1999 transmission slips, D = N

Newly purchased, dont know but I drove this 99 around and the trans was just fine. Then it sat for 2 days, would not start, battery dead, sat 3 more days until I jumped and got it to run.

Put brake put selector in D and notice the light stays on reverse? 'R' is on but its on D or 2 or L, when its L then the R and L are on. Also notice its loud at idle like exhaust leak? was not like that before. Ok go to drive it home, pull out onto the main road and its barely going, stays in 2nd revs up? huh? Put in D, sometimes go too many clicks and its in 2. D is neutral just revs wont go. is it neutral ? push up, no its locked, push the thumb button and go up to N, same just revs, go down to D, does not thump, does nothing. go to 2 does not thump but will sort of go, cannot make this go above 25mph doing anything with the controls and gas pedal.

I was a full line mechanic, had auto trans in college(C4, C6, powerglide, T350) and used to rebuild them, lots of service alot of years, this truck had no issues shifting before. Also noticed on one of the wheels the center cap thing is now smashed in, seems recent because there is no rust on where its wrinkled at.

Was going to ask what can do this but am being told there is some oil where it was parked? it ran like it had no oil but was first told there was no oil where it was at, and it would have to be alot to do this. Ok so someone could have destroyed one of the cooler lines, dont know yet.. just disgusting, I did nothing to deserve this.

Can anyone say if this was sabotaged and leaked oil and I drove it do you think it did damage to this trans? Or would it mostly be the torque converter just couldnt move it... any ideas of what to look for are appreciated, thanks!

 

Did you check the fluid level of the transmission? If it was out of fluid, yeah, you could damage it.

Sounds like a shift linkage issue more than anything.

 

havent checked yet, had to park on an incline. will check in the AM but there was no puddle where it sat 5 days; linkage problem, so its from underneath, I went to buy the service manual on ebay?? $175 now? is there any other way to see the linkage from the service book, or get limited access online. I used to buy the manuals for every car/truck I had but these and maybe 15 total shop manuals, college books I had and paid $ for, gone.

 

I get my manuals from ebay from those sketchy PDF downloaders for like $10-$15.

Haven't been screwed yet.

The only issue is that those PDFs are the last model year manuals. So if you really want one for 1999, I think you have to track down the books.

 

lots of transmission oil. This 99 was kept in a garage and serviced. the linkage, the shift lever is very loose where it sits you can move it side to side, clearly loose.

 

It works until it doesn't. That linkage can loosen with time and usage to the point of needing attention. There are a few threads here on fixing it in a 4R. Mine is still too new for that, but I've had it happen on other vehicles, most memorably my '76 Nova.