1994 Dodge Caravan won't idle in reverse
 

Hi:

I have a 1994 Dodge Caravan 3 speed automatic that wants to die when put into reverse gear. Forward gears seem to work fine - maybe shifts a little later than normal, but when I put it into reverse, it goes into gear instantly and if I apply the brake with it in reverse it will die - like it's engaging too much. Also, the accelerator pedal gets hard when I put it into reverse. Any ideas?

You may have a torque coverter locking up, only in reverse. Also ck your linkage too. There has been problems with the linkage rusting up on the early caravan's.

Now it won't upshift in forward gears - has 1st gear functioning normally. Oil is nice and pink. Put a pressure gauge on the line tap and there is 52 - 75# in P,N,D,2, and 1. Usually 75# in P when I first start it up - sometimes drops to 52# when I put it in one of the forward gears. Reads 0 pressure in Reverse.

With the gauge on the low/reverse tap: P - 0#, R - about 260#, N - 0#, D - 0#, 2 - 0#, 1 - about 65#.

All readings taken at idle.


It does act like the converter is locked up in reverse. Makes no difference to unplug the TCC solenoid...

Linkage seems fine.

Update:


I adjusted the throttle valve linkage and now the transmission upshifts at the proper speeds, but occasionally won't downshift into 1st. That's what the problem with reverse was - it was actually stuck in 2nd gear, and when I shifted into reverse it would die.

It will go into 1st properly every time when I manually shift it into 1st, but not always in D.

Governor sticking a little?

That would be my guess. I've seen that more than a few times

Make shure the trans cooler isn't plugged. bypass the cooler temporarily and see if it still happens.

The governer valves are sticking and will cause no up or down shifting.

Yes, thanks - I suspect the governor now. I have purchased one of the governor spring kits from Sonnax and plan to install that when I change filter and fluid. Anything else I should look for?