Won't shift into 1st - TBSSOWNERS.com Forums - The #1 TrailblazerSS Dedicated Owners Forum

Dimm6 · Apr-23-12, 08:32 AM

As the title states, my new to me 2007 TBSS AWD won't shift into first gear when I up the lever to 1. Its a little hard to get the lever to go down there. It almost feels like the shift boot bunches up and won't let it go. But once I get it there, the car won't take off in 1st.

Any thoughts?

gn2beatu · Apr-23-12, 11:17 AM

Check to see if the cable is stretched or needs adjusting. Put it up in the air on a lift, and check if you manually move the lever on the tranny a bit more if it will go in. Adjust/fix/replace as needed.

Nightmare · Apr-23-12, 11:48 AM

Mine gets tighter the further you pull it toward 1st..but it will always go in the gear.

I know I didnt answer your question but I wanted you to know mine gets tight too(no pun intended)

Dimm6 · Apr-23-12, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the tips. My mom's old Benz from the eighties used to start in second gear and only use first when mashing the throttle. I think it was because there may have been too much torque for the tranny to handle in first. I thought maybe this was the case as well, but I guess not. Ill check the cable out when I get it up on a lift.

Bullnettles · Apr-23-12, 01:34 PM

Does it actually go into 1st when you start in 3 or D?

Dimm6 · Apr-23-12, 03:00 PM

It starts in 1st, but when I put the lever into 1 it starts from 2nd and if I stomp on the gas hard enough it downshifts into 1st.
Should it always start in first when in D? Or does it start off in second? I've only had the car for about a week, so I'm not sure what it should be doing.