NEED HELP MECHANICAL ISSUE (possibly transmission)

[Tayler_Flores31]

I have a 79 dodge Winnebago 29 footer 440. I’ve lost some gears so I can it’ll go into park reverse neutral but that’s it when I try to put it into drive it’s hard as a rock and won’t budge. It’s never acted like this before then when I put it in reverse it doesn’t do nothing but sit there. My husband went underneath & hit the linkage to see if it was possibly stuck nope still nothing. PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP ME THIS IS MY HOME AND I DONT WANNA LOSE MY HOME

[mchero]

Know of a couple full timming in a beatup Bounder. They where stranded in Maine telling me the linkage between steering column and trans was broken and was told the part was unavailable. I told them that I found that story very hard to believe with thousands of Bounders driving all over the USA.
I believed they then looked into it a little deeper and found something because they are now spending the winter in NH.

[wopachop]

Maybe that one fella ran her off.

I learned a lot from this thread. Interesting about the fuse connected to the brake pedal and how sometimes that can be bypassed.

[mchero]

Two days and no response from OP! Go figure!

[DrewE]

Teacher's Pet wrote:
As Scottiemom has said a "fuse" was the problem. 1998 Intruder Class A on a F53 Ford chassis ... I know it doesn't make sense...changed a blown "cruise control" fuse and all was well never had the problem again. BTW the television interlock was on same fuse circuit.

Apparently the interlock that won't let you shift out of park unless the brake pedal was pressed is on the same circuit which had the blown fuse. Sometimes there's some way of mechanically bypassing this solenoid that's detailed in the vehicle's manual (which would be used, for example, if one needed to put a dead vehicle with a dead battery in neutral in order to haul it around somewhere).

I would not bet money that the poster's old motorhome has such an interlock, but I suppose it might.

[markchengr]

I used to have a 79 Winny on a dodge chassis like you have. If you look closely where the rod along the steering column connects to the pivot point at the lower end there is an offset pin which goes into a bushing. This bushing wears until the hole is too big to allow proper movement to the arm on the transmission. The solution is to replace the bushing. I had to make one out of a piece of steel tubing. You'll probably need help. I would try a Dodge dealer or a good independent shop. Good luck. -Mark.

[ajriding]

Many here might be able to help with vehicle diagnosis issues, but for magnitudes more help...

If you want to get serious about finding answers and finding people who have had the exact same issues then find a DODGE Van or truck forum!

There is absolutely nothing unique about a transmission on an RV compared to the same transmission on the same chassis in the regular van or truck configuration. The RV is just built on a stripped down van chassis.

Vans and trucks often use the exact same motor and trans.

Truck guys on a truck forum will be more likely to know and help you, they are way more likely to be mechanics than van owners, and the truck forums are more active.

You should be able to just browse a truck or van forum for Dodge and find the answer has already been discussed.

Camper forums will be helpful for camper issues like toilets, batteries, roof leaks and such. Go to a vehicle forum for vehicle issues.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

As Scottiemom has said a "fuse" was the problem. 1998 Intruder Class A on a F53 Ford chassis ... I know it doesn't make sense...changed a blown "cruise control" fuse and all was well never had the problem again. BTW the television interlock was on same fuse circuit.

[Scottiemom]

We once stopped at a rest area for lunch in our Class A gasser. When we went to leave, the shifter would not move. . . period. We tried several things that didn't work. We were about ready to call a tow truck when my DH thought to look at fuses. Had one blown fuse that was the culprit. Never would have guessed that, but that's what it was.
Replaced the fuse and we were good to go.

So check fuses.

Dale

[Lynnmor]

If you can physically remove the linkage from the transmission, you should be able to move the gearshift lever, if you can't then the problem is with the linkage. You can test the transmission by moving the part were the linkage was attached. Of course chock the wheels before crawling under.

[Lwiddis]

Forty+ year old tranny...not surprised. When was the last transmission service completed, Tayler?

[ernie1]

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.

[opnspaces]

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?

[opnspaces]

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.

[MitchF150]

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