Tim King transmission problem

**RamonGTX** · 05-08-2012

So I recently installed my brand new tim king transmission and I can't find reverse. When I do find reverse its in between park and reverse and every other gear is moved up one. Tim had me remove the round cap and see if the reverse servo was seated in the band right and that's all correct. My shift cable is correct and idk what else it could be. He's lost and so am I but he wants me to ship it back to take the side cover off and idk what to do because I can't afford all that when I just bought a new expensive transmission. Has anyone ever had this problem before?

**txslow6** · 05-08-2012

I have not, but my TK trans has like 8K on it and I don't don't drive my car very often. I know dallasneon had his crap out on him with about 12K on it.

**BillBoost37** · 05-09-2012

I know the problem.

Let Tim know that you need a manual valve/manual valve rod combo that is correct. The problem for some guys when they have too many parts laying around (I learned this from experience) is that you can mix and match parts to build the best transmission. However some parts are different and the ATSG book, GM and all the other resources don't cull out that the parts are different.

Here's the two different length manual valve rods

And the two different length manual valves

If you combine a long rod with a long valve, your valve is out of place. That's why your reverse is just far enough out of park for the parking pawl to be disengaged. Technically reverse would work in park if the pawl wasn't holding the transmission still. All your gears are off by one position on your shifter. Been there, done that, figures out how to fix it in the car.

The reason you see the measurement on this parts case is because it's a painful less to have learned. This gives you the info you need to know the correct length fo the valve and rod.

What you need to do is drain the fluid. Pull the side cover bolts and pop out the manual valve and or link. 2003 SSEi recently did this in the vehicle and may be able to add some tips. He said it was a pain due to the amount of space available. The other option is to lower that side of the cradle enough to pull the side cover off and then it's each to get at it. It's more involved though.

**2003 SSEi** · 05-09-2012

I had the EXACT same problem, Bill is correct

**BillBoost37** · 05-09-2012

Bill told you what your issue was...lol

Got any tips for this guy as to how to swap w/o dropping the cradle?

**Dallasneon** · 05-09-2012

I just shipped my TK trans back yesterday. I haven't had the best of luck with this trans from the get go. When it was installed I had no reverse, called Tim and he had the shop remove the top cap and the reverse band wasn't seated properly, popped the band back on and it was fine for 12K miles. Tim took care of the cost for the shop to do that BTW. About a month ago the car started to shudder while trying to maintain any speed from 40-70mph, called Tim he said it was possibly the TCC solenoid valve, said it was cool to drive. Drove it for another week and then it felt like the TC was fully engaged all the time. Took it off the road, and pulled the trans a couple weekends ago. **** happens and Tim seems to be a stand up guy. Hopefully he can make it right for you.