Help! Reverse is not engaging

[jackson72]

HELP!! I have a 1996 Eddie Bauer with 103k miles. I was cleaning the engine with Gunk last week, and I was pretty liberal with the water on the engine/transmission/etc. After I got done, "reverse" would not engage. Actually, I can put the transmission into reverse, but it would (and still does) make the most horrible whining noise and the car will not go anywhere (i.e. reverse is not engaging at all). The only way that I can move the car in reverse is to put the transfer case in 4wd low, and it makes no noise whatsoever while in 4wd low. However, while in 2wd or 4wd High, reverse will not engage and the noise is there. I drove the car in regular 2wd (going forward of course) and it began to make the same noise whenever I would go above 40 mph or so. Any suggestions? Did I get something wet? It seems ironic that this problem started after I was cleaning the engine?? Is my transfer case or transmission screwed up? Any advise would be so appreciated. Thank you in advance and Happy New Year!!

 

[SteveVB]

Fluid?

Have you checked the trans fluid? Sounds like its low on fluid, or maybe you got water into the tranny?

If it has fluid, or the fluid is way over full, I would pull the pan and change the fluid and filter- refill. See what happens.