Transmission or something else ?

[Elaine Clements Finn]

Got a 1993 G20 Chevy Sports Van. She's a 5.7 V8 704r. So this was part of the seller's inheritance. She sat for almost one year and prior to owners death, had no Transmission issues. She drives in Neutral and has 0 ZERO Reverse. Like no bucking or any other sensation when it's in reverse. Her trans fluid was dark. I had all fluids changed today and asked the mechanic what he found in the transmission pan. He said there were a few shavings and the fluid was dark but that was it. He told me he was no Transmission guy but really felt like I did not have a transmission problem. The car acts like it has no reverse at all. I was told by a transmission guy to Rev it up a bit after warming it up. If the front clutch in the transmission is stuck together, I should feel it buck like it wants to go into reverse but it can't. I GOT nothing in reverse period. It drives in Neutral which the mechanics that did the fluid changes said they have never seen. Sooooo...do I have a transmission problem, a shift solenoid problem, some sort of cable that's come undone....detent, TV ? My fear is that this is something less expensive than a transmission rebuild and I don't know enough to know what it is ? What do you guys think ? For the record....after all the fluids were changed, it drove like a million bucks !

[Jsdirt]

Probably a hydraulic valve is stuck from the sound of things. ATF is an excellent cleanser, so it might work itself free after a few heat cycles & trips. Might even take 1k miles or more. Will just have to pay attention to where you park for the next month or so. The spring in that valve was probably worn and weak to begin with, making it easier to jam.

 

Revving it in reverse will increase the line pressure, so that may free it up - just be aware of what's behind you, in case it suddenly frees up and slams into reverse.