Intermittent problem

joedown · Jan 8, 2013

I'm having an issue that comes and goes. Cannot go in reverse. Forward gears work but high RPMs before shifting like it's in limp mode. This problem comes and goes. No trouble codes are thrown. When the problem goes away everything is normal. Where do I start to look for this issue? Could this be an ECM issue?

joedown · Jan 10, 2013

This is getting frustrating! Got home last night and started it up. Put it in reverse and backed out of the driveway no problem. Took it for a drive and everythings working normally. Not sure how to troubleshoot an issue like this that comes and goes. Does this sound like an electrical or mechanical issue?

POWER-STRUCK · Jan 11, 2013

not enough info to help you. what trouble codes on a real scan tool? color of trans fluid on a white towel? last service? have you done any work on this trans by yourself?

without knowing what you have going on i would tell you to pull the pan and filter, check valve body bolts to see if they came loose, if the fluid looks good and trans filter is not restricted then more than likely the trans has problems internal, assuming that you have checked all linkages, wiring, pcm faults

Cr500 · Jan 11, 2013

When sitting still, when you shift to reverse does it hesitate b
Effort going into gear?

joedown · Jan 11, 2013

Cr500 said:
When sitting still, when you shift to reverse does it hesitate b
Effort going into gear?

I just changed the fluid recently so it's good. The trans is a John Woods Towmaster. I use Auto Enginuity to check for codes but there wasn't any showing that were relevant.

When the issue is happening and I put it in reverse it's the same as putting it in neutral. It's like there are two neutral positions on the shift selector if that makes sense.

POWER-STRUCK · Jan 11, 2013

does the shift handle feel sloppy? does the shifter have high effort?

joedown · Jan 11, 2013

POWER-STRUCK said:
does the shift handle feel sloppy? does the shifter have high effort?

Shift handle is solid and easy to shift. Truck has been well taken care of with only 59,000 miles on it.

I'm starting to lean toward this being a mechanical issue either a bad seal in the reverse clutch or a sticking valve. I probably need to drive it more.

POWER-STRUCK · Jan 11, 2013

joedown said:
Shift handle is solid and easy to shift. Truck has been well taken care of with only 59,000 miles on it.

I'm starting to lean toward this being a mechanical issue either a bad seal in the reverse clutch or a sticking valve. I probably need to drive it more.

i have a feeling that you are correct