Transmission will not shift into reverse

Tiny
MUD_HAWG
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 GMC YUKON
Transmission problemn V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic 176000 miles

The transmission on my girlfriend's '99 yukon denali will not shift into reverse, but it will shift into the other gears. I have checked the linkage, fluid, and all electrical plugs on the transmission, I was just wondering if anybody has any ideas of anything else I might can check before she takes it to the shop.
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 AT 3:50 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Nope, when you take it to a shop he will scan it to see if anythiing is wrong elelctrically, but it may be a reverse clutch gone or a roller clutch gone. A good way to check would be to put it in the lowest forward gear. If you have the same trouble it's probably got a clutch out of it and will need a rebuild.
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Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
BRANDY AYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 GMC YUKON
  • 5.7L
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
The last couple years I have put a lot of money into her but here recently when I drive down the highway my speedometer started jumping, then few days later it just completely stopped working and now it will not downshift/up-shift when driving. It will go from PRND but when in drive it does not shift like it is supposed to. I was told the transfer case, then the transmission, but I am hoping for something a little smaller and cheaper like shifting solenoid maybe. Help! Can you help?
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the vehicle speed sensor has gone out and needs replacing. You will need to Here are some diagrams and a guide to help you got the job done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Its held on by 1-13mm bolt and a little transmission fluid will come out as well.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1999 GMC YUKON
  • 155,000 MILES
Changed the breaks in the front of the vehicle and ever since I did that the shifting lever will not move.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
What about shift interlock mechanism? Any abs codes, any trouble codes for anything? Can you take the shift linkage loose from tranny and shift tranny by hand? If you try anything like that, engine off, level ground, tranny out of gear, functional e-brake is set, block the wheels. Have a helper sitting in cab with foot on the brake. Be safe.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Thank you for the response. Yes, it will shift by hand. Also, replaced the brake booster, master cylinder and brake switch. It was parked on an incline too.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I forgot to let you know that no codes are coming up. The brakes sound like their is air in them though.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
You can't shift it without stepping on the brake. Below is wiring for shift interlock mechanism. A generic obd2 code reader may not read ABS codes?
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
How about brake lights? Are they working?
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Yes, brake lights are working. It will start and run though.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
So frustrated because it is not even on the road yet. Could it be the Neutral Safety Switch?
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WALLEYE12345
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 GMC YUKON
  • 5.2L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
I have a 99 yukon. When I went to start it onwe morning a month ago the shift indicator light was out and the speedo and tach were not working along with that, the transmission was not shifting properly it had no power and seemed like as it was in overdrive? Stopped it , started it up and worked fine and shifted fine for 5 days, then same thing goes. It happened back and forth every other day or so seems like electrical maybe >? Computer? Please help!
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Could the parking pawl be damaged?
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
When I hear speedometer and shifting issues, I think about the vehicle speed sensor? I can't guarantee anything. Check for applicable trouble codes. Some of the national brand auto stores will check codes for free. If you want to check codes, yourself, at the least, you need an obd2 code reader.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Check for voltage on the wiring circuits in the diagram, go from there.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I am having difficulty printing the diagram.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRANDAM96
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Also, The guy that I bought the truck from removed his stereo system and put the stock one back in. Do you think it has something to do with it?
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:33 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
You can click on the diagram to enlarge, note the wiring colors. If you can't print it, hand draw it.

I don't know about the stereo system?
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROB357
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1998 GMC YUKON
  • 300,000 MILES
This morning my truck drove fine. But I have noticed that it has been taking it awhile to go into overdrive. So I went down the street this morning same as ever but later I stopped to help a buddy work on his truck and parked in his driveway at a leaning angle so when we got threw with his truck I crunk up and started to leave and noticed my truck taking longer to shift and when it did shift felt like it went from first to third and then felt forth but no overdrive.I cant see the transmission going out that quick. No slipping. Help please.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:34 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the fluid level then scan for codes. Autoparts do for free
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 11:34 AM (Merged)

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