Pontiac Repair: driveability issue, speed transmissions, throttle valve

Question
I have a 1989 grand am with a quad-4 and 4 speed auto. Since I bought it used the shift between 1,2,3 is delayed and hard with a quick shift to 4. I replaced the transaxle and both the old one and the newer one has shifted the same,so I'm pretty sure the problem isn't in the tranny. Any suggestions would be helpful.Thank

Answer
Hi James:

First off is this the correctyear for the car? Because they didn't have a 4 speed transmissions in that old of a Grand am. They only have 3 speed transmissions with a lock up converter. That converter lock up can be felt and may be confused with another upshift??? That may be what your feeling???? Reguardless of that if you have late and hard upshifts it can be a few things. those old transmissions called 125's use a governer and a Throttle valve in combination for the up and down shifts. My guess is that the cable for the throttle valve is misadjusted. The governer could be an issue if this transmission you put in this car now didn't have the same final drive ratio that the original transmission had. The throttle valve is pretty easy to adjust there is a button on the end of the cable near the throttle body push in the on button and pull back on the cable gently to get it to the end of the adjustment. then with the car off gently press on the gas pedal all the way to the floor and it should adjust the cable to where you need it. Give it a try. If this is not the year you aid then let me know the newer Grand am's with a 4 spped transmission are all electronically controlled for up and won shifts. Good luck :}