Sounds as though his rear clutch in the main transmission is gone. However,
since the direct clutch in the OD is applied by a large spring, its possible
that the direct clutch in the OD is shot as well. From his description of
odd behavior, I'd bet on the OD direct failing, but the rear clutch in the
main trans is a close second in my long distance opinion.
Has any of the electronics been checked for codes or failure?

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>> Thanks to all who responded so far.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> behind the deal. Good luck and I hope a transmission rebuilder starts
> cruising this ng.
> Sounds as though his rear clutch in the main transmission is gone.
> However, since the direct clutch in the OD is applied by a large spring,
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Has any of the electronics been checked for codes or failure?
No codes.
If the OD had failed, then why does it not run in any other gear including
reverse?
Personally I am starting to think it is a lack of fluid flow due to the
symtoms:
Not shifting up when it was moving and low trans temp at the sensor.
Of coure eventually it kept shifting down and got to second before I just
had to pull over. After that it would not move anymore.
15 years ago I did rebuild a trans from a 79 chrysler I had.
That was a different item. The 47RE is about twice the size and a lot more
stuff connected to it.
And if I had done a crappy jpb of it, I could have just run down to the
salvage yard and gotten a different trans for $125.
I will not be able to pull this thing alone, if I had to and I don't think I
will find that many RE47s at a junk yard.
In this case I would rather know what I should be looking for before I start
digging and make possibly make things worse.
On the old Crysler the trans was slipping. I knew the problem with that. I
went and got a book that covered taking the whole think apart and bought a
rebuild kit for only $30 at a trans part shop. Easy enough to just replace
a few pieces that it came with.
>>> Thanks to all who responded so far.
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>> behind the deal. Good luck and I hope a transmission rebuilder starts
>> cruising this ng.
Tom Lawrence - 23 Mar 2007 00:56 GMT
> If the OD had failed, then why does it not run in any other gear including
> reverse?
No, he said the OD direct clutch. Think of the OD unit as a two-speed
transmission. There's one speed that's 1:1 - that's the direct clutch. The
second speed is the .69:1 overdrive. That's the overdrive clutch. One or
the other has to be applied to get power to transfer through the unit.
> Personally I am starting to think it is a lack of fluid flow due to the
> symtoms:
Yes, that's certainly a possibility. That's what pressure tests are for.
Get a set of pressure gauges (100psi and 300psi), and appropriate fittings
(they're all 1/8" NPT), and a service manual, and perform some pressure
tests. After checking the fluid level, of course.
> 15 years ago I did rebuild a trans from a 79 chrysler I had.
> That was a different item. The 47RE is about twice the size and a lot more
> stuff connected to it.
Not really. Minus the overdrive unit, and the electronics on the valve
body, it's basically the same transmission.
Hey Max, could a blown TC cause this? My Nissan had the same problem and
that's what it turned out to be.

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> Sounds as though his rear clutch in the main transmission is gone. However,
> since the direct clutch in the OD is applied by a large spring, its possible
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> > behind the deal. Good luck and I hope a transmission rebuilder starts
> > cruising this ng.
Max Dodge - 23 Mar 2007 14:00 GMT
A failed TC could cause this, certainly. But it would be an mechanical
malfunction, since any "disintegration" of the interior would likely lock
the TC up. It might physically shove the TCC closed if given the chance.
However, if he lost the stator roller clutch, that might exhibit symptoms
similar to what he's got. That would allow the stator to reverse its
rotation, killing the fluid flow, and thus power transfer.
The first thing I'd do would be to check the hydraulics as TomL suggests,
then check the pan for debris.

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Max
Join www.devilbrad.com and find out what free exchange of info is all about.
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soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
> Hey Max, could a blown TC cause this? My Nissan had the same problem and
> that's what it turned out to be.
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>> > behind the deal. Good luck and I hope a transmission rebuilder starts
>> > cruising this ng.