82 amc sx4 drove to a meeting came out no gears at all

[pigonawing]

82 amc sx4 drove to a meeting came out no gears at all. had a slight noise in neutral nothing in any other gear. with the help of 83eagle and a free tow got it to where i could work on it when we got it off the trailer i had it running when i when to put it in park reverse started work along with all the other gears wtf do i do now will it hold or do i need some major repairs it like it needed a hard bump to kick it back almost like it was stuck between gears. what do i do

[ericarmstrong]

Make sure your transfer case is fully engaged. It can slip in between gears and cause similar issues.

[pigonawing]

that was the 1st thing i checked because my switch don't work in the dash i had my 9/16 ready cause the sound the whining was very similar but nope and like i said all is well now i just dont think i can trust it it has leaked as long as ive had it changed pan gasket and filter in october really lost and broke just spent 300 on a wheel bearing
 

[thereverendbill]

drop the trans pan.  When mine had the mysterious work then not work thing going on it turned out to be friction material pyramiding and clogging the filter.  once i washed the pan out real good and installed a new trans gasket it's been great ever since

[DarthGremlin]

Mine did EXACTLY the same thing, including the part where it worked (briefly) after coming off the rollback at home.  I did just what thereverendbill is suggesting and the problem was solved, with no recurrence since November.  That's at least a fairly cheap place to start.

I think the filter/gasket kit was about $12-15 at NAPA.

[pigonawing]

well since i was thinking replace it all together i took it to a farm where i do major repairs if i can get it back to my garage with it now working briefly and try that i will im just afraid of bringing it back in to town and have the same thing happen in rush hr traffic not in a parking lot like happened this time. im also afraid a tranny shop would eat me for breakfast or at least my wallet but that is 2 confirmed similar problems what do i look 4 once it is open and dose any1 know the part # of the 1 with cork gaskets last time i got a set that had rubber and i want the cork if i gotta redo this again

[pigonawing]

you are saying to replace the filter too right

[wagoneerhauler]

It wouldn't make sense to skip changing the filter if you have the pan off.  Why do you prefer the cork gasket?

[pigonawing]

cause i change this all last october to stop a leak that did not work either i think because of the crappy rubber gasket. is the something  should see in the pan when its removed

[wagoneerhauler]

From the description the two guys gave there will be a lot of material in the pan so you'll see it.  However, if that's the case and you had just changed it in the fall then I'd imagine your trans is going to be toast.  I like the rubber gaskets myself.  They seem to work well for me and don't dry out (harden) like cork versions do.  Plus when it comes time to change it again they don't leave a mess like the corks do either.  Try using a tack adhesive on the pan flange.  It comes in a spray can.  Spray a coat on and let it tack up for a few minutes then put the gasket on the pan.  This holds it in place and makes it easier to position the gasket/pan to the trans on reinstall.

Since you had a transfluid leak did the level get really low at some point?  Is the linkage from the carb to the trans adjusted correctly?

[pigonawing]

no the level has never gotten past showing on the stick i fear im wasting my time with this repair ive never been 1 that had luck with quick fixes i still think it was just caught between gears cause it all works fine now but i dont know it has been shifting a little hard outta 2nd as well

[thereverendbill]

how is your kickdown rod? if it has degraded and is no longer working that is what started the snowball effect that is now your hard shifting

[pigonawing]

well shes fried gotta find a good used cheap tranny fast hope 83 eagle can help me out

[Mavericke]

I've got several trannies laying around the Sanctuary and I should be up in the Tama/Toledo, IA. area in the next few weeks if  you want me to bring one up unless you want to come up sooner and pick it up here. You and Brandon are about 5-6hrs from me and if you came out to the Sanctuary to pick it up... I'd trade it to you for some help with the Sanctuary and moving some stuff around in preparation for the meet coming up. It's just a thought - don't worry about the past either. It's ancient history. Make Brandon drive you out and give him an excuse to come out again too. Or maybe with Doug's permission, you guys could meet me there for a mini-meet and help me load up his Cherokee and that big sign. If necessary - I could probably make the trip sooner if everyone can work out there schedules - I'm not working so my time is wide open for whatever.

It would be really cool if you guys came out to the Sanctuary though!

Are you sure it's friend though? When you started the thread, I thought a filter/fluid change as well and I agree with wagoneerhauler on the rubber gasket thing. Someone also mentioned the linkage... that crap will cause you a lot of grief if it's "off" by even just a little.

[83Eagle!]

SOmetime in the nesxt few days I am hooking Pigonawing up with the transmission that I picked up in Sioux Falls South Dakota last year.  Giving him a deal on it too. 

It is from a Dakota AMC Club member.  It is a low mileage unit.  The gentleman I got it from had rebuilt some very quality AMCs, and he and his father really know their stuff.  If they say it is good to go I'll bet on it, and I am not a betting man.  All it needs is serviced and would be good to go.