I have a 2000 LS(149,000) and from time to time my reverse is nowhere to be found. I've learned that by accelerating somewhat fast from a dead stop before needing it tends to make it have reverse upon stopping and needing it. Otherwise if I just pull off normally it's a crapshoot as to whether or not it will be there. Anyone else experienced this? I've bought a replacement transmission for a song but wondered if this is correctable without having it switched out.
Reverse coming and going...
- Thread starter marcredd
- Start date
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
when was the last time the fluid was changed /topped off?
Apathy25TX
Active LVC Member
mac: I had the same prob with mine about a month ago. It did it a couple of times and I had the tranny fluid changed. Haven't had the issue since.
I bought the vehicle with 100,000 miles and cannot verify when it was changed. I did have it looked at by a reputable transmission guy and he stated that there was a part that was broken inside. It was low on fluid. He did top it off but the problem is still sporadic. I have been leery to change the fluid completely as I have always heard horror stories about doing so if you cannot verify if it was changed routinely. Anyone have any thoughts?
Apathy25TX
Active LVC Member
marc: I would still go ahead and do the tranny oil change. Perhaps your tranny filter is dirty.
If the fluid did not have a very, very distinctive burnt smell combined with varnish color, then I'd go ahead and have a fluid flush. In fact, based on what you are saying..I dont think you have anything to lose. (you already have a spare tranny laying around)
While we are on the topic: I had my trans fluid flushed last year (at approx 85k miles) at a local Ford dealership. I failed to have them replace the differential fluid.
Is that something I should go ahead and have done, considering I plan to keep the car as my daily driver for another 3 years and approx 50k miles?
Is that something I should go ahead and have done, considering I plan to keep the car as my daily driver for another 3 years and approx 50k miles?
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
does it also 'seek' (shuttering upshift-downshift-upshift-etc) around 18mph?
could be the soleniod....
could be the soleniod....
Apathy25TX
Active LVC Member
The tranny oil change would be something I'd leave it to the dealer to do. As much as I hate getting ripped off, they know the correct procedure. It takes them several shots to get the fluid level right on these trannys. They need to top it off, go for a drive. And they need to repeat this a couple of times.
I would take it to the dealer if you're noticing the 18 mph fishin' thing quik pointed out.
Apathy25TX
Active LVC Member
Hey marc,
Even after I had my tranny flushed and filter changed, I'm afraid to report that my reverse went on me today aswell. First thing I was thinking of was my feedback and honestly I was hoping you ignored what I said. *L* Seems like the fluid change didn't do much in my case. The good thing though is that I just put it in neutral and pushed it back a tad and started her up and reverse was back on. Hmmmmm....
I was in my car moving the shifter to all places and it didn't engage it. But the pushing trick did it! Sucks to do that on a 40K car, eh? *LOL* I bought mine used, so it doesn't hurt too bad.
Good Luck!
Even after I had my tranny flushed and filter changed, I'm afraid to report that my reverse went on me today aswell. First thing I was thinking of was my feedback and honestly I was hoping you ignored what I said. *L* Seems like the fluid change didn't do much in my case. The good thing though is that I just put it in neutral and pushed it back a tad and started her up and reverse was back on. Hmmmmm....
I was in my car moving the shifter to all places and it didn't engage it. But the pushing trick did it! Sucks to do that on a 40K car, eh? *LOL* I bought mine used, so it doesn't hurt too bad.
Good Luck!
I didn't change the fluid....Now here is where it gets weird...Apathy...next time that reverse won't work go back to Drive and launch relatively hard. You don't have to go all out. What I am finding is that every time I do this, I am able to get reverse back immediately. It's the weirdest thing. Quik....I've felt that shuddering you described on maybe on 2 occasions over the course of time that I've had the vehicle. But not enough that I ever gave it much concern. I assumed it was one of those things due to the mileage on the car. Since purcasing the LS I've put 50,000 on it. To be accurate, I just crossed 150,000 last night. 
Other than this pending issue, I've only had to put a coil, valve cover gaskets, and a coolant tank reservoir on the car. It's been darn good to me. But back to the conversation at hand...Apathy, try that and let me know if you experience the same luck. It never fails for me. The shortest amount of distance I've had it work is about 30 to 40 feet. A spirited drive around the block has never let me down though. But a slow move toward a parking spot has turned into a crap shoot for the last 3 months. It's as if reverse is there but I'm having to drive the car a particular way to ensure that it's there when I need it. Let me know.
Other than this pending issue, I've only had to put a coil, valve cover gaskets, and a coolant tank reservoir on the car. It's been darn good to me. But back to the conversation at hand...Apathy, try that and let me know if you experience the same luck. It never fails for me. The shortest amount of distance I've had it work is about 30 to 40 feet. A spirited drive around the block has never let me down though. But a slow move toward a parking spot has turned into a crap shoot for the last 3 months. It's as if reverse is there but I'm having to drive the car a particular way to ensure that it's there when I need it. Let me know.