Automatic Transmission 2-Speed thru 10-Speed GM Autos | Converters | Shift Kits
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Th-400 no reverse!!! HELP

Old Mar 25, 2007 | 07:10 PM
  #1  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default Th-400 no reverse!!! HELP

I have a new TH400 with a 4000 stall coan converter I installed on my 97 formula. Problem is I have everything hooked up now and I have no reverse. The tires go forward in 1st 2nd 3rd and even reverse. I checked the shifter cable and it seems ok. Any suggestions.
Is it possible that it was built with a forward gear pattern and I am using a reverse pattern shifter?

Also this tranny is leaking fluid out pretty good around the converter.
What could cause that because it was a brand new rebuilt with all new seals. Could a bad vent line cause that or something? I am using Vavoline ATF fluid.

Any suggestions??

Clint
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2007 | 08:34 PM
  #2  
8a8mfh's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
Default

It's not the shifter, it should have reverse one click from park. Reverse VB or not P, R, N are in the same place.
Does it drive? Does it drive forward in nuetral? Could be the forward clutch stuck on, or several other things. You need to put it on the ground to see if it drives in nuetral.
Who built the trans?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 01:40 AM
  #3  
kill_machine85's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Brodhead, WI
Default

Mine is P, N, R, N, 1,2,3
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 03:41 AM
  #4  
blkbird_WS-6's Avatar
11 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 0
From: So. IN
Default

Does it have a transbrake? You might have to engage the t-brake in order to get it to go in reverse.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 12:12 PM
  #5  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 8a8mfh
It's not the shifter, it should have reverse one click from park. Reverse VB or not P, R, N are in the same place.
Does it drive? Does it drive forward in nuetral? Could be the forward clutch stuck on, or several other things. You need to put it on the ground to see if it drives in nuetral.
Who built the trans?
Alamo preformance in SanAntonio Texas. Goin on memory(I am at work right now) it does go forward in nuetral I will double check when I get home. Unfortunatly the car has a baseline mail order tune from Futral and I have a dynotune session schedualed next week. It will only run for a few seconds very roughly so I cant actually drive it. I also needs exaust/ alignment too boot! But its hard to get those done when I cant back my car out of the garage because I have a tranny with no reverse blowing fluid everywhere.
If all else fails I will have to push it out and try to load it that way.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 12:13 PM
  #6  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by blkbird_WS-6
Does it have a transbrake? You might have to engage the t-brake in order to get it to go in reverse.
No T brake yet. Wanted to get it going first before I did anything too the tranny.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2007 | 12:16 PM
  #7  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by kill_machine85
Mine is P, N, R, N, 1,2,3
Well it does have seven clicks I thought it was P P R N 1 2 3, either way I guess R is in the same spot.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2007 | 09:52 AM
  #8  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

Hey guys, new symptom, I tried it again last night and started off in 3rd gear and it did nothing. Put in park and it did nothing. Pulled it back one click which should have been park 2 and had tires rolled forward when I gave it the gas. WTF is going on with this POS.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 30, 2007 | 10:24 AM
  #9  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

Well I checked with a friend of mine works at a local transmission shop, told him what it was doing and he seemed fairly confident that it was a missing check ball in the bathtub of the VB. He then gave me a TH400 tech manual with a diagram of the VB and pointed in the right direction. Then gave me a bag of check ***** just in case. If it works I will scan the diagram just in case anybody needs it. I forgot to ask about the leaking around the converter.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2007 | 09:46 PM
  #10  
john kilgore's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: burbank ca
Default third

no rev and no third the direct clutch is not working.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2007 | 10:33 PM
  #11  
performabuilt's Avatar
LS1Tech Sponsor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 80
From: BLOOMSBURG PA
Default

ageed is there is no third the direct or thrid clutch is not working , 3rd is direct drive and reverse is a combo of the 3rd clutch and band ,But then again since the second clutch is applied along with the forward clutch in third in a 400 it should have started in 2nd if the direct clutch is bad unless there some massive internal leak like broken support rings or missing ones then it would feel like neutral . Have you spoken with them about it and what did they say ?
__________________
Built..PerformaBuilt..Tough

Call 888-744-6542


Reply
Old Mar 31, 2007 | 05:13 PM
  #12  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

I tried calling around but cant get there number. Even so they probably wont be much help over the phone and I dont have the time to ship it to them.
I just got done taking the valve body off and there is only one check ball, I tilted the VB slightly when I pulled it so not to sure where it came from.

Now I will try to put them all in according to the diagram.

Anything else I can check while I have the VB off?
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2007 | 06:58 PM
  #13  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

Well that didnt fix anything. still same problem. Seems like I felt it shifting harder though. Anyway now when I shifted it into 3rd gear it made a thud and stopped the motor. Then I put it in neutral and cranked it and put it in 3rd gear real fast and revved it up and nothing. but then 2nd and 1st tires moved. and they still move forward in rev.
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2007 | 03:55 PM
  #14  
WhatCam?'s Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Default

Well I finally got ahold of the guy who built it and he said since I had it for 3 years or more then the warrenty was up and I would have to have it fixed for a charge. Then I explained again how it was still new never used which means it wasnt built right he seems to think since it set up so long that the seals and gaskets in it have dry rotted or gone bad and it needs to be gone through anyway, and thats why its leaking so bad. What a waste of money/time, so if anybody reads this wait and buy the transmission till you actually need it. Dont try to be proactive like me and buy one and let it sit till you get the motor/car ready which might take year if there are setbacks.
So anyway I am gonna have a local shop take it apart and put new seals in it and try it again. If that doesnt work I am gonna buy a bullet and rent a gun!

Thanks for all the help guys!
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:12 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE