W4A33 No reverse issue after shift kit installed.... help please

[kerrynnz]

Hello
I have a W4A33 that we have installed the Translab Shift kit into and we have no reverse. The gearbox worked fine before the shift kit was installed, we have tested an OEM valve body and all gears (including reverse) worked and had the same line pressure as the upgraded one. We have disconnected the shifter and changed gears manually to make sure it wasn't that and it still doesn't get reverse.

The O ring is in place, the manual valve is in the correct spot, we have re-done the shift kit a number of times and followed all of IPT's videos on you tube. It sounds like its building pressure but the wheels just don't spin in reverse, the car is on axle stands so no load on them either.

We have done all the tests with the wiring that have been suggested, We have spent hours on this forum looking at other threads that had the same issue, everything appears to be correct so what else can we check at this point?
Any help appreciated.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

When you out it back in did you align the valve lever on the outside of the VB? This seems to be one of the most overlooked parts when reinstalling again. I did my first VC shift kit back in 2020 and had all gears but I made sure the linkage was attached correctly.

Just re trace the steps and make sure you have it all connected including the mechanical parts for the install. Its right on the body on the left side. I don't have a pic of it I'm afraid but might be able to find one online somewhere later for you

Check this out as it might be your issues, its a common issue upon doing this job.

https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/no-shift-fixed-no-4th-gear.520551/

 

[CrackedDSM]

I bet you hammered the metal piece into the separator plate and forgot to drill it out. If you do that you won’t have reverse. Problem is in the VB either way.

 

[kerrynnz]

I bet you hammered the metal piece into the separator plate and forgot to drill it out. If you do that you won’t have reverse. Problem is in the VB either way.

Nope, did that one and it has a hole drilled in it. That was the first place we looked.

Check this out as it might be your issues, its a common issue upon doing this job.

https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/no-shift-fixed-no-4th-gear.520551/

Thank you, yeah that’s been in the right place every time. We did accidentally forget it 1 time and nothing worked and that was the issue. The valve bodies been in and out a number of times now. It’s not that.

 

[Dsm_canadian_mike]

I can’t help on your problem unfortunately.. But if you find out your VB isn’t good I have a few I could sell. Let me know

 

[kerrynnz]

I can’t help on your problem unfortunately.. But if you find out your VB isn’t good I have a few I could sell. Let me know

Thanks mate, we are located in New Zealand so it would probably be quite expensive to send one over to us, thanks for the offer tho!

 

[CrackedDSM]

Hello
I have a W4A33 that we have installed the Translab Shift kit into and we have no reverse. The gearbox worked fine before the shift kit was installed, we have tested an OEM valve body and all gears (including reverse) worked and had the same line pressure as the upgraded one. We have disconnected the shifter and changed gears manually to make sure it wasn't that and it still doesn't get reverse.

It's the VB. Have you tried disassembling both VB's side by side and comparing to see if anything is different? Did you miss a check ball anywhere?

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Most of the time its 3 things generally. I had to check this out as i know of 1 o ring issue but there is infsct 2 o rings that can cause this issue and the manual valve can be bent. So its one of 3 things in the body itself.

Also have you adjusted the lever connection outside at all? Maybe see if manually moving it to reverse does anything on the box vs shifter to rule that out.

I actually dont know much on these autos as I learn as I go on them. The ONLY other thing i could think of is if you did the shift kit you got a stuck vakve OR you turned the pressure down instead of up on the adjuster they tell you to alter? Those sre my current suggestions and thats only based on what I have done to my own VB when i did my shift kit

 

[enriquez2000]

Something got missed if one works and other doesnt.

When you installed the kit did you clean everything well?

I bet if you take the 2 VB apart in tandem the issue will show itself.

I had issues with a VB that was clogged with crap causing me issues.

 

[evil_eagletalon]

Was this resolved?

 

[kerrynnz]

Hello, yes, sorry! We took everything apart and went back through the instructions, the only thing we still questioned was the 2 blue springs in the shift kit. We had a light blue and then another light blue that was slightly darker than the other light blue. Confusing, I know. So we decided to swap the light blue springs and what do you know, it bloody worked!
The car had its first day out at a local club meet at a track at the end of October and unfortunately after a few test laps and hot laps the driver got a little too happy and forgot it was auto and not sequential and went 1 - 2 - 1 on the shifts....... the engine saw 14,800RPM but did not do too much damage. We have pulled it all down, concrete filled the block and done a few other bits and pieces so we are hoping to see some 9 second runs very soon. Its going on the Dyno tomorrow so fingers crossed!!! I can keep you posted if you like! We are from NZ, not sure how many others are on here from NZ?

 

[CrackedDSM]

Yep. I knew it was in the VB somewhere. Glad you found it.

 

[evil_eagletalon]

Awesome yes i finally got back to taking mine apart. And i found the same issue with the blue spring one being too wide to go down in the valve bore ultimately leaving the valve floating.