Author Topic: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.  (Read 1666 times)

Offline Spool

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Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« on: January 12, 2022, 02:16:37 PM »
Hey Guys- 73 C20 Here.

Been months since a post or work on my truck at all as I'm overseas again. Hope you've all be well.

To get to it - I hired a tow company to move my truck across state lines.
Towman gets there, fires up the truck, and says Drive won't catch... Transmission issue?
Was driving fine when I parked it in July, albeit a slow transmission fluid leak - is that my culprit?

Any thoughts or experience with something like this?

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2022, 03:53:06 PM »
Maybe someone stole your driveshaft  ;D

Check the fluid level
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Spool

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2022, 12:29:54 AM »
Possible actually - good old Los Angeles...

Wouldn't be surprised if the trans fluid is low - it had a slow drip/leak around the pan months ago.
I read online that, and I paraphrase, 'you'd be surprised how much fluid pressure you need for a gear to catch.'

Still a problem I'll have to address months from now when I return, but was curious to know what you guys thought.
Thanks, Vile- hope you've been good.

Online VileZambonie

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2022, 04:24:17 PM »
Yes, and after sitting you get a lot of drain back so it's most likely just low and needs time to prime.

All good here, just too cold for my likes. Hope all is well with you too.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Spool

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2022, 05:04:47 PM »
So, I got the truck in tow to Phoenix where my brother will park her in his driveway for me.
When he gets the truck, I'll walk him through getting her warmed up, but as for the gears not catching, I'll ask him to add transmission fluid.

I've never touched my own transmission fluid - always had a shop do it.
If I send him to AutoZone or O'Reillys, is there a specific transmission fluid I should get?
And how much should he add at first?

Any other tips or tricks?
(Only need to drive it up a driveway)

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2022, 09:51:01 PM »
I think Dexron was the OEM oil.

Remember: the dipstick is your friend!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Rapid Roy

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2022, 10:11:53 PM »
So, I got the truck in tow to Phoenix where my brother will park her in his driveway for me.
When he gets the truck, I'll walk him through getting her warmed up, but as for the gears not catching, I'll ask him to add transmission fluid.

I've never touched my own transmission fluid - always had a shop do it.
If I send him to AutoZone or O'Reillys, is there a specific transmission fluid I should get?
And how much should he add at first?

Any other tips or tricks?
(Only need to drive it up a driveway)
[/quote

Start engine, let it warm up to normal operating temp. Check level with dipstick, add if necessary.
1974 Cheyenne 10 LWB STOCK 350 W HEI /TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet
Mopar by Birth
Chevy by Choice

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2022, 11:09:55 PM »
Just so nothing is lost, check while engine is running.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline 1980K20

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2022, 10:01:28 AM »
My dipstick seal was leaking, so much gone that the level was really low.  Put in a new dipstick and accidently dumped more fluid in the process. I added a ton of fluid, thought it was enough, drove it around the driveway and it was slow to catch. Added more, found a nice led light helps me to read the dipstick better, and now it shifts fine.

Second the suggestion it's probably just low.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

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1952 International L112 - waiting for EV conversion
1967 Camaro - 250 six cyl, 200-4R
1980 K20 4x4 Fleetside - 350 SBC roller Cam, TH350

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2022, 08:20:19 PM »
So she's not dead! Awesome!

Time for service: new filter, pan gasket, fresh oil, dipstick tube seal.

Good as new.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline 1980K20

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2022, 12:37:03 AM »
So she's not dead! Awesome!

Time for service: new filter, pan gasket, fresh oil, dipstick tube seal.

Good as new.

I hear ya.

And now my camaro dipstick is leaking too, only five years old. I now know to get a good quality name brand double oring stick.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
--------------------------------------
1952 International L112 - waiting for EV conversion
1967 Camaro - 250 six cyl, 200-4R
1980 K20 4x4 Fleetside - 350 SBC roller Cam, TH350

Offline 68post

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Re: Drive won't catch after 7 month idle.
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2022, 08:46:45 PM »
If your trans gets high mileage and/or a little loosey-goosey a bottle of "Lucas Transmission Fix" really does make a difference !