Well first of all Hi out there, just been on the net surfing websites for fellow enthusiasts.Greast Website! My question, My Comet sat in a garage for 10 years before I bought it back in '97. It has 72 k on it and when I bought it, it had this problem that it cannot be shifted out of park once the motor is started, you literally have turn the key and shift it quickly to nuetral while starting it, then it can be shifted in gear. Also the shifter has to be pulled back for the radio and fan to come on. It also doesn't shift to 2nd gear until you reach 25 mph, and to shidt to 3rd you have to get it up to about 60 or 65 mph. This is the year I am finally going to start getting this car up to daily driver status. Anyone ever heard of these problems?
Welcome to the board! The shift out of park problem is the same problem I had with a 63 galaxie, bad vacuum modulator valve, could be your same deal. The shifting points lead me to believe a vacuum leak, vacuum lines cracked, broken, loose. Also I am sure you have checked the fluid level. The radio and fan motor, NOW that is WEIRD!! Sometimes when cars sit the electrical connections get tarnished and even rusty depending on conditions. You might take a day and go thru the entire car and clean every electrical connection on the car, inside and out, including the fuse box. Disconnect the battery before you do this, or you will smell smoke lol. Dan
you may want to start the car in neutral until you gat these things fixed. kinda scares me to think you're slamming it past reverse with the engine on high idle.
modulator valve Ok don't want to sound stupid here but the modulator valve, is that an internal transmission part or under the hood?, next to the tranny? My original thought on electrical was maybe a short in the column, I am planning to put in a grant steering wheel so I was thinking to try to check out the wiring inside the column is that accessable? Thanks for tips , I am really glad I found this web site. One other thing the car has been sitting for about a year with out being started,( bad starter ) I intend to get it running in the next week or 2 any thing I should know about or do to , prepare for that? Before attempting this?, one guy advised I drain the gas out, there isn't much in there. What do you think?
neutral start You know quite honestly it has been a year since I started it, If memory server it wouldn't let me start in neutral, I agree I cringed every time I had to do it. in the time I have had the car I have only put maybe 200 miles on it.
Modulator valve Hey Halebop The modulator Valve is a small valve at the front of the transmisson that looks likethe Vacuam advance on the Distirbtor.It has a Vacuam hose hooked to it. They are not very expensive and fairly easy to install. Good luck Later Tim "my comet gt"
Modulator valve Hey Halebop The modulator Valve is a small valve at the front of the transmisson that looks likethe Vacuam advance on the Distirbtor.It has a Vacuam hose hooked to it. They are not very expensive and fairly easy to install. Good luck Later Tim "my comet gt"
actually the modulator valve is on the rear of the trans (assuming its a C4) near where the tailshaft bolts on.
modulator valve Tim, Dave thanks alot guys, I sure hope that is it, rather than a rebuild, I am going to rebulid it later but I would sure like to avoid that expense right now if possible, Tim nice Comet dude I am planning to lose the bench seat in mine and go for white or dove grey leather and get ahold of some bucket seats. I will stay with blue on mine but I think I will go much darker blue though.
I thought I would revive this old thread to give you an update, and for future reference if anyone experiences these weird things. I took my car to Pioneer Auto Electric here in Des Moines. My issues with electrical and shifting out of park were interrelated. It was a simple adjustment that had to be made. Come to think of it I'm not positive exactly what they adjusted , They said it now shifts out of park after start up and the shifter doesn't have to be held back slightly to get the Blower, gauges, Wipers radio etc, to work . They did replace the cylinder lock while they were in there, also turns out there was no body ground. They replaced the turn signal flasher as well. These were my last Gremlins !!! I plan on getting the exaust done, and then I can focus on body and interior stuff. Mechanically (Crosses fingers) it's better than it has been since I bought it in '97!! In the last month I got the following done! New front brakes Alternator Battery Carb, Distrbutor Got my Demon Gremlins Excercised I've also driven it more in the last week than the previous 9 years! Feeling pretty good and wanted to share good News!!
Oh hey one other thing, the shift points were messed up because the kickdown was stuck in the kick down position. it was always in passing gear! I added it to this thread I made mention of it here so I htought I'd let everyone know about that too. WD-40 was all it needed
