Truck Won't Move

[ParadiseMJ]

Good Morning,

 

Drove my truck to work today, 25 miles, no problems.  Around noon I went across town to pick up some stuff, about 6 miles round trip.  Just before I got back to work, there was a "whirrrrr" sound, kind of like a spool of wire, under tension, unwinding quickly.  The next 1/4 mile pulling in to work the truck was bucking, like slipping in and out of gear (Aw4).  Then it was fine, so I went in to work.

 

Come out to go home, truck starts right up, runs smooth, put it in reverse and ... nuthin'.  Won't move, except to coast out of the parking spot.  Put it in drive, nuthin'...won't move at all.  Feeling like I had the t-case in neutral.  I checked the t-case linkage, good.  I removed the t-case linkage, shifted it by hand, all good.  Checked the tranny fluid, full and cherry red, good.  Checked all the drive line u-joints, all tight.

 

The dang truck just wouldn't move.  So I rode the "flatbed of shame" (AAA) home and had him slide it off at my shop.  There it sits.

 

Any ideas??

[yxmj]

Trans has decided it is time to go....even if the fluid is red on the stick you might have to drop the pan to see the sparkles it left you as a parting gift....

[Megadan]

the last time I got that kind of noise from an auto trans the torque converter and pump decided to die as a pair.  Granted, when the pump died it blew seals and I left a solid line of trans fluid for 3 blocks leading all the way to my car.

[ParadiseMJ]

No leaks, dry on the outside, Full on the inside.  I've had a tranny line blow off on my XJ and I drove it, unknowingly, for a good couple miles.  I filled it up and all was good, still is. 300K on that one. I have yet to pull the inspection plate...wondering if my flex plate is intact.

[ComancheKid45]

Hmmm, I would think a sheared off flexplate would have made a heckuva racket but that would be a welcome surprise in this situation.

[ParadiseMJ]

IF...the t-case chain broke...or came off, would the truck just essentially be in Neutral.  I ask, because that is exactly what it feels like...and sounded like.  It rolls in all gears. Even Park.

 

I am looking for a welcome surprise.

[Zebvance]

IF...the t-case chain broke...or came off, would the truck just essentially be in Neutral.  I ask, because that is exactly what it feels like...and sounded like.  It rolls in all gears. Even Park.

 

I am looking for a welcome surprise.

 

 

nope. the front wheels would not have any interaction with the drive line if it broke. back would act normal still..

[Zebvance]

is your drive shaft spinning when you put it in gear? you could have broke something in the rear end. 

[ParadiseMJ]

I haven't looked at that yet, I will.  The front does not pull either in any 4WD position.  The CAD's been locked over since the first week I got it (if that matters) 5+ yrs ago.

[Zebvance]

well if something went in the rear end then It should still work in 4wd under power going to the front wheels.

[yxmj]

From what you said about it rolling in park my next guess is something is totally sheared off (even if the trans was blown it would still lock up in park) can you put it on 4 jackstands and engage the t-case and see if the front and back drive shafts turn?

[mark 39]

        Could it be splines on torque convertor ?

[ParadiseMJ]

_{I suppose it could be anything at this point, I have not had a minute of daylight to look at anything.  It's my "ON" week. My OFF week starts on Friday.  Then I'll have lots of time to climb into and under it.}

 

_{# 1 is to look into the trans (inspection plate) and the t-case (thru the fill hole}

_{#2 Drain the boxes and see if there is a bunch of metal in there.}

 

_{Yes, I'll have it up on stands this weekend.  I can find a donor AW4 easily enough...I would just rather not do all that goddam work} 

 

_{The font on my end is showing up tiny.} 

[ParadiseMJ]

I've drained the t-case, checked the fluid and chain (to some extent).  Fluid, cherry red, chain seems tight and continuous,

 

Drained the trans., Fluid is pink, not burned or smelly.  No chunks...pulling the filter tomorrow and checking the pump function.

 

Read up on the Torque Converter.  Looks like a possibility, since it feels like the TC isn't working.  The troubleshooting section (for what it's worth) says a "spinning or whining sound" is one symptom of a failing TC or scored gears.  Anyone know how the gears (spline) could even GET stripped or scored as the clearance is pretty tight there.  They just spin together normally. 

 

Any input welcome.

 

As I said, I drove it, parked it, went to leave from work, 2 hours later and got NO engagement.  I also recant my testimony that it rolls in ALL gears...all but Park.

 

Thanks

[ParadiseMJ]

My truck has had a stroke I think.  I have it up on jack stands, nothing is moving, spinning, clunking or making strange noises.  No shafts spinning, no 4wd, no rwd. T-case is in 2 wd. Engine starts right up, runs strong, gear shift works flawlessly, no binding, clunking etc. The tranny is a 92 AW4.

 

well if something went in the rear end then It should still work in 4wd under power going to the front wheels.

 

The front wheels don't work either. The CAD is locked over, checked and rechecked, locked over.

 

        Could it be splines on torque convertor ?

 

Yes, I suppose so, although I don't know why they would strip out.

 

So, today I pulled the hose to the trans cooler, wondering if my pump was working.  started it up, thinking I'd have to turn it right off or suffer a huge spurt of trans fluid...never happened.  Then I started it up and let it run for awhile...no fluid out the hose, not even a drip.

 

I pulled the trans pan expecting a pile of metal, or at least metal shavings, or a clogged line...fluid, pan, magnets, tranny lines, nothing.  I disconnected all the lines, dipstick tube, cooler and blew them out with compressed air.  I pulled the inspection cover on the bell housing and it was spotless...except for two halves of a metal "o-ring" about 1/4".  Other than that everything looks brand new.

