QuestionGOOD MORNING SIR,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP WE DID WHAT YOU HAD SUGGESTED AND THE TRANSMISSION PAN HAD GRAY SLUDGE IN THE BOTTOM AND THE FILTER WAS STOPPED UP WE PUT EVERY THING BACK TOGETHER,NOW IT WILL GO IN REVERSE BUT IF YOU PUT THE GAS TO IT,IT ONLY GOES IN ONE SPEED REAL SLOW. ANY IDEAS.
AGAIN THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP YOU ARE A #1 IN OUR BOOK.THANKS
AND GOD BLESS YOU
SHIRLEY S.----------------------
Followup To
Question -
i have a 79 chevy scottsdale 4wd.
automatic trans.
the other day i when i put the truck in reverse
it wouldn't go or it will move real slow.
it jus wont back up when i put it into reverse.
can ya tell me what's going on?
thanks
and God bless
shirley s.
Answer -
Shirley,
It could a couple of problems.
Is the transmission full of oil? After running the vehicle for 10 miles or so, pull onto a level area and put the transmission in "Park." Set the parking brake, leave the engine running, and open the hood. Pull the transmission dipstick and make sure that the oil is near the "Full Hot" mark on it. Look at the fluid on the dipstick. It should be red and not brown. It should not smell burnt.
When was the last time the transmission had a fluid and filter change? The filter inside the transmission can get plugged up and cause the vehicle not to work in reverse or the forward gears.
The transmission may be worn out. If so, it will have to be rebuilt or replaced. If you are told this by a shop, make sure to get a second (and even a third) opinion that the transmission is bad.
If you take the vehicle in to have the fluid and filter changed, try to be nearby when the pan is removed. Some gray metallic material is normal (there is a magnet in the pan to attract the material), but a lot of material indicates serious trouble and major transmission work will likely be required to correct it.
AnswerShirley,
With a plugged up filter, the internal parts of the transmission will overheat (the fluid cools the trasnmission bands, gears, and bearings).
In addition, changing the fluid and filter will cause what is known as "fluid shock" in a few cases because the transmission internal parts are suddenly exposed to clean fluid in the proper amounts. The clean fluid can also dislodge contamination that had built up because of the restricted flow (plugged filter) and that, in turn, can cause problems like you describe (reverse starts working again but the forward gears stop working).
If the vehicle does not improve in a couple of days, I think that you may need to have the transmission rebuilt. I would ask friends and/or co-workers for recommendations for a good shop in your area. Also, do not be afraid to get a second (and even a third) opinion about the possible repair options and cost.
Don't feel bad about this. I have a vehicle that had a disconnected cable to the transmission. I thought it was for passing gear but it turned out to be the control over the internal pressure in the transmission. The transmission blew up during a cross country move and cost me over $2,200.00 for repairs.
