My truck is stuck in reverse?

2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
300,000 MILES • 5.3L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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The transmission seems to be stuck in reverse. When starting the vehicle the indicator shows that it is in park, but then immediately switches to reverse and you start going backwards. When you try to put it in park, it will not fully engage and the truck keeps rolling. We have disconnected the linkage cable and the gears seem to turn easily without making any clicking noise at all. My husband hauls big loads of firewood for a living, so could the heavy loads and using the four wheel drive often have anything to do with this problem? Please help!
Feb 6, 2018 at 12:35 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good afternoon.

It sounds like the transmission cable is the issue. has he checked the cable for adjustment?

Roy
Feb 6, 2018 at 12:59 PM
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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Yes, we have checked the cable and it seems to be working fine, no breaks or anything just a little stiff.
Feb 6, 2018 at 3:24 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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if it does not lock in park, then the cable needs to be adjusted.

Roy
Feb 6, 2018 at 3:26 PM
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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The only gear it will go in, is reverse. So will adjusting the cable fix it to go into the drive too?
Feb 6, 2018 at 3:31 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, you said nothing about it going into drive just that it goes in reverse but not locking in park.

you need to get it to lock into park first. set the cable so that works. then see if it gets the forward gears.

Roy
Feb 6, 2018 at 3:51 PM
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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Okay, going to try that now and see what happens.
Feb 6, 2018 at 3:59 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, I will be here.
Feb 6, 2018 at 4:02 PM
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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Still not working. Tried putting it in park manually and it is still in reverse. What am I doing wrong?
Feb 6, 2018 at 4:13 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, if you mean under the truck and doing it manually and you are still in reverse, then you have a seized clutch pack internally in the transmission. that will require removal of the transmission and inspection for the failure.

Roy
Feb 6, 2018 at 4:21 PM
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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That is exactly what I was afraid you would say. Looks like I will be trying to figure out how to replace whatever is wrong internally. Wish me luck!
Feb 6, 2018 at 4:25 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good luck. A cheaper alternative is getting a used transmission.

Roy
Feb 6, 2018 at 4:38 PM
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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Thank you so much! Too bad that this was a used transmission that we just installed about three months ago, or we would probably attempt changing it again. The bands were bad in the original transmission and replacing seemed easier than rebuilding.
Feb 6, 2018 at 5:18 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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the chances you take with a used transmission.

Roy
Feb 7, 2018 at 2:57 AM
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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Had transmission trouble a couple of weeks ago with the parking pawl, but after fixing that, the truck will now start if it is in reverse. It starts in park and neutral, like it is supposed to, and the truck runs fine now, shifts easy, and the indicator shows the correct gear, but found out completely by accident that it will start in reverse. Just trying to make sure that there is not something else wrong with the transmission. Any ideas?
May 6, 2021 at 12:16 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

From your description, it sounds like the neutral safety switch is the fault. It should lock out starting in all gears except park and neutral.

It is not the transmission it is a switch issue.

Roy
May 6, 2021 at 12:16 PM (Merged)
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TABATHA AGUIRRE
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Thank you all so much! You guys are the best!
May 6, 2021 at 12:16 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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Thank you. We are here to help.

Roy
May 6, 2021 at 12:16 PM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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I also attached the location of the transmission range switch or the neutral safety switch for you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-neutral-safety-switch-works

Roy
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May 6, 2021 at 12:16 PM (Merged)