Transmission in reverse regardless of gear selection

Dixon

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I had an unusual occurrence today. Drove the 65 Newport wagon about 25 miles with no issues. Dropped off passengers and when I backed out of their driveway and shifted to "Drive" the tranny stayed in "Reverse". Goes into "Park" and "Neutral" but in any "movement" gear selected it's still in reverse. R, D, 2,1, my cars only goes reverse. I'm not so good at trannys so I am stumped on where to even start. Thanks all,
 
I’m really just a spectator for this one

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Do you have park and neutral without any movement detected. If so there is likely an internal problem in the tranny. It is likely to do with the rear band staying engaged. On autos you need two components working together to make a movement. On Chryco trannies it is a combination of clutches and Bands. The common denominator here is the rear band. First thing I would do is pull the pan and see if the rear band is functional.
 
Yes, in park it is in park. Neutral in neutral (will roll downhill). I was afraid it may be internal. Thank you, rkrochen.
 
Since neutral works it's hard to imagine linkage broke or slipping not allowing it to move into drive, but the easiest thing to do first is verify the linkage moves freely and completely
 
Yes, in park it is in park. Neutral in neutral (will roll downhill). I was afraid it may be internal. Thank you, rkrochen.
The only thing that could be repaired externally is if the servo is stuck. Most likely need to remove the tranny and overhaul. If it is a high miler I would just rebuild.
 
As noted, the servo is probably stuck. Pull the pan, if the pan is full of black gunk you are headed to a rebuild. Sometimes the servo piston can get stuck from the piston getting wedged in the bore, usually because of excessive wear. FSM shows how to disassemble the servo. If is is getting stuck, it is time to replace the servo assuming the rest of the transmission is not toast.

Dave
 
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Thanks for the advice, all. I'm thinking I'll just get it to a shop and have it rebuilt. I really have no definitive idea what the mileage really is or how it's been treated the last 54 years. I will update when repaired.
 
And the plot thickens (doesn't it always?). Went to the other house (1/2 mile away), started her up, and she drove fine. Additional info for the repair shop Monday in any event. Stay tuned.
 
And the plot thickens (doesn't it always?). Went to the other house (1/2 mile away), started her up, and she drove fine. Additional info for the repair shop Monday in any event. Stay tuned.

Possible verification of a stuck servo piston that freed-up after everything cooled down?

CBODY67
 
Quite possible, I'd say. Something cooled down and freed up. Thanks.

Now wondering if some atf cleaner additive might be something to think about adding, then driving it a bit more? If nothing else, it'll get things cleaner for the rebuild . . . although the shop should pull the case and such apart and pressure clean them in some sort of cleaning machine.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
 
I’m not a fan of additives. If it was mine I would remove the pan and take the servo apart. See if there is anything visible such as worn sealing ring or bore wear. Check the filings in the pan to see if they are excessive. Adding an additive won’t help the rebuilder as he needs to thoroughly clean things anyways. Usually trannies are easy to clean.
 
Just an update everyone. It has acted funky a couple more times i.e. no reverse...put in Park...then reverse...works. Anyway, I had my shop, while they were doing other work, drain fluid (looked pretty good), check pan (no remarkable shavings etc.), new fluid and filter. Drove her home (about 20 miles)...stuck in reverse again, Cooled down an hour and works. I think a remanufactured tranny is in her near future. Can't be trusted. Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll let y'all know.
 
Just replace the servo. If you had done it when you dropped the pan it would have added an hour to the job and $75 for parts.

Randy

It's still worth a shot for what little it costs vs a full rebuild. If the trans operates properly otherwise and the fluid looked good with no shrapnel in the pan, I wouldn't mess with it. Install servo kit, adjust the bands and call it a day.

Kevin
 
Just replace the servo. If you had done it when you dropped the pan it would have added an hour to the job and $75 for parts.

Randy

It's still worth a shot for what little it costs vs a full rebuild. If the trans operates properly otherwise and the fluid looked good with no shrapnel in the pan, I wouldn't mess with it. Install servo kit, adjust the bands and call it a day.

Kevin
Thanks. We'll try that.
 
It’s unfortunate that you didn’t take the Servo out while you had the pan off. I like the replacement mentioned in the previous reply. Get one and install it, almost guarantee it will resolve the problem. For the cost it’s worth the try. While your at it adjust the front band as well.
 
Adjust the low reverse band, it letting the servo pop out too far.
Don't go back to that shop.
Customer comes in saying car was stick in reverse and all you do is R&R the filter and fluid?
Find a new shop, those people are lazy and not that bright.
Anyone who pulls the pan on a Chrysler trans and does not adjust the low reverse band does not know what they are doing. Go find another shop.
 
Just closing the loop on this entire thread. On advice from an actual transmission shop, I took the leap and had the tranny removed and "remanufactured". What a difference. Smooth but firm shifts, nothing funky yet. I think it was money well spent. Thanks all for the advice. Peace.....
 
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