Re: [AMC-list] 72 Gremlin 232 passing gear

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Sounds like what you have is a 71 Gremlin, not a 72. The 71 used an electric switch to kick-down the transmission, the 72 used a Chrysler transmission that must have a rod attached. If you have the Chrysler trans STOP DRIVING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY! If you don't you'll burn up the transmission. The rod not only controls "passing gear" but also internal transmission pressure.

So let's determine which transmission you have first! Look under the car from the driver's side. Locate where the shift linkage connects to the arm on the trans. If the arm shaft comes out the side of the trans toward you you have a Borg-Warner automatic. If the shaft comes out of the trans vertically (up and down instead of sideways) near the front corner of the pan then you have the Chrysler transmission. There will be two arms on the Chrysler trans, one above the other on the same shaft (a solid shaft inside a hollow one).

If you don't have the correct throttle valve linkage on the Chrysler trans you'll burn it up. Either locate the correct rod from another AMC with the same engine (I'm assuming a six cylinder -- the linkage from any 72+ Hornet/Gremlin/Concord/Spirit or even Eagle should work) or purchase a Lokar cable for Chrsyler 904 transmissions. Same transmission in Chrsyler and AMC, but the bell housing bolt pattern to the engine is different.

Now, if you have the Borg-Warner automatic... First I'd pull the kick-down switch. Use a volt meter or test light to check the switch itself. It's just a momentary contact switch, contacts should be open until the switch is pressed, then they should be closed as long as you hold the switch down. If that's okay, turn the ignition switch to the "run" position but don't start the car. One of the wires to the switch should have 12V on it (dark blue), the other should be "dead" (light blue). If this is okay, check the light blue (dead) wire for ground. Hook one end of the test light to 12V, then touch the l. blue wire. You should hear a click in the transmission as the solenoid engages and the light comes on. If no light then the wire may be disconnected in the transmission or the solenoid is bad. You may have to be under the car near the trans pan to hear the solenoid click. The light will come on if the solenoid engages OR the wire is shorted to the trans or car body somewhere. 
The only way to determine which is to drop the transmission pan and disconnect the wire at the solenoid.

There is a fuse for the transmission solenoid, so check that first if no power! It's the bottom center fuse on the six fuse panel, should be 20A. If the fuse pops right away when the switch is pressed check all the wiring and switch, and if all that is good assume the solenoid or wiring in the transmission is bad. Not hard to change, http://nwtparts.com/ should have a solenoid.

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Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:35:24 -0400 (GMT-04:00)
From: Ted Dooling<tdooling@xxxxxxxxxxx>

I need help. I replaced the carb with a rebuilt on my 72 Gremlin 232 last year and no longer have a passing gear at any speed. I am not sure how it used to operate. There is a switch at the end of the pedal connecting to wires that has an adjustment, but whether I adust it long or short it has no affect. I can't find any linkage or mechanical device under the hood that might be part of a passing gear. Other than that the new carb really gives the Gremlin the kick it must have originally come with. I'd love to have the passing gear back. For now if I move the shifter to 2nd it provides the pickup I need getting up to highway speeds. Yes, it is an automatic.

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars"
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://www.amc-mag.com
(free download available!)


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