Non H-body Transmission issue

[bugdewde]

'81 Trans Am... pretty much all stock.
A year or so ago, at an Atlanta Motorplex autocross, I had an issue where I'd lost a couple quarts of trans fluid. Car never shifted oddly or badly during the whole day.... only noticed it low when I tried to leave the next morning. No issues since and no low fluid levels.

Fast forward to today. I rounded a sharp curve where I was in low 1. Car never shifted into 2nd when put in drive, but when I let off the throttle, the car coasted as if it was in neutral... no engine braking at all. Hmmmm......?
If I down shift into 1st, manually, and decelerate, it has engine braking..... but not in drive.
I was 20 miles from home, and I could accelerate to about 40 mph and "coast" simply by letting off the gas, as there were no engine braking whatsoever. I made it home fine, took me over an hour..... but I'm stumped as what to check.
Fluid level is fine... hot.

Any ideas?

[cammerjeff]

I am Assuming a T-350 trans, I would try a Vacuum Modulator 1st, also check the Vacuum line to it, if that's not it I will leave it to the transmission experts.

[HI WINDING MONZA]

Dwight, easy things to check with your symptoms.....

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/thre ... ar.470242/

Doug in P.R.

[bugdewde]

Thanks for the hints, Jeff.

Hey Doug,! That's exactly what mine is doing. I'll definitely check those items mentioned (same as Jeff's recommendations).

Now, I've gotta brush up on where these things are located. Having only had one automatic before this car, I've never had to deal with one. .... other than my first car, a '79 Firebird, where I dropped the pan and changed the fluid/filter.
I've always thought of automatic transmissions and quadrajet carburetors as voodoo magic and have always shied away from working on them.

Once again, this forum is the best ! I appreciate all of your knowledge. Thanks.