Stuck In Driveway 1995.5 FZJ80 285K Miles

[bluto]

Good morning from SoCal. Long time member (new handle) and haven't been active in awhile.

Before reading on, my problem is to get my 80 drive out of my driveway or at least get it towed out to a repair shop. Car starts. Transmission won't let it reverse or drive with gear changes (R N D) and hand brake off. I want to get it up and running and get it smog legal in CA this month.

1995.5 FZJ80, 280k+miles bought used with 150K (2005), last maintenance 10+ years oil change and brake pads, daily driver 99.9% since purchase. No transmission fluid changes - currently slight tan browinish but no residue that might indicate metal (using the transmission stick in the engine bay).

So, I've had my 1995.5 FZJ80 since 2005 and was primarily bought to offroad and camp. But, it ended up as a daily driver for 99.9% of its life with me. For the last 10 years, mandatory maintenance has not been done other than oil change and brake pads replacement. Numerous leaks not repaired, as I can tell from reading the 80 forum, are from O ring, valve gasket, somewhere in the power steering, and failing head gasket. Oil and filter change this last weekend. Power steering fluid topped off.

The 80 has been California DMV non-operational since June of last year 2018. It has been parked in my driveway leaking in all the places I've mentioned above. The time sitting not being started has been close to a year now.

Now, I want to start repairs replace to get my 80 running and start to use it for what I bought it for. The big problem though is that it drive itself out of the driveway.

Problem started when I was driving it to get smog in June 2018. While driving from a stop, it started to drive like it was in 1st gear even though I was climbing towards the 30mph mark - I had the transmission on DRIVE. Instinctively, I drove back home with the 80 driving like it was on 1st gear all the way home which was about less than 4 miles away. It was like driving up the I5 Grapevine -tortuous slow and every car passing me. The max speed from what I remember was in the low to mid 20s mph.

Finally, I got it on my inclined driveway and parked it with the handbrake on. Turned it off. I sat there and gave it about 5 minutes before restarting it. No problem starting but now it won't go forward or reverse with the appropriate transmission gear changes.
Transmission fluid color (hasn't been changed since my ownership) - currently slight tan browinish but no residue that might indicate metal (using the transmission stick in the engine bay).

What I did with the handbrake off and checked transmission stick (engine bay) = FULL:
Change to reverse - engine revs but no backward movement
Change to neutral - does not roll downwards with help of gravity
Change to drive - engine revs but does not go forward

From that point on, 80 was non-op with the CA DMV and never driven again.

I'm at work right now and now used up my lunch time to read through the forum and type this thread. Forgive me if my post responses are delayed due to work - EDIT - Might not be able to post back my responses I've got to head out and will be away from my computer.

Please post any replies that can get my 80 at least drivable or towed to a repair shop.

Thanks for any info.

From my research here at MUD, this problem seems to point to transmission solenoid failures.

 

[Tools R Us]

Have a helper hold the brakes, start it, put it in gear and attempt to drive, while holding the brake. Look under, is one of the driveshafts turning?

 

[dallen341]

I would check the barrel shaped connector by the starter for moisture/corrosion. Also check fluid level is proper.

 

[Tools R Us]

When shifted, do the dash indicator lights show the correct gear, same as the shifter position?

 

[rolliges]

Is it perhaps in Low Range or some where between Low and High?

Check the other, smaller, shifter on the right of the normal one.

 

[bluto]

Away from the 80 but will do when I get home.

Have a helper hold the brakes, start it, put it in gear and attempt to drive, while holding the brake. Look under, is one of the driveshafts turning?

I would check the barrel shaped connector by the starter for moisture/corrosion. Also check fluid level is proper.

 

[bluto]

I vaguely remember checking the High and Low Range. But I will check again.

The transmission position light indicate the proper gear I change to R N. No D light since its burnt out.

Thanks for all the replies. I know it doesnt help when I'm not with the truck and can't give feedback. It makes it worse I'm typing this on a phone. Will report back the results.

Thanks and I'm appreciative of the responses.

Is it perhaps in Low Range or some where between Low and High?

Check the other, smaller, shifter on the right of the normal one.

When shifted, do the dash indicator lights show the correct gear, same as the shifter position?

 

[bluto]

Before i sign off, any suggestions that I can do to get it on a flat bed without having my 80 drag its 4 tires onto the tow truck? I already tried neutral and it would not roll down my driveway even with a person pushing it.

 

[Tools R Us]

Before i sign off, any suggestions that I can do to get it on a flat bed without having my 80 drag its 4 tires onto the tow truck? I already tried neutral and it would not roll down my driveway even with a person pushing it.

Humf, did you try with the Transfer in neutral? If it wont roll, the problem is most likely wheel bearing, etc. On the last drive, was it making excessive, unusual noise?

 

[BILT4ME]

The truck has been sitting with the parking brake on for 10 months.

1) The parking brake won't release because the shoes and /or cables are rusted in the tight position. Release the handbrake with the WHEELS CHOCKED and SOMEONE HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL. Then get under it with a hammer to release the cable pivots on the rear of each rear backing plate. You can do this with the engine running to get "power brakes". Don't get run over.

2) Place the transfer case shifter into 4LO (pulled back toward the console). You MAY have to do this move with the transmission in N.

3) Start the truck and attempt to move it. Place in D, L or R.

4) Check your codes on it to see if you have a transmission code. The 1995 version is OBD2, so it should be easy to get the codes. Otherwise, research the proper method to check the codes with a paperclip.

5) Check you transmission fluid level with it running and in D. It should be NEAR the full mark, although a little low since it will still be cold. Only check on flat ground and I know you are trying to get it there.