tom54tay

Long story short.
Had been having blue smoke out of exhaust only at stop after running hard. Decided to replace vacuum modulator and when pulled out lot of transmission fluid came out. Replaced the modulator and now it won't shift out of park. Recently I had noticed that when shifting out of park into reverse seem to hesitate a few seconds, seemed like a vacuum delay. Anyway, now nothing after new modulator. I checked hoses and seem ok. Any suggestions?

joe_padavano

The modulator has nothing to do with shifting in or out of park. Did you check the fluid level after it leaked out?

Koda

Ok, so you can shift the shifter but it does not do anything? Low fluid like Joe says.

Vintage Chief

Fair enough question; yet, I believe the jury remains deadlocked as the OP states:

which is then followed up w/:

I suspect the OP cannot shift out of park but prior to not shifting out of park, the OP noticed when shifting out of park into reverse seem to hesitate (which apparently led to changing the modulator).

I think we would all agree if currently, the OP cannot shift out of park, the issue is not likely to be low transmission fluid.

tom54tay

I did check fluid and added a pint, Hard to get accurate level since car not able to move to get hot, other than idling in garage. I am sure at least a quart came out, if not more. It may have been over filled, since I had it drained and new cover replaced last year.

Vintage Chief

I believe the more pressing question right now is this.

Does the shift lever move from Park into Reverse? IOW, can you mechanically move the shift lever into Reverse or any other position?

That needs to be established a priori.

oldcutlass

Check the fluid level with the engine running, add as required. It will not engage when low on fluid.

tom54tay

Yes, it shift thru all the positions.

tom54tay

I will check the fluid levels again when it get hot.

Vintage Chief

Sorry to be asking simple questions, but we're trying to arrive at the difference in what it is and what it is not doing - the reason for asking about specifics.

So, the shifter mechanism itself, you can move the shift lever mechanically from "P" (Park) into any of the other positions (Reverse & Drive) is what I now hear you are saying. OK, that's a start.
Next, when you move the shifter mechanism into Reverse from Park, the car does not move. IOW, the transmission does not engage and move the car - that is what you are stating.
To be clear, those two items I addressed are two different functions.

You can achieve nominal engine operating temperature by allowing the vehicle to idle for 15' to 20' - that will achieve operating temperature. When the engine achieves operating temperature is when you should (preferably) check the transmission fluid level - several times.

Fun71

So was there any fluid on the stick when you checked after adding that pint? If not, add more fluid until it shows on the stick.

no1oldsfan

What's the history of the torque converter?

no1oldsfan

Checking the fluid while the car is running is critical. Assume you knew that.

Koda

You can get close enough by aiming for the midpoint of the stick when cold, then add if needed later.

I poured 2 quarts in my 67 to get it to move this past weekend; it has a bad leak.