Auto Tranny pops out of first gear?

[Marc_01]

Sometimes when under light load when tranny and engine is cold, Tranny will pop out of 1st. Sometimes shifting to park will "reset" the tranny and sometimes not, leaving me to rev the engine and it will engage.

Anyone ever had this problem or know where I could direct my trouble shooting efforts?

Im tired of poping out of gear in traffic and holding people up and feeling like a fool.

The tranny is stock for my 87, 727 i believe?

[brad_fsj10]

I've never heard of an auto "popping out of gear". But, torqueflite's are famous for torque converter drainback. The trans was designed in the 50's when cars were started in neutral, hence, the pump only pressurized 'efficiently' in neutral.

Many big Chryslers and Imperials that sat for a while wouldn't move under their own power until the fluid pressure was able to pump up. Solution - start in neutral or move the selector to neutral for 15-20 seconds before ya take off. There's an aftermarker 'plunger' kit for this very problem.

Now, I've never heard of a Wagon with this problem, so it's possible your linkage may just be out of adjustment.

[Marc_01]

Thanks for the feedback brad. I'll try that tip.

It's more like the tranny "slips" out of gear and into never never land. Because you can put it in 1st, 2nd, etc.. and it does not engage. So I would assume shifting into a lower gear would rule out linkage adjustment??

I checked the fluid and it was a pint low, that might have something to do with?