Delay in Reverse Gear (TH350)

[LeadHead]

When I shift into reverse in the mornings right after startup, it wont go anywhere. It was a slight 2-3 second delay, but now the delay is much longer. When the truck is warmed up, it shifts into reverse perfectly fine.

Can I fix this? How would I go abouts doing it?

Thanks a lot. I apologize if this question has already been asked, I did a quick search. Thanks!

Edit: Forward gears are perfect and shifting smooth. And when it does shift into reverse, it dont clunk either, pretty smooth shift after the delay.

 

[towman]

try changing the fluid and filter, have seen slow delay caused by plugged up filter

 

[dhamp]

try changing the fluid and filter, have seen slow delay caused by plugged up filter

And the symptom is intensified by the thicker, cold fluid

 

[bucket]

My '84 has the exact same problem. It started out how you described, then slowly got much worse over the years. It got to the point where reverse was basically useless.

...Then reverse just started working one day, and it's been fine since. On a chilly/cold morning, there is still a delay, but once it goes in reverse it's fine after that.

I don't know what caused it to start working again. Maybe the Lucas finally helped it, maybe a bit of debris finally broke free, I dunno. I'm not complaining though.

 

[LeadHead]

Thanks a lot yall. I'll change the fluid and filter. Should I run some Trans X through it?

The truck does perfectly fine mid-day also. Just dont like morning start-up. Makes sense about the cold and thicker fluid, thanks!

 

[HotRodPC]

I Thought I responded to this already. But now that I read it, your last response confirms my thoughts. Your low and reverse seals are in the very rear of the case where not lots of oils gets to constantly. Also if the vehicle has ever sat for a long period of time, this is the kind of things that will happen. Its due to hardened or worn low/reverse piston seals. I was going to add, if you try a trans conditioner like Lucas, it may soften and swell the seals eventually and then it might work better.
Now you mention you did add Lucas and now it at least works. So that pretty much confirms to me, its likely the those seals in the back have hardened. Go ahead and change the fluid and filter. I'd add Lucas again this time too. You might even make more progress in the revitalization of those rear seals. Its worth a try since it can't hurt for sure. But, if after this fluid change, adding the Lucas again, I would leave it alone and be satisfied if all it has is a delay when cold. I say that being that you mentioned it was bad enough at one time, it didn't work at all. That says they were in pretty bad shape and you dodged the need for an immediate rebuild.