Issues with down-shifting automatic transmission

[Blair McConnell]

Good evening folks
I have a 1985 vanagon .
My question is about the shifter. The van is automatic, and when you put it in drive and start to go it shifts as it should . Starting in first then to second then to third. If I go to down shift , I can only go to second . I cannot put it in to first even when I start from a dead stop. I am just going to dive into the Bentley Bible, but I thought that you folks would be able to steer me in the right direction.
Thanks Blair

[SCM]

Just to clarify, are you saying that it shifts fine (starting in first gear) only upon first turning on the ignition but after driving a bit and coming to a full stop it doesn’t downshift into first gear again on its own?

Have you tried putting it in first “manually” by using the gear selector lever when that happens?
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[Blair McConnell]

The transmission works fine automatically, it is only when I want to down shift or start in first manually.

[SCM]

Then quit doing that. It’s an suto

More seriously, I bet there’s just an adjustment to be made to you shift lever linkage. But someone more knowledgeable than me will surely chime in soon.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[Shonandb]

It sounds as if something is getting in the way of the linkage as there isn't a lot of adjustment, especially if it drives normally in D, R, and 2nd

Does Park seem to click in as it should and is in the right location (all the way forward)?

I would block the tires so it can't roll and crawl under and check the linkage all the way to the transaxle.

If there isn't anything obvious then focus on the transaxle and take pictures of the shift lever at the transaxle when it's in P, then R, D, 2nd, and see if anything is stopping it from moving further into 1st.

If it looks fine, double check up in the Van to make sure a coin or something hasn't slipped down and lodged itself, blocking the shifter from moving further back. The shift housing comes off or is lift able after removing a couple screws.
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image

[latelogan]

I have an Auto as well and I think mine does that too

I recall mine working like this too.

its not what the manual says it should do

I'm not sure if that is a bug or a feature. Maybe it is a linkage issue. I will check mine later this week.

Pedal downshift works fine for me, and it will shift into 2nd and 1st as needed.
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1991 Westy stock 2.1 auto transmission
1978 Westy (Sold)
1971 Westy (Sold)

[jlrftype7]

Agree with Shonandb, really sounds like something jamming the linkage or other linkage issue.
No such problem with our Shifter on our Auto '84. All positions are able to be selected.
Could be fragments of the sliding bezel cover that were once on all the shifters.
They fall apart over time. We found pieces of the OEM cover the first time we took the shifter housing off to vacuum out the vehicle shortly after purchasing it in the Fall of 2018.

Here's a picture of a Repro slider that's available here from a Samba Member. If you don't have this trim part, and just the usual gaping hole around your Shifter Rod, it's really possible the remaining guts are down in the housing.

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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[harvgwen]

I don’t know if you need more confirmation but on our ‘86 Auto you can select any gear (including first) manually.
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1986 Westfalia Vanagon, 2.2 Subaru
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

[kamzcab86]

[MarkWard]

The only real Safeway to check this is with the van on a lift. I have seen shifter cables seize internally. You’d want to disconnect it from the transmission and manually shift the transmission. Should feel 6 distinct notches.

[Blair McConnell]

Good Evening folks
Thanks for all the possible ideas as to the cause of the shifter issue guys .
I have taken the console apart and have found nothing to stop the shifter from shifting into 1st gear . I have not been able to get under the van to check the rest of the linkage from the shifter to the transmission. I am hoping to do that this weekend and see what I can find.
thanks