where can the cable be adjusted? and can I check if that linkage is still alright without having to take anything major apart?thanks

[This message has been edited by willempie (edited 11-04-2005).]

quote Originally posted by willempie: thanks for your reaction. I know that the previous owner already rebuilt the tranny, so could it be that they just adjusted that tv cable wrong? so what should I do now then? where can the cable be adjusted? and can I check if that linkage is still alright without having to take anything major apart?thanks

If you have a Haynes manual there is a picture and a procedure on proper adjustment. You must first determine if the cable is OK. I normally take it off and pull the cable back and forth to see if there is any resistance. Then inspect the cable cover for kinks, breaks, burns etc.
The end of the cable that attaches to the TB snaps into a bracket that also houses the throttle cable. The TB end of the TV cable has a "ratcheting" mechanism and a release button underneath. Press the release button and push the ratchet all the way in (towards battery), snap the cable back into the bracket, attach the actual cable to the TB.
Then slowly rotate the TB by hand to WOT, the TV cable will ratchet to the correct position (assuming there is no damage to the cable or ratcheting mechanism).
If the TV cable is damaged it must be replaced. You can push the release button and push the ratchet in (towards battery) 2-5 "clicks", that will increase pressure and firm up shifts, but if the cable is damaged it will return to its former position......Paul

[This message has been edited by Paul Prince (edited 11-04-2005).]

I just checked the cable and it seems to be fine. There is no damage to the cable cover and if I pull it out a little, I can do this for a little less than an inch. There is some resistance but not real strong. Just enough to move the cable back into its position. I'm really sorry for my not understanding. But I just don't see the release , ratchet thing. And how to I rotate the tb lever? should I disconnect the throttle cable then? Sorry, I am Dutch and my English is usually excellent but now with all this technical stuff, it's sort of confusing, combined with the fact that i'm not THAT technical. Do I need to push the cable back into its housing after I've pushed the release button? I just don't understand the mechanism.

[This message has been edited by willempie (edited 11-04-2005).]

quote Originally posted by willempie: I just checked the cable and it seems to be fine. There is no damage to the cable cover and if I pull it out a little, I can do this for a little less than an inch. There is some resistance but not real strong. Just enough to move the cable back into its position. I'm really sorry for my not understanding. But I just don't see the release , ratchet thing. And how to I rotate the tb lever? should I disconnect the throttle cable then? Sorry, I am Dutch and my English is usually excellent but now with all this technical stuff, it's sort of confusing, combined with the fact that i'm not THAT technical. Do I need to push the cable back into its housing after I've pushed the release button? I just don't understand the mechanism.

The release button faces down towards the valve cover, you can see it with an inspection mirror, use a small screwdriver to press it in (up) if it's still attached to the bracket.
Rotate the TB by grasping the TB shaft (sorta like a small wheel) on the firewall side, then rotate clockwise.

After pushing the release button push the plastic ratchet that contains the wire cable back into the housing. Does that make sense?

There is a REAL GOOD picture of this in the Haynes manual.............Paul

If I haven't explained it properly send a PM to Oreif, I think he has some pics and maybe able to explain it better.

[This message has been edited by Paul Prince (edited 11-04-2005).]

okay I see the release button and understand how the ratchet has to go into the housing, but don't I have to rotate the tb counterclockwise? It can't turn clockwise right. Don't I have to make the same movement as when I'm flooring the gas?

quote Originally posted by willempie: okay I see the release button and understand how the ratchet has to go into the housing, but don't I have to rotate the tb counterclockwise? It can't turn clockwise right. Don't I have to make the same movement as when I'm flooring the gas?

Yes, as though you were flooring the gas, I was doing this from memory, which is not so good these days ..........Paul

well thanks for the help, I'm gonna try it out tomorrow morning, cause it's getting kinda dark over here. What if readjusting doesnt work. How can I make it shift sooner?

quote Originally posted by willempie: well thanks for the help, I'm gonna try it out tomorrow morning, cause it's getting kinda dark over here. What if readjusting doesnt work. How can I make it shift sooner?

Increase the tranny pressure by moving the ratchet in (towards battery) 2-5 clicks. As mentioned, if the TV cable is broke, it will not help, or will only be a temporary fix.

A guy I know put a new TV cable on a V6 and did not adjust it correctly. He had it ratcheted all the way out (towards air cleaner). Within 1 week he lost 3rd gear. If you can get a Haynes manual, do so, as I mentioned it has a very good picture and description of the TV cable and adjustment................Paul

Correct me if i'm wrong: A looser cable will equal earlier shifts, a tight cable will cause later shifts. With that said it is very important to have the cable adjusted correctly, to achieve the correct shift points. Good Luck,
Thanks Gary
( I'm no expert on this by no means.)

If a loose cable causes earlier shifts... how come mine shifts late then, it seems that my tv cable is already pretty loose. I think the cable has stretched a little over time. by the way, I do have a haynes manual and I found that picture you were talking about. Adjusting in there is sliding the ratchet all the way in and then by rotating the tb lever all the way out again, it should adjust itself. Is this correct then?

[This message has been edited by willempie (edited 11-04-2005).]

quote Originally posted by willempie: If a loose cable causes earlier shifts... how come mine shifts late then, it seems that my tv cable is already pretty loose. I think the cable has stretched a little over time. by the way, I do have a haynes manual and I found that picture you were talking about. Adjusting in there is sliding the ratchet all the way in and then by rotating the tb lever all the way out again, it should adjust itself. Is this correct then?

The cable has to pull the Trans Valve the length of the cylinder inside the trans. For the TH125 this length is 1.02".
To better understand how it works and how to verify the adjustment is correct, Read thru this article:
http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/

The TV cable not working is a problem but late or not upshift is generally considered a problem with the Governor in the trans. GM even had a TSB about it specifically for TH125. The governor could be worn damaged or blocked with dirt.

The governor is not rocket science but is rather delicate. If you damage the springs or any other part of it, the thing will NEVER shift right.

The gov is in the assembly that runs the VSS.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurasic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 11-04-2005).]

well I'm gonna try to readjust the tv cable properly anyways, just to be sure. It doesnt shift late under normal driving just under WOT. At what rpm do your cars shift at WOT?