Gentleman,

Here is to picking your brains. Inherited a truck from my brother that has needed a lot of attention and now I am on the transmission. Finally was able to test drive it after tons of small jobs on it and reverse is buzzing and it was in limp mode and throwing a solenoid code. I just serviced it...new borg warner solenoid kit, harness, filter, band adjustment...etc etc...
I noticed on the column it wouldn't shift into first gear even while truck wasn't running. I have it up on stands. Replaced all the external linkage bushings for good measure. You can disconnect the linkage and go through all the gears...The pawl engages in park and locks the driveshaft just fine. First gear is a bit tough. You have to go from 2-1 a few times before it actually clicks and holds...and when it holds the trans locks and can no longer spin the driveshaft.
I just noticed that since I was only able to engage after i got the truck in the air and the external linkage disconnected.
On to reverse. The gear does operate and the truck moves however you hear a loud buzz coming from what I believe is the overdrive section...almost like the pawl is chattering against the sprockets like a card in bike spokes. Check out the vid from inside the cab.

So to summarize, reverse buzzing and first gear is engaging the pawl...how is that possible? I am attempting to fix this without dropping the trans....interesting note..this was towed from my brothers property and wondering if the tow company put it in a gear instead of neutral before dragging it. Thanks gents!

Mike

 

That does sound like the parking pawl isn't completely disengaging...... I suspect the internal linkage may have some problems.

As for not moving in manual first.... The trans does different things to get first gear, depending on where the shifter is. In manual first, I think it actually uses the band, but, not when the trans is in drive, and you are stopped.....

 

Yea, I mean I can drop the pan and the valve body to see whats up with the rooster comb and the rod...maybe the issue is in there. What I don't want to do unless necessary is pull out the transfer case and the OD unit. There is no buzz when you put the truck in D 2 or N and the driveshaft freely spins. I was just under it again...you can pretty much feel the pawl engaging in first gear...one hand on the driveshaft and the other on the shift linkage...it wont shift into first then, it does when you slightly turn the shaft....and you can hear the pawl click in the OD section...odd...I can take another vid of that maybe

 

I have been trying to see how the pawl works.....maybe it is disengaged in the OD and when you put its completely coming out of its seat and locking...vice versa for reverse.

 

Have a service manual for your truck yet? If not, get one here. Lots of good pics of how things are supposed to look in there.

 

TSB 21-11-97 will fix the reverse buzz. You will need a 5/16 drill bit to open the hole more On the reverse plate.