Either an ATF thief or a crooked repair shop.

 

OK, now that I got it started, does anyone else think (after reading this thread) that if I pull the tranny pan, and if there are no or little metal shavings, that I should try a new gasket and some ATF to see if it might move? Or should I just assume, metal shavings or not, that it needs a rebuild. I don't know how "bullet proof" these trannys are.

 

Tough call since metal shaving are not a tell-all that a problem exists. There are many other things that can go wrong that have nothing to do with metal being ground down or shaved.

 

Thanks. I guess the next thing I'll do is pull the pan and see #1 if there is any fluid at all in it and #2 check for metal. I think I can check the band adjustment when the pan is off too. Can I check what the shift linkage is doing? Not sure what I should see. I'll let you know what I find.

 

Well I pulled the pan and there was only enough fluid left in it to fill the pan. No signs of metal and bands seemed tight. Cleaned everything up, put a new filter and gasket. Only had 4 quarts of ATF+4 so put it all in and it moves forward! I couldn't believe it moved after what it's been through. Still no reverse but it's getting late and I've lost enough blood from the skeeters for one night. I guess there might be a linkage problem but first I need to warm it up and make sure the fluid is full. Any tips on why it only goes forward will be appreciated.

Thanks for all the help so far. We'll get this thing going yet!

Todd

 

OK, hope someone is still following this thread. Here's where I'm at so far (Stumped again). The van moves forward in R-N-D-D2 or D1. Seems to be in Park in P. Checked what I can of the linkage and don't see anything obvious. Any ideas????

 

OK I have a 2000 and when I went through the process of having to replace governor solenoid, governor transducer my trans would not go into reverse until the fluid level was correct. Oddly, it would go into drive and shifted into 2nd/3rd ok. The issue was more pronounced when the the van was on an incline (trying to back uphill).

Check transmission fluid level in neutral when engine and trans are hot and be certain the vehicle is level. If not overfilled, add a pint and then try reverse.

 

Thanks. I wasn't sure if the fluid level being low would cause such bizarre stuff. I only put 4 quarts in (not sure how much it takes) after the filter change so plan to warm it up and top it off. I'll let you know if it returns to normal after it's full.

 

According to Shopkey5, it takes 8.5 quarts so guess I have a ways to go.

 

It is s a little different each time I've done it but that sounds about right. Recommend adding fluid slowly after the first few quarts and wiping/checking the dipstick closely. Clean transmission fluid can be hard to see in low light IMO - or maybe I'm just getting old - but either way I suggest adding the last 4 - 5 pints very slowly. Believe it or not its actually better to be a pint low than a pint over.