auto troubles

[chadmanawatu]

hi my vr v8 has started to not select reverse, sometimes it will if its on a flat surface but any incline/decline it wont. any ideas what this could be? (f****d?)...i have heard that there is two types of trannys (i'm not sure which one i have... any ideas how to tell?) for these commodores and that if it was this one perticular one only that one can be put back in because of the wiring harness....? true or not? if it is this type could i stick another type in and change the harness or something along these lines? as i am working on a budget and i can do the work myself, but i was wondering if there were ways of puting a TH400 behind instead, i know i will be loosing the 4th gear but could this be a cheaper alternative? any thoughts would be a great help. thanks

[clazzza commy]

im guessing u have checked the tranny fliud level?

[ephect]

generally this is a sign of ur auto having a problem (genuis i know!).. firstly yes check your fluid, but if the fluid level is fine, u have a few options. does the auto slip and thud into gears changing up in gears? if it does ur auto is on its last legs.
if it changes fine and its only reverse, could just be a screwed reverse solenoid.

1. get it checked and hopefully its just a solenoid that needs replacing. get a service also roughly $200-400
2. if its screwed get ur current one reco'd back to standard, or whack in a shifkit. looking around $1000-2500 pending what u get done and where u take it.
3. fine a second-hand auto ranging from $200-800 pending condition and if it has a shift kit or whatever.

there is a member trying to sell one atm check the "parts for sale" section

[chadmanawatu]

its hard to say bout the thud into gears as it has a stage two shift kit and thuds anyway. (which i didnt put in, and it seems to feel hard on the box anyway). the id tags say its a m30 trans??

[ephect]

more of a slip then thud, but if it feels like its shifting fine, then it should just be a solenoid, but get her checked and serviced