 

The t-case and tranny fluid looks new.  The filter isn't clogged, there are no big chunks (or even small chunks) of metal anywhere inside the 2 boxes.  Can anyone tell me what my next step should be in troubleshooting this thing??

 

I'm suspecting the trans fluid pump...since no fluid is moving through it...I could use a "how to" on replacing the pump.  Anyone think otherwise??

[Zebvance]

My truck has had a stroke I think.  I have it up on jack stands, nothing is moving, spinning, clunking or making strange noises.  No shafts spinning, no 4wd, no rwd. T-case is in 2 wd. Engine starts right up, runs strong, gear shift works flawlessly, no binding, clunking etc. The tranny is a 92 AW4.

 

well if something went in the rear end then It should still work in 4wd under power going to the front wheels.

 

The front wheels don't work either. The CAD is locked over, checked and rechecked, locked over.

 

        Could it be splines on torque convertor ?

 

Yes, I suppose so, although I don't know why they would strip out.

 

So, today I pulled the hose to the trans cooler, wondering if my pump was working.  started it up, thinking I'd have to turn it right off or suffer a huge spurt of trans fluid...never happened.  Then I started it up and let it run for awhile...no fluid out the hose, not even a drip.

 

I pulled the trans pan expecting a pile of metal, or at least metal shavings, or a clogged line...fluid, pan, magnets, tranny lines, nothing.  I disconnected all the lines, dipstick tube, cooler and blew them out with compressed air.  I pulled the inspection cover on the bell housing and it was spotless...except for two halves of a metal "o-ring" about 1/4".  Other than that everything looks brand new.

 

The t-case and tranny fluid looks new.  The filter isn't clogged, there are no big chunks (or even small chunks) of metal anywhere inside the 2 boxes.  Can anyone tell me what my next step should be in troubleshooting this thing??

 

I'm suspecting the trans fluid pump...since no fluid is moving through it...I could use a "how to" on replacing the pump.  Anyone think otherwise??

 

 

 

I had a 2004 Ford Taurus Automatic that (while I was going 70) shot out of gear and acted like it when to neutral. I pulled over put it in park, turned it off. then turned it back on and put it into every gear with no response. It never moved again. Had it towed to a shop and they said the pump burned up from a clogged filter while I was driving and after it stopped working it burned up the transmission. I had to get it fully rebuilt. I don't know if this helps you at all but some of the symptoms seem similar.... Seeing as how its obvious that your trans pump is not working and its still going into all gears with no response. 

[ParadiseMJ]

I would not think it overheated (I don't have a trans temp gauge on this one) since as I said, the fluid all came out looking brand new and in no way smelled burnt.  The filter was not clogged and I made as sure as I could that there were no obstructions in the lines. So who can tell me/show me where the trans pump is, and if it's fixable...by me ? I've removed and swapped trannys before, but never gotten inside.

 

Also, usually when I do a drain & fill I only get 4 qts out.  Maybe a little less actually.  This time I got 6 qts. (??).  None of it is coolant either since the tranny lines don't go through the radiator.

[HOrnbrod]

[FrankTheDog]

I'm betting that broken snap ring has something to do with it.

Probably from the front of the pump or back of the converter.

[benjy_26]

I'm not well versed on the AW4, but I know that my 42RE will not pump fluid if the tranny is in park while idling. It will, however, pump fluid through the cooler lines when it's idling in neutral. Perhaps that's why you didn't get any fluid flowing when you pulled a line?

[ParadiseMJ]

I'm betting that broken snap ring has something to do with it.

Probably from the front of the pump or back of the converter.

 

I'm betting you're right. 

 

I'm not well versed on the AW4, but I know that my 42RE will not pump fluid if the tranny is in park while idling. It will, however, pump fluid through the cooler lines when it's idling in neutral. Perhaps that's why you didn't get any fluid flowing when you pulled a line?

 

I could have sworn I worked through the gears to see if I was getting anything...but I AM kind of an old geezer...so I'll check it again.  Doesn't matter if it's running in gear or not...it ain't goin' nowhere.

 

...and hornbrod, I watched that video.  How the hell does that guy keep track of all the parts and pieces, that would make me crazy, I'd lose a bolt or come out with leftovers.  I'm a little more meticulous than that (and MUCH slower).

[HOrnbrod]

...and hornbrod, I watched that video.  How the hell does that guy keep track of all the parts and pieces, that would make me crazy, I'd lose a bolt or come out with leftovers.  I'm a little more meticulous than that (and MUCH slower).

He's probably torn down thousands of AW4 / A340 trannies and knows every part intimately. But I'm with you - I couldn't work like that...........

[Zebvance]

I would not think it overheated (I don't have a trans temp gauge on this one) since as I said, the fluid all came out looking brand new and in no way smelled burnt.  The filter was not clogged and I made as sure as I could that there were no obstructions in the lines. So who can tell me/show me where the trans pump is, and if it's fixable...by me ? I've removed and swapped trannys before, but never gotten inside.

 

Also, usually when I do a drain & fill I only get 4 qts out.  Maybe a little less actually.  This time I got 6 qts. (??).  None of it is coolant either since the tranny lines don't go through the radiator.

 

 

if the pump burned up or stopped working, then there wouldn't be any fluid in the internals of the trans to get burnt when the trans did. the fluid would just be in the pan not circulating when the trans burned up maybe?

[ParadiseMJ]

Good point. I found the snap ring that fell out the bell housing. It's about 1/2" diam. I'd send a picture, but I'm on my phone...at a concert, my wife is giving me "put the phone down" look.

 

Here's a picture of the ring.  Anyone got an idea of where this could have come from...within the bell housing area??

 

[ParadiseMJ]

Bump for pic. Above