Car won't Move in reverse

CWINTERS52

MEMBER
OLDSMOBILE

I have a 1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette van, about 130,000 miles on it (V6 engine, 3800). It's an automatic. For awhile, it has been really hard to shift from park to reverse, and reverse to park. For the past few days now, it has been shifting gears smoother, but today, when I put it in reverse, it wouldn't budge. Then, when I put it into drive and then back to reverse, it would work off and on. What do you think is the problem? Please help.

3 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

When say it is hard to do, do you mean physically stiff or delayed action?

Also, how often have your changed the transmission filter and fluid?

IS the fluid full?

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Monday, August 6th, 2007 AT 6:22 AM

CWINTERS52

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I mean it is physically stiff and the transmission fluid is full, it has been changed recently

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Monday, August 6th, 2007 AT 10:13 AM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

There is an arm on the transmission that may be sticking, or the cable. On the transmission there is a shift lever that the cable attaches to.
There is a cable lock button that needs to be lifted up to release the cable movement. Move the selector, is it moving free? IF yes continue below, if no, replace the cable.

Move the shift lever located on the tranny by hand, is it stiff? IF yes, spray it with a good penetrating fluid and work it. If it doesn't loosen up, it may be internal in the transmission. If it is moving free,
Put the gear selector into neutral, move the lever on the trans counterclockwise, the last spot is park. Move it two places clockwise and it is then in nuetral also. Push down on the cable lock button and your done.

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Monday, August 6th, 2007 AT 10:38 AM