Transmission stuck in reverse

RMARCE

MEMBER
1989 DODGE VAN
5.2L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

Transmission locked in reverse and stalls engine.

Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 AT 2:13 PM

8 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon,

If it is locked in reverse, that is an internal failure.

Most likely you will need the transmission to be removed and inspected. It most likely will result in replacement with either a rebuilt unit or a used unit.

Roy

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Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 AT 2:52 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Hi guys. I thought this too, but wouldn't the torque converter still do its thing and let the engine idle? The torque converter would have to be locked up to snub the engine.

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Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 AT 2:57 PM

RMARCE

MEMBER
24 POSTS

The van runs and shifts when in drive.
When you select reverse it attempts to back up then it locks up and stalls the engine.
Could it be the torque converter locking.

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Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 AT 4:09 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

It could be but if the converter was bad, it would also do it in the drive.

I still think you have something internal locking up in reverse. The forward clutch pack may be the issue.

Roy

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Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 AT 4:39 PM

RMARCE