2G Auto Transmission won't shift into L

[farmer890]

Hello everyone, I have a couple questions. I'm looking at a used 1996 Automatic Mitsubishi Eclipse GST for a daily. I took the car for a spin, and everything checks out. Good brakes, tires, power, steering etc.....only problem I found when function testing everything was that the shifter would not shift into low gear "L". It felt like there was a pin or other physical barrier blocking me out. The car drove and shifted perfectly otherwise though as far as I could tell (This is the first auto DSM I've ever driven. FWIW I have a 97 manual GSX - this will be my 3rd DSM).

What I want to know is, is this a big problem that is a sign of a faulty transmission? Or is it a simple fix/non-issue? What are some things I should look out for on an auto DSM? He said he bought the car this way and never had an issue.

It's also a little beat up, it looks better in photos than in person but overall it's alright considering it's bone stock still. The cruise, AC and accessories all work properly. He's asking $4900 cad ($3880 usd), he's a young lad and his dad his helping him sell it. What do you guys think it's worth? Here is the link to the ad:https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1286902476&siteLocale=en_CA&requestSource=b

 

[farmer890]

I'm going to go look at the car again right now this time from a cold start. Does anyone know why the shifter will not move into the L position?

 

[Dstarperformance01]

If shifter won't physically move any lower then I would check cable end for any sort of malfunction. If all looks good then it just might need to be adjusted. Put trans in neutral then see if shifter is in neutral position. Adjust accordingly

 

[farmer890]

When I put the trans in neutral, the shifter is in "N" where it should be. Park works, reverse works, drive works and 2nd gear works. Car shifts normally on the highway into top gear and the overdrive functions properly as well. It just won't shift into "L" for some reason, otherwise it seems quite healthy.

 

[Dstarperformance01]

So, can you physically put it in L? When you are driving does it act like it has first gear/L from a stop?

 

[DogWhistle]

If I were buying the car, I would want to know why it wasn't shifting into "L", before putting my money down.

Was the transmission replaced, and the cables mis-adjusted? Or, is there a bolt in the shift linkage blocking it because they don't want you to try the trans in "Low"?

Trans repairs aren't cheap. Your car could cost more than you're planning.

 

[farmer890]

So, can you physically put it in L? When you are driving does it act like it has first gear/L from a stop?

No I cannot put it in L. It behaves as it should in every other selection. Just can't select L.

 

[Dstarperformance01]

Okay, so you can't physically put in L. 1 down and 1 to go. Does it start off in first from a stop or does it take off from 2nd gear? How many shifts does the transmission make from a dead stop to 40ish

 

[Boomdeeze]

Check the gear selector on the transmission and make sure the arm is not hitting something went you are trying to put it in L, could be a simple exterior fix. If it's not the cable or a blockage of the gear selector, I would be skeptical paying top dollar for a car that may have had a band aid fix to sell it.

 

[farmer890]

Yeah it does grab every gear. I can count the gears and it uses all of them. Everything functions normally except for I just can't physically move the selector to L but I will look into that further.

FWIW it shifts nice and smooth when driving and going into reverse.