One of my friends has a Mazda 929 with an automatic transmission that he is trying to sell. He just recently took it for a drive to the carwash and told me that it would go through 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, but not 4th. Any ideas why? Could there be a clog in the fluid maze or something?

 

Do you know if it has an electronic tranny? If it does he can do a pin test to check the shift solenoid (if it's bad you can get to it by removing the pan). If it doesn't it could be in the valve body, low pressure, govenor, or a band. Does it slip, or just not go into 4th at all? and can he put it in gear manually (run through the gears using the lever starting from 1-4), and 1 last thing, check to see if it will go into 4th by bringing the rpm's up in 3rd then take your foot off the gas and see if it goes in. wish I could be more help.

 

Thanks for what youve posted so far. I believe it doesnt go into 4th at all...

 

I did forget one other thing, if it has an OD button he could have it off, or the relay for it could be bad. Volvo had a huge problem with OD switch relays. let me know how you make out, if the car has been sitting for a while he might want to try and drive it around a little and change the fluid and filter. Good luck