Archived transmission wont engage

[ram-bo72]

hey guys, need some help. Have an 02 ram 3500 5.9. just changed rear main seal and oil pan gasket. Put it all back together and none of the gears engage, including park. Truck is in permanent neutral. Checked the linkage and everything is connected. Tried with transfer case in 2h 4h and 4L and nothing. What am I missing here? transmission is automatic.

 

[mwilson]

How much fluid did you put back in the transmission after re-installing it??

 

[ram-bo72]

4 and then topped it with a fifth

 

[mwilson]

Are you checking it in Neutral or in Park???

 

[ram-bo72]

checked it in both. falls between minimum and good. i can throw in another quart or two bit i dont think thats the issue.

 

[mwilson]

Wanted to mention it, that transmission only pumps in Neutral. Checking it in Park will give a false reading and it will be way low on fluid.

I've seen it before....

 

[mwilson]

I'm making the assumption that the valve body is stock....

 

[ram-bo72]

yes, stock valve body but not original. replaced 5yrs ago.

 

[mwilson]

checked it in both. falls between minimum and good. i can throw in another quart or two bit i dont think thats the issue.

Same reading either way, Park or Neutral???

 

[ram-bo72]

no, think level was higher in park

 

[GAmes]

You did bolt the torque converter back onto the flex plate didn't you?

 

[ram-bo72]

LOL...yes, I did

 

[GAmes]

Just checking. I've lost count of the no start threads that ended up the truck was out of fuel.

 

[ram-bo72]

cant imagine what it could be. i put it in park and it rolls down the driveway!

 

[GCroyle]

Transfer case stuck in N ?????????????? Somehow?

 

[ram-bo72]

doesnt seem like it. selector is in the right place under the truck and moves properly with the shifter

 

[petersonj]

You did bolt the torque converter back onto the flex plate didn't you?

Since the above question was asked, I have to ask - is your driveshaft still laying on the floor? ... just kidding.

If your transmission shift lever feels normal and you feel all of the detents, then I would be suspecting the transfer case is stuck in neutral (as GCroyle mentioned).

- John

 

[ram-bo72]

how does one go about "un-stucking" the transfer case from neutral if that is the culprit?

 

[petersonj]

cant imagine what it could be. i put it in park and it rolls down the driveway!

I am not real knowledgeable on automatic transmissions, but I would think the truck should not roll if the shift selector is in "Park", regardless of what the transmission fluid level is. "Park" selection is all mechanical and a pawl inside the transmission is mechanically positioned to stop the truck from rolling. Please, anyone correct me now if I am wrong about this.

With wheels chocked I would disconnect the transmission linkage from underneath the truck and the place the lever on the transmission into the "Park" position. Then remove the wheel chocks and see if the truck rolls. If the truck does not roll (it shouldn't), then you have a transmission external shift linkage problem. If the truck still rolls then something is not connected correctly between the transmission and the engine, or somehow the transmission output shaft is not engaged into the transfer case, or the transfer case is in neutral.

- John

 

[B.G. Smith]

When the transmission is in park it locks the output shaft of the transmission to the case, not the torque converter so the problem has to be in the transfer case or the drive line? bg