• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Why does my car shift so early

  • Thread starter Thread starter 69stanger
  • Start date Start date Mar 25, 2004

69stanger

Founding Member
Oct 20, 2002
102
0
0
CA
Mar 25, 2004
#1
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #1
my car seems hell bent on shifting between 3.5-4K rpm even if Im flooring it. Whats the deal, why wont it rev to atleast 5K.

oh yeah I have an automatic.

any help would be apprecitated thanks
 
S

slapper

Founding Member
Mar 6, 2002
447
0
0
Mar 25, 2004
#2
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #2
Try adjusting the vacuum modulator valve.
A few turns with an allen wrench, and it might make a big improvement.
 

69stanger

Founding Member
Oct 20, 2002
102
0
0
CA
Mar 25, 2004
#3
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #3
slapper said:
Try adjusting the vacuum modulator valve.
A few turns with an allen wrench, and it might make a big improvement.
Click to expand...


where is it located?

I have an FMX transmission
 
S

slapper

Founding Member
Mar 6, 2002
447
0
0
Mar 25, 2004
#4
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #4
On the FMX, it's on the back driver's side of the main housing.
It looks like a medium sized gold mushroom with a vacuum hose going to it from the intake manifold. If you pull the hose off the modulator, inside the stem of the modulator, there will be a small allen screw. Turn yours counterclockwise about 1 to 1 1/2 turns. Reconnect the vacuum hose and go for a drive. It should affect your shift points, not a great deal, but perhaps enough. Continue to adjust as nessesary.
 

69stanger

Founding Member
Oct 20, 2002
102
0
0
CA
Mar 25, 2004
#5
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #5
thank you so much

will do
 

Great68

Founding Member
May 16, 2002
691
0
16
Victoria BC
Mar 25, 2004
#6
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #6
Where is it located on a C4?
 
S

slapper

Founding Member
Mar 6, 2002
447
0
0
Mar 25, 2004
#7
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #7
Great68 said:
Where is it located on a C4?
Click to expand...

Same size, shape, adjustment, vacuum hose, etc., but on the passenger's side of the transmission.
Always check the fluid levels when troubleshooting any kind of hydromechanical unit---power steering, transmission, rear differentials, etc.
It sounds obvious and stupid, but almost 50% of the times it turns out to be something simple.
 

69stanger

Founding Member
Oct 20, 2002
102
0
0
CA
Mar 25, 2004
#8
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #8
I just tried adjusting the vaccum modualteor and now my car shifts at 4.5K rpm. thank you so much.

I will do some for adjustments tommorow and hopefully I can get it to shift at 5K.

thanks again.
 
U

UNVMATT

New Member
Jan 15, 2004
294
0
0
COLUMBUS
Mar 25, 2004
#9
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #9
Its a darn Automatic..heehee
 

Jonstantine

Founding Member
Jul 20, 2002
487
0
0
Oklahoma
Mar 25, 2004
#10
  • Mar 25, 2004
  • #10
you can manually keep it in gears 1 and 2 as long as you want
but watch out, i blew out my 2nd gear clutch on my c4

if your on the highway, throw it all the way down, and the tranny will shift into second
if you have it in low from a start, it wont shift out until you do it
but what i did, was id shift into second, then put the shifter back in low and it would stay in second gear as long as i wanted

this will really help your acceleration, by making the transmission kick down
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
My rebirth, Hi from PA
  • onemore1987
  • Jun 28, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
3
Views
87
The Welcome Wagon Jun 29, 2026
onemore1987
O
K
TKX Transmission Shifting Problem
  • KWC156
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Other Auto Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
2K
Other Auto Tech Jun 13, 2026
427nostang
4
J
Car Diagnosis
  • j.2016
  • Aug 31, 2025
  • 2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
3
Views
306
2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk Aug 31, 2025
Noobz347
Place to Avoid: Jamison Auto Group in Gulfport, MS
  • D Durden
  • Oct 20, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 4, 2026
nickyb
E
Finished my Fox Hydroboost Install - Tips
  • Engineer Duane
  • Apr 9, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 5, 2025
Engineer Duane
E
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?