Won't go into gear

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:07 pm

Hi everyone. Well this weekend, while driving, the engine started to rev up while the car started to slow down. I got off the gas and tried giving it a little, nothing. I pulled over and turned the car off.

If you start the car in park it is fine, but try to switch to ANY gear and you start to get a grinding noise and no movement what-so-ever. Checked the fluid level, perfect.

Transmission are foreign to me, I tend to stay to the easy stuff like brakes and suspension. A friend said maybe the clutch pack? Looks like $150 or so for a master rebuild with new clutch pack and steel plates.

Sound like the clutch pack?

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:20 pm

So's you don't feel ignored, if you've not given up checking for a reply entirely.

If I were me I'd switch to the fun of a manual transmission. If that's not possible, I think you are in the business of trying to describe symptoms with words. " Zzzzt, tic, tic, gertch, instead of vroom vroom,..." etc.

The only benefit being to order parts in advance ? I don't know why I do it either.

If you haven't already done it, the solution is probably in pulling the suspected parts for close visual inspection.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:12 pm

Actually no, it doesn't sound like the clutch pack. Those usually die a silent death, no grinding noises. When they do go, the fluid will usually be black and smell burnt. The "A" clutch will prevent any forward movement when it goes, but it will work in reverse. Check and report back.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:36 pm

I'm not getting any gear at all.

I am thinking of just replacing the transmission. Is the a 4 speed auto that would drop in?

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 2:37 pm

T.Hanson wrote:So's you don't feel ignored, if you've not given up checking for a reply entirely.

If I were me I'd switch to the fun of a manual transmission. If that's not possible, I think you are in the business of trying to describe symptoms with words. " Zzzzt, tic, tic, gertch, instead of vroom vroom,..." etc.

The only benefit being to order parts in advance ? I don't know why I do it either.

If you haven't already done it, the solution is probably in pulling the suspected parts for close visual inspection.

Switching to a manual we be great. The money is sadly just now there right now.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 3:39 pm

Alright been doing some research. I havent played with the car since right after the incident. I need to try and see if the car will go into gear when cold, then stops shifting. If this is the case, it might be as small and just needing a filter/fluid exchange.

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:14 pm

Google, Googling can enlighten you on just about anything.

" How an automatic transmission works," to searching for cures for common symptoms. Sometimes I've even found YouTube videos, from changing garage door weather stripping to testing fuel pressure regulators.

Who was Albert Tesla, Copernicus, and Haystack Calhoun...

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:46 pm

Nick wrote:I'm not getting any gear at all.

I am thinking of just replacing the transmission. Is the a 4 speed auto that would drop in?

No, an E28 era 4 speed 4HP22 could be made to work, but not without some effort, a new driveshaft and linkage work among other things. More complicated than it sounds, but not over the top.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 10:09 am

Well I was poking around yesterday at my second job at Pepboys, where I have access to Alldata. And I read a service bulletin from '85, listing the same symptoms as I am getting. And the most likely problem being a clogged oil screen/pick up. So I picked up the parts and will attempt the simple fix today.

I will report back afterwards.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:32 pm

Good and bad news.

Good news: Everyday I learn more about troubleshooting transmissions. Changed out the filter and oil, a little sludge in the pan but nothing crazy. Good pump pressure before and after the cooler, so it's not clogged.

Bad news: Still not fixed. Perhaps pointing to the torque converter. More research...

If anything I will keep updating and someone some day might find this useful.

GripGreg · Post by **GripGreg** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:12 pm

Nick, this may sound silly, but to cover all bases, when you re-filled your tranny, with fluid not oil, did you warm the engine real good, put the tranny in Park on level ground & check the level after putting it through ALL gears?

Jeff Dennis · Post by **Jeff Dennis** » Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:21 am

Nick,

Not sure where you are located but most people here just about give away extra auto transmissions. Lately looks like many cars are being parted maybe a post in for / sale wanted would give you another option.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 4:00 pm

GripGreg wrote:Nick, this may sound silly, but to cover all bases, when you re-filled your tranny, with fluid not oil, did you warm the engine real good, put the tranny in Park on level ground & check the level after putting it through ALL gears?

I used Dexron III as specified from all the locations I looked. Checked with warm engine, level ground in park.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 4:03 pm

Jeff Dennis wrote:Nick,

Not sure where you are located but most people here just about give away extra auto transmissions. Lately looks like many cars are being parted maybe a post in for / sale wanted would give you another option.

That doesn't seem to be the case down in here in Houston. I found a salvage yard in town with a trans for $350, still more than I would like to spend. I will pulling the trans soon, and inspecting the torque converter. Hopefully this is the culprit, as a brand new TC is only ~$175 with tax.

Jeff Dennis · Post by **Jeff Dennis** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 1:32 am

Let us know your results Nick.