Transmission fails to go into drive

[richard waters]

I'm a new owner of a 1976 Palm Beach, with 128,000 miles on the engine
and 78,000 on a rebuilt transmission. I've driven it about 5,000 miles
since I bought in back in July. Everything runs fine except for one
thing:

After I back out of my driveway for the first time (after the coach has
been sitting overnight), I find that when when I put the transmission
into drive nothing happens. I can put in back into reverse and nothing
happens. After a frustrating 2-3 minutes (because i'm am stuck in the
middle of the street hoping a car doesn't come by), it will finally go
into drive. The rest of the day will proceed without difficulty. This
will happen just about every day that I take the rig out.

Does anyone have any idea what's happening?

Thanks

 

[heinz wittenbecher]

*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(tm) Pro*
Richard,

Make sure you tranny fluid is up (but don't overfill). And make sure the
stick is accurate, i.e. original.

If the fluid is at the right spot (below add) it'll take some heat to expand
the fluid and once warm/hot it's got enough to grab. Cool down and it's low
again.

If you're loosing fluid unexplainably, i.e. no sign of leak, check/change
the modulator. Not expensive, easy to change and can make a world of
difference.

It may not be that easy, but sometimes the easy are overlooked.

Good luck.

Heinz -- www.bytedesigns.com/gmc
'76 Transmode

>I'm a new owner of a 1976 Palm Beach, with 128,000 miles on the engine
>and 78,000 on a rebuilt transmission. I've driven it about 5,000 miles
>since I bought in back in July. Everything runs fine except for one
>thing:
>
>After I back out of my driveway for the first time (after the coach has
>been sitting overnight), I find that when when I put the transmission
>into drive nothing happens. I can put in back into reverse and nothing
>happens. After a frustrating 2-3 minutes (because i'm am stuck in the
>middle of the street hoping a car doesn't come by), it will finally go
>into drive. The rest of the day will proceed without difficulty. This
>will happen just about every day that I take the rig out.
>
>Does anyone have any idea what's happening?
>
>Thanks
>
>
>
>

 

[thomas g. warner]

Have you checked the transmission fluid level? Sounds like it is low.

>I'm a new owner of a 1976 Palm Beach, with 128,000 miles on the engine
>and 78,000 on a rebuilt transmission. I've driven it about 5,000 miles
>since I bought in back in July. Everything runs fine except for one
>thing:
>
>After I back out of my driveway for the first time (after the coach has
>been sitting overnight), I find that when when I put the transmission
>into drive nothing happens. I can put in back into reverse and nothing
>happens. After a frustrating 2-3 minutes (because i'm am stuck in the
>middle of the street hoping a car doesn't come by), it will finally go
>into drive. The rest of the day will proceed without difficulty. This
>will happen just about every day that I take the rig out.
>
>Does anyone have any idea what's happening?
>
>Thanks
>
>
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach