I dont know how to hook up my chevy powerglide detent linkage. I can't find a manual to help wih this problem.

Automatic or manual? Have you checked the linkage?

Unless the problem is in the linkage for the shifter you will need to tear down the transmission to find the problem.

Do you feel detent positions as you move the shifter? If it gives little resistance or lacks detents, your shift linkage has come undone (simple fix).
If you feel detent positions but the transmission does not engage, your transmission has failed. Check the fluid... you'll know.

They are sway bar link kits,one on each side,four bushings and large washers wih a long bolt

You have one of these problems: #1 Detent Cable Broke or stuck..... #2 Detent valve stuck in valve body........would have to be removed & cleaned..... #3 Governor Gear Broke or Striped

Good luck and hope this helps. Keep me posted, would like to know you got your truck running again.

OK, THE POWER GLIDES USED AN O-RING TO SEAL THE SHIFT ROD, NO THERE ARE NO PARTS THAT WILL FALL OUT BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO REMOVE THE SHAFT TO REPLACE THE O-RING

Transmission range sensor and neutral safety switch are the same thing (when you go to buy the part). It's at the top of your transmission. You'll see the shifting cable connected to it. Here are the instructions for adjustment:
Shift Control Linkage
The transmission shift linkage adjustments must be performed in the order in which they appear.

Column Shift

Place transaxle range selector lever in (D) (OVERDRIVE) position or D (DRIVE) position on vehicles equipped with a transmission control switch (TCS). A weight of 1.4 kg (3 lb) should be hung on the transaxle range selector lever to ensure the lever is located firmly on the (D) (OVERDRIVE) or D (DRIVE) position on vehicles equipped with a transmission control switch (TCS) detent.

Loosen manual control lever-to-control cable retaining nut.

Move transaxle manual control lever to OVERDRIVE position or D (DRIVE) position on vehicles equipped with a transmission control switch (TCS), second detent from most rearward position.

Tighten retaining nut to 17-23 Nm (13-17 lb-ft). Check operation of transaxle in each transmission range position. Make sure that park mechanism and transmission range (TR) sensor are functioning properly.

Floor Shift

Position transaxle range selector lever in DRIVE position against rearward stop. The floor transaxle range selector lever must be held in the rearward position using a constant force of 1.4 kg (3 lb) while linkage is being adjusted.

Loosen manual control lever-to-control cable retaining nut.

Move transaxle manual control lever to DRIVE position, second detent from most rearward position.

Tighten retaining nut to 17-23 Nm (13-17 lb-ft).

Check operation of transaxle in each transmission range position. Make sure that park mechanism and transmission range (TR) sensor are functioning properly.


To take it off, it's a couple of retaining bolts and a wiring harness.

the C4 automatic transmission is a 3 speed transmission, it shifts by hydraulic pressure controlled by a governor and actuators, I would check your linkage to see that it is hooked up correctly to allow movement through all range selections, disconnect the linkage at the trans and see how many detents you feel while moving the lever back and forth, make sure to chock your vehicle as moving the lever from Park may cause the car to move. Let me know what you find, hope this helps

Thought you had an old "slip & slide powerglide" ! I like the way they originally cursed them, then all the racers wanted them all of a sudden. Anyway, if you have the TH350, which your obviously cruising and shifting manually, just go with gear selection that sounds good to you, RPM wise. I never look at a tachometer, all by ear. The TH 350 are pretty strong too. Then of course there's always a shift kit that will make it bang into next gear & chirp tires for cruising too.

that was old school , vehicles with the turbo 400 transmission are equipped with an ECM controlled downshift system , when vehicle is at speeds below 70 mph a forced (detent) downshift is possible by fully depressing the accelerator ,when the ECM detects a drop in manifold vacuum (high map sensor reading) the downshift control relay is energized by the ECM , the relay detects battery voltage to the detent solenoid in the transmission to open open an oriface to force the transmission to downshift ..... if yours is not working i would first check the downshift relay , under hood , picture is so bad i can't tell , looks like on the firewall more to the passenger side , next to fuel pump relay , if it needs more diag than that maybe you should get an estimate for repair from a trans shop or such , hope ya fix it , cheers .