Transmission won't catch in reverse.

[Malk67]

SO last night I managed to get stuck on an iced up driveway and tried "rocking" the van from drive to reverse to break free, even used 3/4 of a bag of cat litter for traction, which did work, some what.
Well I managed to move forward but kept spinning. After a few tries the transmission would only engage in forward drive gears but not in reverse.
She is a 96 just shy of 375,000 miles and has a 3.0L engine, auto trans.

Any ideas/suggestions on "where to start"?

On a side note I do have a check engine light on but haven't pulled the code yet.
I will update after I get the code pulled.
Thanks in advance.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Does manual 1st gear work?

 

[Josh P]

The reverse band has 2 tabs on it that actuate the band. If one had snapped off and dropped down into the pan you would lose the gear. Did the engine light come on at the same time this happened?

 

[Malk67]

Does manual 1st gear work?

Haven't check 1st yet.
Will check.

 

[Malk67]

The reverse band has 2 tabs on it that actuate the band. If one had snapped off and dropped down into the pan you would lose the gear. Did the engine light come on at the same time this happened?

It came on a few day's ago. Again, I want to have the code pulled.

 

[Malk67]

Low 1 & 2 work fine.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do you have a 0 - 300 PSI test guage? Test the pressure on the main pressure port, and the EPC pressure port in all ranges (park, reverse, neutral, overdrive, drive, 2, and 1.

 

[Josh P]

A brand spanking new unit never installed in a vehicle is $850 per an ad on craigslist listed in phoenix. I know this doesn't help troubleshoot your problem, but if you have a high mileage unit in your van it is worth considering

 

[Malk67]

OK, a little over $1,600.00 later the issue is fixed.
Had to bite the bullet and take her into a local shop. All I can say is HOLY CRAP at the $795.00 labor charge and $94.00 for fluid, although she does have a trans cooler. And if I'm reading the receipt right they also replaced the converter (FM-51).
SO with that done, I'm thinking it may be time to find an old 3.0 and rebuild it so she's practically "brand new" again.

 

[Josh P]

I'm curious what failed?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Could you print what is written on the receipt along with the trouble code number?

 

[Malk67]

Could you print what is written on the receipt along with the trouble code number?

It was a hand written receipt, no codes written on it. The trouble codes I remember were for misfires on multiple cylinders. I have since replaced plugs and wires for 5 of the 6 cylinders. Plan on "fighting" with #6 in the am then going to clear the computer to see if the check engine light stays off.