Help! No Reverse.

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riverboy460

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also if all your other gears are good and you just dont have reverse it is not a relearn issue. I have ran these transmissions with out a relearn on my personnel vehicles when i didn't have access to my dealer tools. truck will just take a good drive cycle to relearn all parameters. transmissions just dont stop working usually they always have tale tale signs of going bad mostly and neglect. something you did is incorrect and causing this no reverse. i would drain your fluid into a clean pan and drop everything and check your work over again. if i could get to my transmission books if i still have them i would send you the pics of the valve body diagram but i think i gave them away before my last pcs move. i will check my tool box tomorrow and get back to you.
 
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LoadedExpressRam

LoadedExpressRam

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just a heads up. i used to rebuild transmissions for dodge Chrysler and jeep dealership before i joined the military. if you replaced the filter which i know you also mentioned and it doesn't seal correctly you could have this issue especially if you did not use the oem metal spin on filter. if it wont build enough pressure can cause the no reverse. also the pistons you replaced inside the valve body could be too tight and not allowing the piston to move correctly in the valve body sometimes they get burrs in the passage way or installed incorrectly. i prefer and always recommend oem filters as some or most aftermarket ones cause issues. also when i built my ram 1500 transmission i used the same kit your talking about i bet and i had to run the sonnex line pressure booster adapter in line with the transmission sensor. all it is is basically the correct resister so the pcm sees the correct signal. but my guess is since you messed with the valve body something is incorrect inside there. did you put everything back in how you found it and made sure springs were good etc. its been years now as i have almost been in 14 yrs this januaray i cant recall off the top of my head if there was any check balls in the valve body if you took the valve body apart and put the balls back in incorrect spots would cause issues as well.
Appreciate all the info. I did not take the valve body apart. All I did was replace the pistons, springs and accumulator plate. I wonder since I also used a synthetic spin on oil filter in place of the factory filter if that could be the problem? As far as the pistons being to tight, all other gears seem to be fine. I mean the truck is definitely shifting smoother. Ill probably drop the pan again this weekend but I was hoping somebody on her has experienced this exact issue and could chime in how they remedy it. Line pressure is already raised via tune so im not sure if adding a booster would be advisable as I hear this could damage internal components within the VB itself. Again appreciate all the feedback and if you think of anything else please share.
 

caulk04

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Have you paid any attention to the L/R switch valve? It's a small bug.ger (really, bug.ger is censored?) as I recall. Been a few years since I looked close at an RFE valve body. A thought...

The same solenoid that controls lockup, also controls 1st and reverse. The L/R switch valve changes the fluid path which also makes it so the converter can't lock in 1st or reverse.
 

Burla

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Here is my spin on cut open, pretty standard oil filter with stamped bypass. The media was stiff as heck, meaning no longer filtering. I'm pretty confident it isn't this, as we have many guys on the synthetic filters with no issue. Unless it wasn't attached correctly with steel threads, I wouldn't even touch this. Especially since you ran trans and other gears worked, meaning fluid took temp, and likely your filter wasnt in bypass but reverse still wasnt working. What filter did you use? You can look up most on oilfilterdata to see if there is a bypass. Maybe the piston ring on the reverse piston is bugggered up. Was it oiled when you buttoned it up?

47118549492_bdecc27466_c.jpg
 

Burla

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I think everyone here is on the same page as far as morning qb'n it. If the piston seal on one piston is crunched up, it might show up when checking psi's. If it was installed dry, maybe it moved? I know you cant install them dry if you try because usually there is so much oil on it already, but maybe not enough.
 
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LoadedExpressRam

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Here is my spin on cut open, pretty standard oil filter with stamped bypass. The media was stiff as heck, meaning no longer filtering. I'm pretty confident it isn't this, as we have many guys on the synthetic filters with no issue. Unless it wasn't attached correctly with steel threads, I wouldn't even touch this. Especially since you ran trans and other gears worked, meaning fluid took temp, and likely your filter wasnt in bypass but reverse still wasnt working. What filter did you use? You can look up most on oilfilterdata to see if there is a bypass. Maybe the piston ring on the reverse piston is bugggered up. Was it oiled when you buttoned it up?

View attachment 478576
It was the RP filter suggested on here. I'd have to look for the exact number. As for oiling everything up before buttoning up yes I dipped all parts in transmission fluid before installing. Any idea how I could check psi with a scan tool. I have alpha obd, jscan and etorque if that helps. Can't thank tall enough for all the input. I saw somewhere that I could've possibly pulled loose a wire in the harness when I disconnected it from the solenoid. Ill check that this evening hopefully. Other than that maybe my gear linkage is off when I reinstalled the VB.
 

Burla

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I don't have alpha, on my short list, but can't help you there. The don't have youtube on that? The RP filter just wont be the issue, that specific filter is on several ram forum trucks. RP 10-2867 doesnt post the bypass psi on oilfilterdata just that it does have one, Like I said, that would only matter if the fluid was cold, the fact you don't have reverse when oil is warm is going to take away the possibility that this filter is the issue, as we know RP is full flow. If you felt like changing it anyway because you want to do all you can when you drop the pan, pick up a WIX 57055XP.
 

Dusty

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This may sound like a silly question, but when you loosened or removed the valvebody, was it inverted at any time? Did you install a new gasket? Did you use a torque wrench to reinstall the valvebody?

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Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 062390 miles.
 
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LoadedExpressRam

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This may sound like a silly question, but when you loosened or removed the valvebody, was it inverted at any time? Did you install a new gasket? Did you use a torque wrench to reinstall the valvebody?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 062390 miles.
I never separated the VB. Im sure at some point the VB was turned upside down yes. I did torque everything down.
 
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LoadedExpressRam

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This past weekend I took everything back off to double check myself and nothing stood out. All the pistons moved freely and everything was tightened up. I changed my synthetic filter to the mopar filter just in case that was the problem. The sump filter was snug as well as the seal. As I said before all other gears are running great, its just the reverse that won't engage. Im going to drive it for a week or so and see if something gives. If not then I guess I have no choice but to bring it to professionals. Something I probably should of done in the beginning i guess. Just really seemed like a easy task.
 
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LoadedExpressRam

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Figured id give this one more shot since ill be dropping this pan again this weekend to give it another once over before I have to bring it to the professionals. Just a short recap, upgraded VB with sonnax and transgo kit, reinstalled and now no reverse but all other gears work very well. In fact it shifts better than it has ever. Below is my CVI's if that helps anyone that knows more than me. As always i appreciate everyone's help and input.20220224_164638.jpg
 
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LoadedExpressRam

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Not to beat a dead horse but I did want to add that I did manage to conduct a Relearn with alpha obd. Of course no luck with reverse after that. Hopefully next time I post it'll be what remedied the problem. You guys dont hold your breath.
 
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