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Topic: C3 acting up (Read 3387 times) previous topic - next topic

C3 acting up

well when cruising around town and try to lightly accelerate my car downshifts really easily and doesnt like staying in drive.. it tends to down shift into 2nd... it gets annoying and would be kind of dangerous when i go driving in snow/rain and on the highway at highway speeds  :dunno:  help

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #1 –
If I read your other post correctly (84 3.8 Cougar) you don't have a C3, you'd have a C5 (only turbo coupes and XR7's got the C3, a C3 will not bolt onto a 3.8). That being said, check your kickdown cable (TV cable) and linkage. It may be sticking or it may just need adjustment.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #2 –
I think there's a vacuum modulator on the casing that can go bad too. Check the vacuum line going to it for cracks or pinholes. But I think Carm has it right...check the linkage first.

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #3 –
hmmmmmm no c3 wow... thats what i was thinking it was since its a 3 speed auto.  hmmm now i gotta check this stuff out lol could it also be the filter inside the transmission? well thanks for all your help :-D btw i dislike automatics period.  just need to get this running good so i can remove stuff  :grinno:  well thanks again
          Eric

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #4 –
just a tad off topic how doesnt a c3 bolt up to a 3.8. if it bolts up to a 5.0 dont they have the same bolt patterns.
trick flow street heat intake , 24lbs injetors, ported GT-40's (Chip) long tube headers. and a Performance Automatic C4, with a hurst shifter!

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #5 –
hey i looked at my car a lil bit and is the AT kickdown lever that metal tube that goes from TBI to the tranny linkage? if so... is it suppose to wobble like crazee  :grinno:  if not... what do i need to fix it! lol

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #6 –
Quote from: CougarCoupe88
just a tad off topic how doesnt a c3 bolt up to a 3.8. if it bolts up to a 5.0 dont they have the same bolt patterns.

Because they don't bolt up to a 5.0 either. The C3 is a small, light-duty three-speed four-or-six cylinder transmission. It will fit the 2.3 and "cologne" V6's (2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0 OHC) but will not fit the "esshag" (3.8, 3.9, 4.2) or Windsor. The C3 "grew up" to be the A4LD four-speed and eventually the 5R55W 5-speed
 
The three-speeds that were bolted up to the 3.8 and 5.0 engines were generally either the C4 (up to 1982 or so) and the C5 (1983 and newer). The C5 is essentially a C4 with metric fasteners and a lockup torque convertor. The C5 grew up to be the AOD, then the AOD-E and then the 4R70W
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #7 –
well i take you word  for it but im almost pretty  sure that my brother has a c3 on the back of his 302 in his maverick. but i'll make sure. . and i got to chech this book out i have about trannies. 

im not trying to start anything just want to know for my own sake.
trick flow street heat intake , 24lbs injetors, ported GT-40's (Chip) long tube headers. and a Performance Automatic C4, with a hurst shifter!

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #8 –
Maybe on older cars they did have C3's with smallblock bolt patterns, I'm not sure. Check that out, it'd be interesting to know. I always thought the old 3-speeds were either C4's, C6's or FMX's (with the C5 coming along in the early 80's)
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: C3 acting up

Reply #9 –
well acording to the hanse manual i have about auto tranies (rebuild book )

their really are  4 "C" trannies c3 c4 c5 & c6 then the Aod

"the C3 c4 and c5 transmissions are all 3-speed automatic gearboxes sharing the same basic design.

the c4 tranni is the earlyest coverd by the manual it was designed for small and intermediate cars and light trucks with 6 CYl. and small v8 engines. the c4 was introduced in 1964 and continued to be made 1982. when it was superseded by the c5

the C3 is essentially a light duty version of the C4 it was used from 1974 through 1986 on smaller cars with 4 cylinder, V6 and small V8's."
 
the manual goes on to say about the c5 in 1981 and then the death of it in 86 to the aod..

so i guess C3's can work on 232's and 302 351's . i'll try and dig up some info on the web.
the book i got this from. got it at auto zone Haynes manuals
trick flow street heat intake , 24lbs injetors, ported GT-40's (Chip) long tube headers. and a Performance Automatic C4, with a hurst shifter!