SPONSORED LINKS

Transmission not shifting

Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE VAN
  • 5.9L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I changed the oil pump on my cargo van 2500 47re transmission. I had a friend help, he loosened the cooler lines from the transmission to make it easier to get the oil pan out of the way, I also not knowing better tightened the bolts on the transmission pan which made a petty bad leak the first time I drove it. I lost about three quarts of transmission fluid. The transmission was acting up not shifting properly for about three miles, when I stopped and had a friend help me with the leaks coming from the cooler lines and the pan. I refilled with all purpose transmission fluid, not knowing any better, and drove home, around ten miles, shifted fine. Next morning did not have reverse, will not shift out of first, neutral pulls forward. I changed the fluid and filter and it is still acting the same. The transmission fluid burnt smelling and very dark.
SPONSORED LINKS
Tuesday, January 30th, 2018 AT 8:54 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning.

It sounds like the front clutch pack has seized and will not release. The burned fluid tells me it overheated internally and the result is the clutch failure. The transmission will have to be removed and inspected for the failure.

Roy
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 1:58 AM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Would that keep it from not moving in reverse and wanting to pull forward in neutral? And it is not going to be a electrical issue with bad solenoid or something?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 2:38 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, if the front clutch is seized, it will not reverse.

No electrical, this is a mechanical issue.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 4:18 AM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you Roy.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:05 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Your welcome.

A cheaper alternative is to get a used transmission and install. A lot less money than a rebuild.

Roy
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:07 AM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
That is what I have been looking at since your answer. I can probably get a 46re for $200.00 or $300.00. I think with the help of a friend I should be able to swap it out. My brother and I did a transmission swap ten years ago, I do not remember it being easy but we got it done. Any tips on removing and installing? It is straight forward I will be doing it on the ground no fancy lifts.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:16 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
That one is easy, the rear wheel drives are not difficult. Just take your time and use a piece of plywood with your floor jack to get it out.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:21 AM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you so much for your help. I wish I could afford to just take it to a shop I am coming back to work after five months off with a back injury, as soon as I get going the van has issues. I have been off three week's messing with the van. Your help is gratefully appreciated. Your a great guy for taking your time to answer questions for people like me. I know just enough to get me in trouble, which I have successfully done this time. Once again thank you very much.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:22 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No problem. We are here to help.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Maybe you can help with one more problem? The whole reason I got into this mess was the oil pump. My oil pressure was dropping to zero after the engine warmed up then would go back to normal by giving a little gas. At first the new pump seemed to fix it then started dropping back to zero. I then changed the sending unit, I know should have done that first, but there was a loud ticking I thought was the engine, it was the catalytic converter breaking apart inside. Sounded to me like the engine, but it was obviously the converter. But the oil pressure is still doing same thing with new oil pump and sending unit. Does this mean my bearings are bad? Or could it be a different problem. There are quite a few vacuum lines that break very easy, small ones, I did not know if a vacuum leak would make the oil gauge act up. I have not had a chance to use a manual oil pressure tester yet.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:42 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Was the pick up screen clogged?
It could also be worn bearings causing the low oil pressure. I would switch your oil to 20-50 and see what happens to the pressure.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The screen was fine I blow thru the pick up tube and screen no problem I'll try diffrent motor oil weight. I'm also going to hook up a manual oil pressure test guage where the oil sending unit goes that way ill know for sure if the pressure is really dropping.
I also found a trans for $100 with a 30 day warranty at pull a part, I'm going to tackle that 1st thing in the morning I'll let you know how it goes
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good idea. It will tell you what you need to do to yours as well.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hey Roy it is David I was speaking with you yesterday. I am at junkyard noticed shift cable on all these do not look like mine. On the other side of the metal bracket by the transmission there bushing or clip with a spring Inside. On mine the spring has popped out. This is a picture of one at junkyard the part right above the long spring. The picture is truck at junkyard. What they all look like mine as the spring popped out. I did not think it looked right.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, February 1st, 2018 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It does not look correct at all.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, February 1st, 2018 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
DAVID DETRANA
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The picture is the one at junkyard on mine the spring has popped out and just hanging there. Could this simply be the problem it is a bushing or clip on the transmission side of bracket holding shift cable?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, February 1st, 2018 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You can try that. It is a return for throttle cable. Try it and see before removing the transmission.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, February 1st, 2018 AT 9:08 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Not Shifting Content

VIEW MORE

Sponsored links