Have a '88 with the TH125 automatic. Car is stock. When you put it in reverse you can feel the transmission engage. The car will backup at idle but if you hit the gas pedal the engine revs with no increase in reverse speed. Not much pulling power either. Only moves on level ground. This problem started suddenly, not gradual over time. Forward speeds work fine, shifts good. Just reverse problems. The fluid level is normal, no burnt smell and fluid is clean looking. Am I looking at pulling the trans? Ideas?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks, Greg

quote Originally posted by Greg R: Have a '88 with the TH125 automatic. Car is stock. When you put it in reverse you can feel the transmission engage. The car will backup at idle but if you hit the gas pedal the engine revs with no increase in reverse speed. Not much pulling power either. Only moves on level ground. This problem started suddenly, not gradual over time. Forward speeds work fine, shifts good. Just reverse problems. The fluid level is normal, no burnt smell and fluid is clean looking. Am I looking at pulling the trans? Ideas? Any help appreciated. Thanks, Greg

Those 125 transmissions are pretty bullet proof... but I have seen it happen before. How many miles do you have? It's been my experience that when these transmissions are allowed to run low (not saying this is necessarily the case), the first gear to go is usually reverse. That's been my experience in the three Th-125s that I've seen that have failed.

For what it's worth though... one of the guys who had this problem, continued to drive the car with no reverse for at least a whole summer... every day, about 20 miles a day.


EDIT: My guess is that the friction material on the bands for that gear have gone bad. I would figure you're probably looking at a rebuild. If you're considering it though, you might want to consider upgrading to a 4T60 automatic transmission. It's only like... what... another 50 pounds heavier, but you get much better "snap" off the line, you can get it with better gear ratios, and ultimately because it has 4 gears, you'll see a pretty drastic improvement in fuel economy on the highway...


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Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 02-18-2010).]

I took a TH125 out of a car that was working fine. Sat on the garage for near 2yrs and when I put it in the car reverse didn't work. I would say get ready to drop the cradle.

It has approx 112,000 miles on the car. Figured I was looking at a rebuild. The car has the 2.5 and I've heard the 4T60 might be a bit much for that motor in 4th gear. Anybody have experience with that combination? It would be nice to have it in place for a future swap though.
Thanks for the replies.
Greg

I'll be finding out this summer. I picked up an 87 couple and am going to swap a 4T60 I'm rebuilding into it..
I was hoping for great gas mileage with it.
The 4 horse power is not that much lower than the V6 so I don't think it will make much difference.
Plus Nebraska is pretty flat...

I had a cavalier with that same problem. Drove it like that for 2 years. Just had to make sure that I always parked with the nose facing uphill.