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86 camaro not moving when in gear.

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Old Apr 23, 2025 | 09:00 PM
  #1  
KR81's Avatar
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From: Sydney, Australia
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
86 camaro not moving when in gear.

Hi guys, trying to help a friend with his 86 camaro. Stock auto tpi vehicle. He parked it up and didn't drive it for about a month, drove fine when he did that but recently went to move it and the car will not accelerate or even try to move when in gear, OD, D, 1,2, R, just revs like its in neutral. I initially thought his brakes might be a little rusted over the callipers but no.
I checked the gear linkage and found the bracket to be very loose and thought once I tightened it back up that would be that but still nothing. Found that the reverse lights dont come on so thought it could be the neutral safety switch, but it still only starts in D and N, nothing else.
Any suggestions where to go from here ?
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Old Apr 24, 2025 | 07:51 AM
  #2  
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From: Armstrong B.C.
Car: 1991 camaro Z28
Engine: Forged 370" LS turbo s488
Transmission: Built 4L80e FTI converter
Axle/Gears: MWC 9" 35 spline 3.25 gears
Re: 86 camaro not moving when in gear.

Is there fluid in the transmission??
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Old Apr 24, 2025 | 10:17 AM
  #3  
8t2 z-chev's Avatar
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From: belle fourche,s.d.
Car: '82 z28
Engine: L83 5.7
Transmission: 700r4-1985
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: 86 camaro not moving when in gear.

common with old 700s to lose fluid when they sit a while-fluid drains out of converter,raises pan level and floods out of speedo gear or shift seals.
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Old Apr 24, 2025 | 04:20 PM
  #4  
KR81's Avatar
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From: Sydney, Australia
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Re: 86 camaro not moving when in gear.

Originally Posted by thatsupnow
Is there fluid in the transmission??
Unable to check properly at the moment as we were in the process of replacing his radiator so we can't run it to operating temp to get a proper fluid level reading. Once he gets the parts necessary for me to fit his new radiator I'll be able to run it and check the fluid, shows literally no fluid though when cold. Thought it wouldn't be fluid though as there's no signs of leaking in either of the two spots where he usually parks it and as far I knew he had fluid in before but I can't be 100% sure. Just trying to eliminate anything I can while waiting for parts but guess I'll have to wait till I have his cooling system up and running.
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Old Apr 24, 2025 | 05:55 PM
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From: az
Car: 91 WS6 GTA
Engine: 5.3
Transmission: 4l60e
Re: 86 camaro not moving when in gear.

Originally Posted by KR81
so we can't run it to operating temp to get a proper fluid level reading.
proper or not, does the stick show wetness on it?
put a 3/8 rubber fuel line conecting the two trans lines, and start the car.
let it run and check the fluid level.
if its cold itll be low on the stick...but itll still show.
if its low it wont show on the stick.
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Old Apr 24, 2025 | 06:06 PM
  #6  
KR81's Avatar
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From: Sydney, Australia
Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: 305 TPI
Re: 86 camaro not moving when in gear.

Originally Posted by bk2life
proper or not, does the stick show wetness on it?
put a 3/8 rubber fuel line conecting the two trans lines, and start the car.
let it run and check the fluid level.
if its cold itll be low on the stick...but itll still show.
if its low it wont show on the stick.
Thanks, will try that.
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Old May 5, 2025 | 07:27 AM
  #7  
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Re: 86 camaro not moving when in gear.

Hi guys, trying to help a friend with his 86 camaro. Stock auto tpi vehicle. He parked it up and didn't drive it for about a month, drove fine when he did that but recently went to move it and the car will not accelerate or even try to move when in gear, OD, D, 1,2, R, just revs like its in neutral. I initially thought his brakes might be a little rusted over the callipers but no.
Spoiler
 
I checked the gear linkage and found the bracket to be very loose and thought once I tightened it back up that would be that but still nothing. Found that the reverse lights dont come on so thought it could be the neutral safety switch, but it still only starts in D and N, nothing else.
Any suggestions where to go from here ?
Any update now, How is everything going?

Last edited by KiernanWexlow; May 22, 2025 at 07:18 AM.
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