NEED HELP MECHANICAL ISSUE (possibly transmission)

If the shift linkage is somehow jammed but can be released by jerking on it from underneath, check for broken motor and/or transmission mounts.

Are you sure that the linkage is actually moving at all on the transmission?

What happens if you start it in park and carefully press the gas pedal while still in park? Does the motorhome move in park?

Then shift into reverse and press the pedal again. Does it move in reverse?

Then shift into neutral and press the pedal again. Does it move in neutral?

Are you saying the shift lever does not physically go down into Drive? Or does the shift lever go into drive but the vehicle won't move?

If the shifter physically won't go into drive have your husband look at the whole shift assembly from the steering wheel down to the transmission. Try to see if something is hitting the linkage and stopping it from moving. He might also spot a linkage joint that is stuck and needs a good spray of penetrating oil to free it up.

The fact that you say it does not move in reverse sounds like the shift linkage possibly slipped and is out of adjustment. Again this can be caused by a stuck joint in the shift linkage causing the linkage to slip rather than move the lever on the transmission.

Check the fluid level first off. No fluid, no go.. If low, fill up and it might go.

If fluid on the stick and not low, sniff it.. If it smells "burnt".. No go.. Kinda like burnt toast..

40 year old trans... Might just be done with life if it has fluid and not burnt..

Good to check the linkage, but just "hitting it" might not do much... Have to have hubby lay there and you shift thru the gears and see what the linkage does.. Go from there on what the result is.

Good luck!

Mitch

Is this an original transmission? Have you checked the fluid level correctly?