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Author Topic: Transmission WILL NOT engage  (Read 20485 times)

Offline deanthethird

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Transmission WILL NOT engage
« on: June 04, 2012, 08:11:00 pm »
This past weekend I bought a 78 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup. It's a real nice looking truck with a strong running 305 (with Edelbrock intake and carb) to a th350 auto trans. I have one problem with it: it no longer moves. After unloading, I went to move it into the yard and the first thing I noticed was the shifting column wasn't aligned. P was reverse and N was drive, so on and so forth. But this wasn't to big of an issue because at least it moved. However, after driving it 10 yards, I could no longer get it to move. By messing around with the heater (strange) and giving it lots of gas, I was able to limp into the yard, where I figured adding some transmission fluid would solve the problem. However, after adding the fluid, it still wasn't fixed, and now it doesn't budge whatsoever. I'm not really sure what it could be, and know I'm not giving much information to go on, but I'm out of ideas here.
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Offline Blazin

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2012, 10:06:22 pm »
Was the fluid low? Is it burnt smelling?
Is the linkage moving all the way to the transmission when you move it on the column?
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Offline codyC10kid

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2012, 10:48:34 pm »
Is your TQ and pump installed right?is there fluid allll the way full?Is your linkage on the tranny tight (1/2 bolt)?pull the pan off is there alot of metal shavings?is the linkage in the tranny working right? Valve body pluged in some way???
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Offline bake74

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2012, 07:12:04 am »
     Since you just got the truck, do some simple checks first and report back so we can help you.  As mentioned you added fluid,    1: did it need fluid ?
 2:  Check the linkage going to the transmission to make sure it is actually moving. (you can shift into drive in the truck, then climb under the truck and manually move the linkage back to park and count to make sure it was in drive,make sure truck is off please and wheels are blocked) 
 3:  Put truck in drive, start and have someone look to see if rear drive shaft is moving and truck is not moving ( I assume truck is 2wd since you did not mention anything about being 4wd ?  If it is 4wd it could be problem with transfer case and not transmission)
     Report back so we can help you find out what is wrong.  Good luck

     Sorry, forgot to mention, welcome to the site from California.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2012, 07:23:36 am by bake74 »
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Offline deanthethird

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2012, 08:09:19 am »
It did need fluid, but it did not smell burnt. I tried checking the linkage but to the best of my knowledge, it's working. However I will try the suggested way to test it. How would I check the TQ and pump? Also i forgot to mention it is 4wd, but the I had just fixed (thought I fixed) the transfer case by replacing the vacuum hose. Your help is much appreciated!
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Offline codyC10kid

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2012, 11:31:13 am »
the vacum hose on the Tranny,is that hooked up to the intake on the motor...I really dought that you TQ converter is installed rounge if you where able to move it first time.it was just a sugjestion...what kinda transfer case do you have
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Offline deanthethird

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2012, 11:46:30 am »
How do I check to see which transfer case it is?
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Offline bake315

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2012, 11:48:38 am »
Maybe the previous owner thought it'd be a good idea to flush the tranny for the first time in forever, and by doing so, killed it?
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Offline deanthethird

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2012, 12:13:23 pm »
No I talked to the guy and it was all new to him that it didn't move, and I think he was pretty genuine. I think it's something obvious that I'm just overlooking
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Offline thirsty

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2012, 01:25:01 pm »
Try your transfer case in a different gear.
Maybe you have a full time NP203 and it is trying to put the power where it can't use it. Do you have lock out hubs? are both your driveshafts in it? The transfer case is not between gears or in neutral is it? Does the truck have a body lift? Just trying to get some more info out of you so we can help better.
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Offline deanthethird

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2012, 03:56:23 pm »
I have tried the transfer case in all gears, and the truck does have both drive shafts. In addition, the truck does have a lift, does that have any implications on what the issue is?
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Offline thirsty

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2012, 05:23:48 pm »
If you have a body lift you have to manipulate the linkages to work. I was hoping that the p.o. might have done that and you could find something he did wrong. Trying to rule out all obvious stuff before calling it a transmission issue.
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Give me a long enough lever and a place to stand, and I shall move the earth or break this bolt...Whatever, just hold my beer!

Offline codyC10kid

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2012, 06:55:16 pm »
heres another thing....the transfercase linkages,did they come loose and you are in N and tho you move the lever it wont move the linkage itself
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Offline deanthethird

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2012, 08:18:13 pm »
So to check that transfer case linkage should I have someone shift the transfer case and look for it to move underneath? I think that may be the problem because the transfer case hadn't been working properly
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Offline codyC10kid

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Re: Transmission WILL NOT engage
« Reply #14 on: June 05, 2012, 10:17:54 pm »
Quote from: deanthethird on June 05, 2012, 08:18:13 pm
So to check that transfer case linkage should I have someone shift the transfer case and look for it to move underneath? I think that may be the problem because the transfer case hadn't been working properly
Yeap have help doing it....Or if you dont have carpet you could just unbolt the floor pan if that has that opition
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