A former 240 owner on the Mopar board I frequent suggested that my issue (described in another post below) could be caused by a sticky kickdown cable pully. He said it tends to crop up in cold weather and can be cured by spraying WD40 in the pully. Now, would a sticky kickdown cable pully allow the tranny to get out of First but not shift into Second? Cause that's kind of what it feel like, like the tranny just starts spinning almost freely once you get on the gas a bit (some power is getting to the rear wheels but not much). Also, where can I find pics of this pully? I believe I have a Chiltons or some other crummy manual at home but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to find a pic which will show me where this thing is located, especially when I try to dfind it outside tonight with a flashlight in the rain. Thanks.

My 87 240 had the same problem. The cable would remain out when I left off the throttle which would not allow the trans to shift down into first gear. When you went to start out the car did not want to go since it was in a much higher gear. I tried lubricating it but that did not help. I replaced the cable and everything has been working normal.
Hope that helps.

I have to give the people who market WD-40 credit... I see it suggested for use in so many places where it has no effect. It is not a lubricant; it is a water displacer. Works great on wet distributors and sparkplug wires to remove or displace the moisture.

Chances are the kickdown cable is hanging up. Sometimes you can bring them back, at least for a while, with lubrication. Take the cable loose from the spool that is activated by the accelerator. Then remove the nut that holds it in position. This allows you to hold it up and put gravity to work for you. Drip some PB Blaster or Kroil into the end of the sheath. Give it time to run down the inside of the length of the kickdown cable. Repeat several times. Work the cable back and forth as this speeds the procedure. The cable should begin to move a little easier. Now drip light weight oil into the cable and allow it to soak in. Keep working the cable back and forth. After the oil has had a chance to run the length of the cable reinstall. Hope that it helps.

Randy

You can also lubricate cables by spilling a little oil in a baggie and then taping it around the cable and then squeezing the baggie.

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that. Sounds like an old motorcycle trick?

Randy

Agree about WD40. Thanks for the info. So you're saying whatever I do is probably a temporary fix and that ultimately I'll need to replace the kickdown cable? Also, does it sound like this is my problem--the car not seeming to shift into second when you're on the gas but not staying in first either?

My experience is that it will eventually need to be replaced. Seems like once they start to hang up it is the beginning of the end.

Yes, the behavior that you describe is what I have had happen. Almost like the car is coasting?

You could always detach the cable and force it back into its home position and leave it detached. This will cause the transmission to shift very quickly into the higher gears unless you shift the gears manually from L to 2 to D and then engage the OD.

I like LPS 3 which is in a spray can. It has a vehicle that thins it out and makes it easy to flow. Later the vehicle evaporates and leaves a light weight grease. It isn't easy to use in this application and I have just used 3 in 1 oil with some success.

Randy

Don't know what year you have, but on my 88 the pulley is the same one that the throttle cable turns. With the hood up and the car running, you can turn the pulley and rev the engine. Anyway, the kickdown cable attaches to, and runs under the bottom of the pulley down a sheath to the transmission. With the engine off turn the pulley and let it snap back to the idle position. If your kickdown cable is sticking you will see it go slack. If so, your best bet is to unhook the cable from the pulley and drip WD-40 or tranny fluid down the cable until you free it up.

They seem to refer to it as the throttle spindle here. Or is it something else?

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/TransmissionAuto.htm#Kickdown_Cable_Adjustment