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I have a 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado, with a 307 V-8 engine.
Sent to Car Experts January 28 07:28 PM

I have a 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado, with a 307 V-8 engine. The cruise control servo (vacuum) doesn't work very well. That is, going up hills it doesn't shift down after the first shift. where can I get the servo repaired? I have used after market servos, but they don't work well, or they work well for a few months and then stop working. I'd like to have the original repaired. I have tried to find a new one like the one on the car, but there don't seem to be any in the USA, for I had my local GM dealer send out a search to GM dealers around the US, with no luck. Thanks much for your kind help. Ted J. Becker, Williston, North Dakota

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1985 Oldsmobile Toronado 307

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Info Request
January 28 8:18 PM (50 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
I have two used ones I can test them to see how long they will hold a vacuum.If you are interested make me an offer and please understand shipping would be extra.

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Davo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1931 Car Accepts
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Reply
January 28 9:11 PM (52 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
How does $25 for both of them sound, plus shipping? That is, if they hold a vacuum, after you test them. I have a couple of other used ones here, but they don't hold well either. I have changed all of the hoses that lead to the servo, so know that the hoses are not the problem. My mechanic says that these vacuum servos are hard to repair. That probably explains why so far I have not found a business that repairs them.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
January 28 9:26 PM (15 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         
I will test them tomorrow or monday and let you know.Is that soon enough?The price is fine I'm not using them.

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Davo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1931 Car Accepts
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January 28 9:30 PM (3 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
Thank you, Davo. Tomorrow or Monday works for me. I've had this problem for the past 10 years, so another day or two won't make any difference. Let me know how do send payment.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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January 28 9:59 PM (29 minutes and 1 second later)
         
By the way, if the servo holds the speed steady, yet when going up hills, it either shifts only once, or doesn't shift at all, does that mean the unit may have a vacuum problem? If the unit did have a vacuum problem, that is, if the unit would not hold its vacuum, wouldn't that mean that on the level the car would gradually slow down? My servo holds its speed on the level
Thanks much. Ted
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
January 29 10:33 PM (1 day later)
         
Andy, I'm waiting until tomorrow (Monday) to hear again from Davo. Ted
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
January 30 6:05 PM (19 hours and 32 minutes and 25 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
They are no good from sitting around sorry about that..If yours holds good on level ground it should work on hills.You need to check the adjustment of the rod on the servo it may be in the wrong hole and can't apply the accellerator down enough.The other possibility is the kickdown cable is out of adjustment and isn't downshifting the car soon enough to maintain the speed.There is also a filter on the cruise control where the speedo cables connect if its plugged up it can cause problems.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
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Davo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1931 Car Accepts
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January 30 6:33 PM (27 minutes and 35 seconds later)
         
Davo, thank you for your advice. I will bring up your advice with the only mechanic I let work on my Toro. I didn't know that these servo's can go bad from sitting around. Is this true if they are kept inside? Also, is there any way to get them "reconditioned"? I don't mean that I want to get an after market one. I am interested in getting the one that I have fixed or reconditioned. Can you help with advice on this? Thanks much. Ted
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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