[montymn]

Hey guys,

I've been a lurker here for a while but haven't needed to post until now and I am looking for some help and advice.

As the title suggests, I'm having some trouble with shifting into reverse first thing after starting it up in the morning.

Some recent info to consider: I live in Minnesota and we have had the coldest winter on record for as long as I can remember. After a -38F day (-60+ windchill) my battery voltage dipped so low that it through a lot of electrical things off on startup. Brought it into the shop in limp mode and they dropped a new battery in, reset the computer and codes, and it was good to go.

The current problem: A couple days after the battery fiasco, I noticed this issue with reverse. Now, part of me wants to pawn off the problem as something not directly related to the mechanics of the transmission for a couple reasons. 1) the extreme cold weather. 2) we've had constant snow for a couple weeks so I haven't washed the truck in weeks. There's got to be a lot of ice and snow frozen under the poor thing. 3) I just recently ran into a lot of electrical hiccups as mentioned. Does anyone here have any idea why my truck would refuse to shift into reverse until warmed up (usually just a few minutes)?

Things to note: Have never had transmission issues before, all forward gears work immediately on engine start. When I try to shift into reverse, it kind of acts as if it is in neutral and the engine will rev, but it doesn't translate to movement.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kenzen]

Low transmission fluid level comes to mind. I'm not familiar with the shift linkage, but maybe a linkage misalignment that works its way into position with temperature and vibration.

 

[KILLERADO]

Low fluid level, loss of pressure, or simply super cold weather. The factory specifies that anything less than 3 seconds is normal, but when you are waiting for your transmission to engage 3 seconds feels like an eternity.

 

[montymn]

@Kenzen, I'll definitely check the fluid asap. Linkage misalignment sounds undesirable to say the least.
@KILLERADO, unless I'm going crazy, it takes more on the factor of 30 seconds to a couple minutes depending on how cold it is.

 

[KILLERADO]

@KILLERADO, unless I'm going crazy, it takes more on the factor of 30 seconds to a couple minutes depending on how cold it is.

If it is taking that long to engage, there is most likely an issue with the reverse input clutch, or the hydraulic circuit feeding it. Both of these issues are going to be internal to the transmission.

 

[Iceman62]

Sorry, but we could play the "what if" game all day and I know what you're going through w/the cold weather (MN born & raised). Best recommendation is to find a reputable tranny shop and have them run a check. If it's simple fluid, have it flushed/filled, if not - hope it's something little. Good luck!

 

[OldGuy]

Two suggestions:
1. Fluid probably becomes thick in those temperatures, and rubber seals probably don't like these temperatures either. I'd pour a bottle of a good "miracle in a bottle" stuff for transmissions that says it softens seals. I can't see where this would hurt anything.
2. Do yourself a favor and start the truck and put it in neutral and go back inside and have another cup of coffee while everything warms up and the transmission fluid circulates. Yeah, you'll have to get up a little earlier, but the time spent inside where it's warm would be better than spending that time in the car trying to get it to go into reverse.
Just my thoughts. Hope warmer weather comes soon and you can see if it's just a temperature related issue.
-30 degrees? BBBRRRRRRR!! That makes this Georgia boy feel pretty wimpy for complaining about the weather we're having! I'm complaining because the high here today is only in the 50's!!

 

[seespark]

My vehicle a 1987 Pontiac Grand AM w/auto trans and it works and shifts good but when doing a 1st start after sitting for long period it goes into reverse but the vehicle will not move until it is warmed up to a certain point and you can have it in reverse and it will then shift. If you try to shift before it is warm and it shifts when you rev the engine it causes a loud bang but vehicle will then move cause it has shifted.