No Reverse-1998 1500 Ram

[1998Ram]

Hi there. I have a 1998 1500 4x4 5.7l lifted (3ft leveling kit) Dodge who decided today was the day she'd stop reversing. I had no issues this morning when I pulled out of my driveway. Drove to work, experienced a high, old sounding siren whine when I hit forty and decelerated, parked at work. Came out of work and couldn't get out of my parking spot.

She moved her tires barely an inch before she gave up and just revved when I pressed my foot down. Had to get some coworkers and push her out. Got her home, checked her tranny fluid, added 9 quarts, since she was low and thought she might have run out, resulting in the no reverse aaaaaaaand no success.

Turned her on, ran her through her gears, drove forward a little. Switched into reverse, got her to back up slowly and LOUDLY, but only for a couple inches before her wheels stopped and she revved with no movement. Pulled forward, tried again. Same thing. Drove her around the block to warm up the tranny fluid. Same thing when I went to park her. Loud, barely moved and then stopped. Pushed her back in to place.

I did semi recently purchase her. Issues I've had are mostly the fact her idle is set way too low. She idles around 600, and sounds pissy until you get her to 20mph. She did have a transmission replaced last year by the old owner who was a mechanic. I have no idea what in the world is her issue, and I hope to avoid the 2,500+ replacement of the whole tranny, so ANY suggestions are welcomed. I'll be taking her into a shop tomorrow to be diagnosed after work, but I've never had this issue before, even with my '95 who had a bad tranny for years. I'd really rather not get scammed.

Thanks guys!

 

[Merc225hp]

Welcome to RF

Sorry to read this, I hope the shop has good news but in my op the tranny is done for.

 

[KenBerry]

checked her tranny fluid, added 9 quarts, since she was low and thought she might have run out,

Nine quarts? 2.25 gallons of transmission fluid? Seriously?

As for the reverse not working, first thing I'd try is making sure the rear band is adjusted correctly.

 

[1998Ram]

No luck on the shop yet. Certified is closed for the day. I'll be taking her in tomorrow, hopefully.

Hoping to avoid the whole new tranny thing Merc, but that's exactly what I thought when she first started her shenanigans.

Checked her fluid this morning and she was empty. Wondering if she has a leak and the torque converter finally ran out. Haven't noticed any puddles, but that doesn't mean anything.

Hmm. I'll have to look that up, Ken. Done every other repair possible, cut a hole through the bed of my '95 to get to the gas pump, but the tranny is something I'm worried about messing up.

She backed up a couple times this morning. Nothing fancy, pretty slow work with lots of noise and struggle. Wouldn't do it after work, but did so when I turned her on in the drive and pulled out. As useless as it is, I've noticed she'll back up a bit as long as I turn her on and switch her into reverse right away, but she won't do it if the truck has been running for a little bit.

 

[Merc225hp]

O-haul - 46RE= 9-9.5 L (19-20 pts.) ATF+4, and you put in 8.5 liters and more today, not good.

 

[1998Ram]

Well, dropped her off Friday and got her back today. Certified said she has a leak in her hub cap? I couldn't exactly understand the guy, but the gist I got was that they couldn't fix it without going into the tranny itself. She also has no engine breaks in 'low setting', and the rear band MIGHT fix her reverse problem. They quoted me about 1500 to fix the leak and adjust the rear band. But they can't promise it'll fix her.

Will I do more damage driving her around like this, or will it be fine? I definitely do not have the money to pay for something that MIGHT fix my vehicle, and I don't have the money to rebuild the tranny itself.