Reverse gear slipping

[tweek814]

97 Eclipse GSX A/T

So here's my story. Living in central PA, with a lowered gsx, and a mud pit for a driveway. I'm sure you can guess where this is going. Got it stuck, hung-up I should say. Ended up having to get it pulled out, err, ripped out.. by a friend.

But anyway, while it was stuck.. I was trying to get it rocking back and forth, and I think I may have kinda slammed it into reverse a little roughly, maybe while i was still moving forward. Not sure but after about ten minutes of trying, my reverse gear seemed to stop responding altogether.

Now sitting on flat ground in neutral, idleing, when I put it into reverse my idle doesnt change and reverse gear is completely unresponsive. But after a few seconds the idle slowly drops a couple hundred rpms and I get a little response when I hit the gas. But I mean I can red line it and hardly budge. Its almost like its trying to get into gear but its just not fully engaging. And this is best case scenario. Once it gets warmed up forget it, theres almost no response.

I added some fluid because I know how unreliable the tranny dipsticks can be so I figured it shouldn't hurt to add a little. But no difference.

My next step is going to be a fluid flush/pull the pan and check for debris.

Any other advice/input? Im lost when it comes to tranny problems.

Edit: All other gears are fine and everything seems to shift completely normal. The problem is only with reverse.

Slight update;

I went for a bottle of Seafoam Trans tune up but they were all out, so I settled with a bottle of the Lucas Oil trans tune up, supposed to help with slipping and junk. I added the entire bottle (24 oz) and it really didnt seem to help whatsoever. Smelled the trans dip stick before adding and it definitely smelled burnt.

I'm thinking I lost my reverse band. Just trying to save myself 2 grand here.. I'm in the process of buying a house with a garage at the moment. So money is tight, and I'm just trying to hold off until I can at least pull the car into a garage and pull the pan/change the fluid. But I really think it needs a rebuild.

Any info/expertise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tweek814]

Anyone?

C'mon guys I dont know shit about trannys

I've already started pricing some used ones.. I would need the W4A33 correct? And even if i had the W4A32 for whatever reason, would a 33 bolt right up?

 

[motomattxxx]

I would have to say that you stripped your splines on your sunshell, common problem...dont EVER rock an automatic transmission when its stuck!

 

[tweek814]

Talked to a friend, he said he thinks its the torque converter. I argued, because the ATF smells badly burnt. Also, I had it in reverse today, and floored it just to see if it would catch at higher rpm's. Well, yeah it didnt catch at all, and I could actually smell the trans burning up.

A rebuild is out of the question. So I'm thinking about getting a used trans from a junk yard. Would I be able to do this job myself? I have never pulled a trans, but I would consider myself pretty handy with cars and such, and its not a dd so I have all the time in the world to complete it. You can never learn if you don't try right?

 

[Grimey]

You can drop the pan and changed the fluid however this may actually make your problem worse. When you have damage in a transmission a fluid flush will flush out most, of if not all debris, old fluid and any metal in the fluid. Sometimes, this debris and metal are actually whats holding the clutch packs and components in place. It's a catch 22. Flush the system and perhaps make the situation better or flush the system and create additional problems. Its a hard call.

I have run several Cottman Transmission shops in my day and have not had very good results with flushing a system that has internal damage. 7 out of 10 times it has only made the problem worse so I will usually recommend to my customers that they not flush it and opt for a rebuild.

It sounds to me like you have some burnt clutch packs. Adding Lucas or other additives will not correct your problem as these products are intended to be used more as a preventative measure than a complete fix. It shouldn't cost you $2000 to have the transmission rebuilt either. If you have some negotiating skills, you should be able to get a shop to rebuild it for less than $1200 with at least a one year warranty or even cheaper if they warranty it for a less amount of time.
I suggest speaking to a rebuild shop and discussing with them what you believe the problem is. This will let them know that you have some knowledge about transmissions and they will be less likely to treat you as just another unknowing customer. Let them know your preferred budget and see if they will work with you. Suggesting that you will recommend them to your friends and associates may help to sweeten the deal.
If you have it rebuilt please change the torque converter. It's just a safe practice to ensure that you won't have to take the transmission out again because of a failed torque converter.

In the event you can't come to some agreement with the transmission shop and decide to purchase a used transmission, be sure to purchase one from a reputable source or you may have to have the used transmission rebuilt anyways. You can check out Michaelson Foreign Car Parts to compare some prices for a used transmission. I have dealt with them on numerous occasions before so I know that they deal in quality used parts. Hope this info helps you. If you have any questions or need help negotiating with a shop or searching for a transmission just let me know.

 

[tweek814]

Thanks for the response grimey. I haven't checked this thread until today, Finally settling into my new house and garage. So here's an update:

Well I was really just curious/hoping that the tranny could be saved.. I really didn't want to hear 'REBUILD', but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Problem has gotten worse, and even when in low gear 'L', I get moderate slipping when warm. I went ahead and flushed ATF along with changing trans filter before reading your post grimey. There was A LOT of metal shaving on the magnets. You were spot on , I managed to successfully lose reverse gear altogether!!

I got a guy (from craigslist) bringing me a used trans for 265 bucks.. I could be throwing my money away because the guy could be completely ####ing me over, and I know all you guys are gonna burn me for this one but.. at this point in time I honestly have no other options. Even if i could get a rebuild for under 1200, thats 1200 more than I got. Plus I just got laid off so.. Im just gonna have him deliver it, and try and throw it in myself. The car is currently in the garage on stands with the bumper, headlights, stock IC, tires, and a bunch of other misc parts removed already, so I got lots of room and easy access to the trans already. Wish me luck.

 

[tweek814]

Hey just out of curiosity, I pulled my end clutch and there was some major warpage going on.. I know this is semi-normal for high mileage, but could this possibly cause the problems I'm experiencing?