AUTO TRANS SHOT? First checks?

[hanajack]

Ref: 84 258 4WD, 81k orig mi.

     After 10 mile drive under 35 mph, had difficulty determining whether in Drive or second.  Stopped.  Started again with much noise and vibration.  Had to move on.  After 1 mile and another stop, car barely moved.  Tried to nurse it home [remote area].  No movement in any gear, but waiting a minute or so could hear it "clunk" into gear at which time it would move for 20 seconds, stop, wait - another 20 seconds to 10, - ten to five seconds, five to two seconds.  Got it to a side road where a friend happened by and towed it home.

     Any diagnosis, opinion, tip, information greatly appreciated.

[eaglefreek]

Of course the first thing to check would be fluid level of the transmission and see if it is brown or smells burnt. The second thing I would check is to make sure the transfer case isn't in a false neutral. Do a search on false neutral. But it does sound like a transmission issue. 

[carnuck]

Actually, it sounds like mine did when the rear end blew.

[txjeeptx]

Good, you got the driveshaft replaced. Sounds like it might be low on fluid, but could be suffering from cracked torque converter drive notches, which would cause the trans to drain/leak out a lot of fluid while parked overnight or a long day, which would leave you with a low fluid level. The pump sucks up nothing but air, so the bands cant hold, and the car goes nowhere. Low fluid also means less fluid to handle heat, so fluid can break down and burn, also parts get hotter with less fluid volume to cool them. Its a problem that feeds on itself.

[hanajack]

     Thanks to all.  I have moved topic to:  TRANSFER CASE – “FALSE NEUTRAL”