Reverse not working after driving with no transmission fluid

PERCELLA

MEMBER
2000 DODGE NEON
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
130 MILES

Hello, at first it was hesitant when I put my foot on the gas and wouldn't make it up my hill in driveway. But then we noticed there was no transmission fluid, so we got some and now the car runs fine but now the car won't go back (reverse). I'm not sure why but it just doesn't reverse there's no check engine lights on or anything. So i'm just trying to figure out what the problem could be and if it could be a major issue.

Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 AT 2:33 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,055 POSTS

Hi,

How low was the transmission fluid when you noticed it was low? Also, when it wouldn't climb the hill, was the engine revving and the car not moving?

When you place the vehicle in drive, does it engage quickly, and does first gear or any gear slip?

Let me know.

Joe

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Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 AT 7:59 PM

PERCELLA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well, it's driving up hills and stuff normal now, the only thing that's not working now is the reverse. But when it wasn't going up the hill the car would revving, and the RPMs would go up, but the car wouldn't move. Once I put fluid in that stopped it engages quickly and isn't hesitant but the moment I put it in reverse it doesn't move at all it just revs.

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Sunday, January 2nd, 2022 AT 8:05 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,055 POSTS

Hi,

Looking through the manuals, where I believe the issue may be with the transmission fluid line pressure. Reverse requires the highest amount of pressure to work.

When you check the fluid level, is it really dirty? I'm thinking that when the clutch packs were slipping, it produced a lot of debris in the transmission and now the filter may be partially plugged causing line pressure to be reduced.

If you look at the two pics, I wanted you to see the pressure differences between drive (first gear) and reverse. I highlighted them.

Let me know if you have already removed the transmission pan and replaced the filter and fluid. Here is a link showing in general how it is done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

IF this hasn't been done, I feel it is a good place to start. If the pan is full of clutch material and dirt, the filter may be the issue or there could be a restriction at another point such as the cooler.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)