`91 B250- few questions

[RedneckRacin']

Hello fellas.
Great forum!:rck: I just bought a 1991 B250 cargo van and I have a couple questions. It has the 318 and a three speed auto. The transmission shifts into second at around 30mph, and into third about 48mph. I don't know if it is because I am sitting on top of the engine(as opposed to my `03 Pontiac Vibe daily driver), it seems like it is screaming before it shifts gears. Driving in town, ~40mph, it is running around in second gear. Is this normal?

Second question, the fuel gauge isn't working. What would be the first thing to check?

Thanks!

[RedneckRacin']

I checked speed with my Garmin C60 yesterday and the speedo is off a bit. It shifts into second at 37mph and third at 52.

[Dodgevanman]

Sounds to me like the Throttle Valve or T.V. (aka kickdown) linkage is out of adjustment. Here's the procedure for adjustment and it's a doozy.

Disconnect the connector for the ISC (Idle Speed Control) actuator (this is located on the throttle body)
Using a pair of jumper wires, connect one to the negative post on the battery and one to the positive post of the battery. Connect negative jumper to top pin of ISC actuator and positive jumper to second pin of ISC actuator. Leave jumpers connected for no longer than 5 seconds and then disconnect them. Actuator is now fully retracted.

From under the vehicle, loosen swivel lock screw and hold tranmission throttle lever firmly forward against it's internal stop and tighten swivel lock screw. Lower vehicle and reconnect ISC actuator and turn ignition to ON for 5 seconds to reset actuator.

Sounds like a pain in the butt, but that's what the factory book says to do.

Reference Fig. 2 in the below pic.

[RedneckRacin']

Wow, thanks! Thats very detailed info. I will try to jump on it this week after I get our minor turned major bathroom remodeling job done.