The major trucks categorized as Chevy Trucks are the Colorado and Silverado. Like other vehicles, the transmission is what enables the Chevy Truck to reverse, the type of transmission however varies from truck model to model. One way to find out the type of transmission in your truck is by checking the manual.
It can be quite frustrating when your truck refuses to go in reverse, this shows that something is wrong somewhere. You’ll have to find a way to make it work because if it doesn’t work you will be stuck wherever your car is parked.
A couple of problems could be why your truck won’t go in reverse, since the transmission is responsible for the vehicle’s ability to go in reverse, then it is the first place to check.
A number of things could be wrong in the transmission from fluid leakage, a fault with the transmission itself to gunk in the transmission fluid obstructing the flow, etc.
Some problems with the transmission can be fixed in a matter of minutes while others will require the service of an expert. Whatever the case may be, immediate actions should be taken to fix it.
Can My Chevy Truck Refuse to Go in Reverse?
Yes, your Chevy can refuse to go in reverse. When this happens, it shouldn’t be a cause for panic as it could be something minor causing the problem.
However, the cause of the no reverse could be a more serious problem that will require the car to be towed to an expert for troubleshooting and repairs
What Causes a Chevy Truck to Refuse to go in Reverse
It is not uncommon to see a truck finding it difficult to reverse, this could be due to a minor or major problem in the car. When there’s a problem with the reverse gear not moving the first place our mind goes to is the transmission.
Low Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is very important for the proper functioning of the reverse gear as it serves as a lubricant for the gear.
When the fluid is low or dried out in the transmission there is little or no fluid flowing to the gear. No fluid leads to the gear getting stuck which can result in its inability to reverse.
Bad Selector Sensor
A bad selector sensor could be the cause of no reverse. The selector sensor is there to detect the change when you’re changing from one gear to reverse, it helps to prevent unexpected movement of the truck. When the selector sensor is bad there is no way for it to detect the change in gear and obey the instruction.
Valve Body Problem
It could also be a problem with the valve body, although this is not a common cause of no reverse. The valve body is the brain of the transmission, it is made up of valves, passages that direct the free flow of fluid in the transmission to the various parts(gear) where it is needed.
Gears won’t shift when the valve body is bad because it won’t be able to pass fluid to the required parts. One way to detect a bad valve is when your truck won’t go into any gear.
Dirty Transmission Fluid
Dirty transmission fluid is also a cause of no reverse in a truck. The fluid channeled to the gearboxes can be contaminated by dirt, gunk, or debris leading to clogging of the transmission filter.
A clogged transmission filter will not allow enough fluid to pass through to the reverse gear thereby leaving the gear improperly lubricated.
All transmission-related problems should be taken care of as fast as possible so it doesn’t lead to more serious and costly problems.
How Do You Fix a Chevy Truck that Won’t Go in Reverse?
Fixing a truck that won’t go in reverse will depend on what the problem is, you have to know what the problem is in order to proffer a solution.
If the truck isn’t going in reverse because of low or dried-out transmission fluid then it’s quite easy. Check the transmission to be sure the fluid didn’t dry out because of a leakage or worn-out part, have the source of the leakage fixed or replaced, and top up the fluid to the required level.
A bad selector sensor has been the cause of no reverse should be replaced, you can decide to employ the services of an expert or fix it yourself provided you have the required knowledge and equipment.
Fixing a bad valve body can be done by either replacing or rebuilding it. Replacing a valve body is usually more expensive than replacing it.
The decision to either rebuild or replace will be made by the part of the valve that is damaged and the extent of the damage.
In order to prevent the transmission fluid from getting contaminated, the transmission filter should be cleaned out regularly and the fluid changed as often as possible.
Disadvantages of Chevy Truck Not Going in Reverse
Although it is not uncommon to have cases of no reverse in trucks, there are disadvantages to it, some of which are:
- It is a Safety Hazard: When in a dangerous situation is a bad time for your car not to go into reverse like you’re trying to get out of a difficult situation but your truck won’t reverse. The inability to get out of a tight situation because you can’t get your truck to move back can be very costly.
- Extra Cost to Fix the Problem: For a person that didn’t read all the signs given by the transmission before it got to a point of no reverse, the cost of fixing the damage caused can be quite high compared to a person that took action immediately.
- Troubleshooting the Problem Could be a Waste of Time: The time wasted in trying to find out what the problem is can be used for something more profiting.
Conclusion
It is important to have basic knowledge of the Chevy truck, this helps you to know when something is going wrong with it and you’re able to take the necessary steps to correct the wrong before it becomes a bigger problem. The Chevy Trucks are known to use automatic transmission.
When taking your car for transmission part fixing, ensure you take it to a repair shop where they know what they are doing. Repairing some parts of a transmission can be quite complicating even for an expert, so don’t take it to a shop where further damage will be done and you will have to spend more.