Where’s the auto trans experts?

[Beekeeper]

I recently bought a 2wd 89 Dakota V6 with an A-500 trans 163,000 miles on it.
The trans has issues but not sure where to start on repairing it. So first thing I know that needs repair is that the gear selector detent ball for the rooster comb has fell out somehow. If it has sat a day or two and I start it up and very slowly move the shifter it will go in reverse and pull pretty strong. I can pull the shifter down slowly toward drive and a very small amount of movement to find drive and it will pull just fine for a couple 100’ feet. I then can stop and place it in park and shut down the engine and come back 5 minutes later and fire it up and never get it to go into any gear at all. Pulls strong when it pulls but wonder what’s going on with it.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

In order for the detent ball to escape the rooster has to move... So either someones been inside or the rooster has broken free of the shaft... Either way the valve body has to come out... I'm assuming you want to keep it low budget at least till you know what you've got...

Your gonna be dropping the pan & valve body... If your careful dropping the pan you should be able to save most of the fluid..Obviously you'll want to use a clean drain pan & don't get in a hurry cause when you drop the valve body lots more fluid will be coming out...

Once the pan is dropped you can evaluate the fluid & whatever debris is in the pan... If it's pretty clean maybe there's hope... But then again if someones been there a clean pan don't mean much..

So drop the valve body & check the detent ball, is the rooster comb still solidly attached to the shift shaft or has it broken loose? If it's broken good, if everything looks normal but the ball has escaped chances are someones been there...

Either way the low budget approach sez, look for obvious problems, fix what you find & put it back together to see if you've been successful... That fluid you saved? If it looks decent I run it through a couple paint strainers then put it back in the trans... If all is good with the trans you can change it later but with fluid going for $6-7 a quart 8-10 quarts of fluid for a test could easily be wasted money...

Oh, if it has the plastic/rubber gasket those are designed to be reused too...

 

[Beekeeper]

Thanks a bunch you got me figured out I gave 500 for the truck and it runs like a top and is straight and solid I want keep it low budget if possible. I figured someone may have tinkered with the lever on the shaft for the rooster comb and let it drop down while in the process and maybe the detent ball and spring are in the pan. I appreciate all your advice and will check it out as soon as I can get to it.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I can spend money as foolishly as anybody but cheap drivers need to stay cheap... Gotta save the $$$$ for cars I care about.... Or beer & strippers... Okay, Tequila & strippers...

 

[493 Mike]

You should consider a new shift shaft seal and band adjustment at 163,000 miles.
Mike

 

[Beekeeper]

You should consider a new shift shaft seal and band adjustment at 163,000 miles.
Mike

Thanks Mike i was planning to do a band adjustment and i will replace the shaft seal
per your recommendation