Have you heard this before...
"I have a three speed column shift that will not shift into 2nd or 3rd.
The shift arms appear to move on the column while going through the gears,
but it does not go into 2nd or 3rd. Is this a column problem or a tranny
problem. Any suggestions on how to trouble shoot it ?"
General Column Shifter Information
There are bushings at the top of the linkage (at the column). When they get sloppy so does your shifter. There are 2 levers that hook to 2 rods that control the tranny. One lever controls first and reverse and the other controls 2nd and 3rd. When both are in the middle you are in neutral. The key is that the first lever must be in the middle before your shifter will move the second lever. If your adjustment is off it will not leave the first lever centered thus not allowing it to shift into 2nd or 3rd. Crawl under your truck and watch as someone shifts it. You should be able to see what is going on.
Adjustment Procedure
- Shift column into N.
- Insert a pin (I used a small allen wrench) through the column guides and the shift levers at the column. This prevents the shifter on the column and the shift rods from moving. On my column the "guides" were inside the engine compartment on the center-side of the column where the column enters the engine compartment.
- From under the Bronco, remove the clips from the shift rods at the shift levers on the transmission.
- Pull shift rod away from shift lever.
- The "adjuster" on the shift rod should easily move in and out of the hole in the shift lever. If this is not the case, screw the "adjuster" in or out as necessary.
Reassembly is the reverse. Don't forget to put the clips back on.