91 d21 transmisson.....please help

[garreston22]

Hey guys!!!!! Im new to the forum and believe that this site will be very valuable as i restore my nissan. I just bought a 91 nissan d21. Its an automatic 4 cyl, the gear shifter is on the steering column. It has the 2.4 in it. Please pardon my termology, but for a female, I do pretty well hands on. But my first problem is that the truck will not go into gear. I can go through all the gears and it acts as if its in neutral. Its runs just fine, but I need to get it to move. I have heard multiple issues it could be, but is there anything "simple" it could be before I go and change the transmission? I bought the truck for only $300 for this reason. Is there any solenoids that control the torque convertor? I am so excited to get my truck rollin on its way to recovery. Thank you so much for helping me out. Shonna

[RT]

Not a transmission expert but make sure the linkage is all hooked up. When selecting the gears does the linkage on the trans move. If so and still no go I bet the trans is shot. Not likely any solenoid would make all the gears go out at once. May need to get it rebuilt or buy a rebuilt. may be expensive but for 300 buck truck even with coast of trans it is great deal if truck is okay. Try local junk yards for cheap alternative to rebuild. Search web many places remanufacture trans with great warranties. Will be pricey though. Junk yard may be best and cheapest bet.

[Rev_D21]

I would scrap the auto and do a manual swap which can be had by grabbing parts from a junk truck. Too many variables when it comes to fixing up an auto it's not really worth it.

I am sure you already checked this but does the transmission have fluid and if yes what color? As RT asked, is the linkage hooked up? Is the cable in good shape or snapped? If you pull the pan are there a lot of metal filings?

[garreston22]

Thank you so much, I will follow up when its rollin

[garreston22]

The transmission fluid was nice and red, no metal shaving in the pan, but whoever had it, had the wrong filter on it. the neck didnt quite go far enough...compared to the one I had botten from napa. As far as the linkage, I have not checked that but will be sure to do so. I would love to put a manual in it, but I was told I would have to buy another truck to have everything I needed......so I should be able to buy it all from a yard? Got the list? Thank you

[garreston22]

OK, I pulled the transmission line from the radator to see if it would push the fluid through. It only dripped out. I checked the linkage and it works. I guess my next move is to pull the transmission and change the torque convertor, and the pump. Is there any way to test the torque convertor or the pump? Now im heading in a unfamilar area to me. Thanks

[Rev_D21]

Hooking up some pressure gauges should show if the pump is working or not. The TC could be dead since it doesn't seem you can perform a stall test on it.