Topic: Yet another 700R4 prob (won't go into gear)
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
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Charleston AFB, SC - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 111
Vette(s): 1979 Cream Beige Coupe w/383 & 700R4
Title says it all. I got in the car this morning and I couldn't get it in any gear. Wouldn't go in reverse, 4th or 3rd. Didn't think to try 1-2. Played with the shifter a bit and FINALLY got it in gear, but it's not feeling right. From searching online, it seems like this may be a bad pump. Does that sound right? Also, could this be the reason it won't stay in 4th normally now?
defsegx 2007-12-18 12:53:02
If it does sound like the pump, is that something I can do myself on a lift or would I need a tranny shop for it? How involved is it (remove tranny, etc?)
Thanks as always,
Friendly broken down vette owner
-Josh
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Are you saying the shifter wouldn't move?
Does the shifter feel like it is mushy/loose?
Or...does the shifter feel normal, but the car just won't move when you put it into any of the gears?
Are there any unusual noises?
If the car moves at all, the pump is NOT the problem...don't believe everything you read on the net(except what ya see at C3VR!
)
Granted, there may be something wrong with the pump now, such as worn/damaged vanes in the pump, but that is always due to other problems, such as running low on fluid, the filter stopped up, or even the filter falling out of the pump.
Did you check the fluid level?
Need more info!!
Does the shifter feel like it is mushy/loose?
Or...does the shifter feel normal, but the car just won't move when you put it into any of the gears?
Are there any unusual noises?
If the car moves at all, the pump is NOT the problem...don't believe everything you read on the net(except what ya see at C3VR!
)
Granted, there may be something wrong with the pump now, such as worn/damaged vanes in the pump, but that is always due to other problems, such as running low on fluid, the filter stopped up, or even the filter falling out of the pump.
Did you check the fluid level?
Need more info!!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Charleston AFB, SC - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 111
Vette(s): 1979 Cream Beige Coupe w/383 & 700R4
Hey Joel, thanks as always for trying to help.
Shifter moves like normal, feels normal, the car just won't go into gear. Well, I say it won't, it does now but won't go into 2 or 4 at all. I know that means the 2/4 band or whatever, which I knew I needed to change anyway, I'm hoping something maybe just clogged a pipe because of it causing it to not go into gear. I checked the fluid and it was fine. I'm gonna try to get it to a transmission shop soon and get it fixed if I can.
How much should it cost to change the 2/4 band and stuff at a transmission shop usually? (Never been to one before!)
Thanks again
-Josh
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
No 2nd, or 4th could be the band, for sure. It could also be the sun shell stripped/broken. I see a LOT of that these days. It will also cause no reverse, in some cases.
If you manually shift it, what does it do when you shift into 2nd?
If you just put it in drive, does it take forever, and then shift into 3rd, "skipping" 2nd? Or does it neutralize when it is supposed to shift to 2nd?
If you are in 3rd, and manually downshift into 2nd, does it do nothing? Does it have engine braking when you do this?
A trans shop is not gonna go in and just replace the band, if in fact that is the problem. A trans shop is gonna rebuild the unit. The problem is, if the band has burnt and causing the problem, chances are it has damaged the reverse input drum, which is the drum the band goes around. The rev. input drum is also splined to the sun shell, which can strip/break, causing the same symptoms.
A trans shop around here is gonna charge anywhere from $1300 to $2000 for the job. If you take the trans out, and take it to them, it'll still be around $1000.
There are other alternatives, tho...P/M me...
If you manually shift it, what does it do when you shift into 2nd?
If you just put it in drive, does it take forever, and then shift into 3rd, "skipping" 2nd? Or does it neutralize when it is supposed to shift to 2nd?
If you are in 3rd, and manually downshift into 2nd, does it do nothing? Does it have engine braking when you do this?
A trans shop is not gonna go in and just replace the band, if in fact that is the problem. A trans shop is gonna rebuild the unit. The problem is, if the band has burnt and causing the problem, chances are it has damaged the reverse input drum, which is the drum the band goes around. The rev. input drum is also splined to the sun shell, which can strip/break, causing the same symptoms.
A trans shop around here is gonna charge anywhere from $1300 to $2000 for the job. If you take the trans out, and take it to them, it'll still be around $1000.
There are other alternatives, tho...P/M me...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Charleston AFB, SC - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 111
Vette(s): 1979 Cream Beige Coupe w/383 & 700R4
I haven't got to test all those situations yet. So far from what I can tell:
defsegx 2007-12-19 06:59:44
If I manually shift it to 1st it goes fine.
2nd: nothing.
3rd works fine, but it skips from 1-3.
I have no 2 or 4 gears, manually putting it in 2 or 4 does nothing. If I accelerate from first, it goes really high until I let off the gas a little, at which time it will kick into 3rd and then stays in 3rd (no 4th).
I haven't tried manually downshifting from 3rd to 2nd, I'll try that on my lunch break to see what it does.
Weird thing is it only did the no reverse once yesterday morning. It seems to be going in reverse fine now.
And jeez $1000+ 
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20219
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Sounds like the shell has stripped...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I had mine rebuilt and upgraded to the newest parts for $1400 w/new Torque conv. That shell Joel noted was just haning on by a thread, I twisted it by hand and the hub broke off. I think it was well worth the $1400.
Good luck,
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Former Member
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Charleston AFB, SC - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 111
Vette(s): 1979 Cream Beige Coupe w/383 & 700R4
Did you take it out and bring it to them or is that with removing it from the car? I can't really remove and bring it to a shop, I don't have a truck (or extra hands really)
in Forum: C3 Driveline Components
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