Input appreciated on a transmission issue

[Tosh Dickenson]

Finally a sunny day to drive the Caddy into work!

Alas when I set off down the road, I realized she wasn't shifting from first to any higher range.  I just drove it on Saturday and it was shifting fine.

I checked the fluid level and it was spot on, looked clean and smelled fine.

After work I put it on the hoist and first started with the vacuum modulator.  At idle I'm getting about 15 psi of vacuum from the engine to the modulator, under acceleration about 18psi.  I put the vacuum pump on the modulator and pumped it up to 20 psi and holds for a bit then slowly drops off but not a drastic fall.  No fluid dripping out out of the modulator either.

Replaced the hose between the vacuum pipe and modulator and tested the car on the hoist.  Still no upshift from first.

Next I removed the governor and the weights move freely.

I dropped the pan and found no abnormal debris in the pan and fluid was clean and not burnt.  Filter was installed tightly.

Other than running a bit rich and loading up at idle, the car has been running and driving great.

Any thoughts?

[Tosh Dickenson]

Oops, sorry 1964 Deville with Turbo Hydramatic.

The vacuum line is steel and the rubber connector was good although I replaced it just to be safe.

Fluid was checked at idle and operating temp.

[Tosh Dickenson]

Oh, it was such a stressful day that I forgot to mention that I had made it about a half mile down the road when I realized there was a problem.  I turned back and it seemed like it was quickly losing forward momentum but not noticeably slipping.  Engine wasn't wound out but it was like we were dragging an anchor.  

Failing torque converter perhaps?  I did notice a slight vibration a few weeks ago but I thought it might be a driveline issue but it didn't happen again so I forgot about it.

[Tosh Dickenson]

Thanks Mark!  I'm feeling really good tonight now that I don't have to rebuild a transmission :D

[Tosh Dickenson]

Well today was my lucky day.  I came home with a clearer head and found that the transmission kick down switch was stuck in the energized position.  A little penetrating oil freed it up and the car shifts beautifully again.  Whew!