'81 Camaro reverse problem

Hello!! I just purchased a camaro a few days ago, and it will not go into reverse. The previous owner said that it used to, but no longer does. He bought a part that goes on the top of the steering columb, at the suggestion of a "mechanic". So I installed that, and obviously, it had nothing to do with "reverse". Are there any suggestions on what to do or check? It is an automatic, but park,neutral, and drive all work fine. It also shifts gears wonderfully.  
I have a 61 Chevy Apache 10, and a 1981 Camaro... what about you?

Did you check the fluid level.  
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several things to check....  i have had simular complaints about no reverse... it was there except the detent cam on the shift shaft that is retained by a nut inside the case comes loose...  this causes all kinds of havock.... not wanting to go into drive or reverse...  can you feel the detent roller go through all the dents in the detent cam....

it could just be a bad transmission also.......no transmission lasts forever...  

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.

Secondly, Checking the fluid was the first thing that I did. It actually has a little too much fluid. The fluid looks nice and clean though, like it is brand new. Which makes me wonder... how, if it is 27 years old. And why is there a transmission oil pan gasket in the trunk with the spare parts? ohh well, I believe the previous owner knew there was a problem, and didnt want to fix it.

Thirdly... You ask if I can feel the detent roller go through all... what is that and how do I do it? I have only a beginner understanding of the internals of a transmission. And I have considered it being bad. If it is, do I get it rebuilt, or would it be better to get a new one? Also, I would love to convert the car to a manual, is that possible without buying a new transmission? And can you buy a kit that includes the pedal and rods to do it?

Thank you again!!!!

William  
I have a 61 Chevy Apache 10, and a 1981 Camaro... what about you?

thanks for your help forever ago. Just fyi. it was the rear detents cam, it was completely stripped! I had the tranny rebuilt in march 08.  
I have a 61 Chevy Apache 10, and a 1981 Camaro... what about you?

Sounds to me like the last owner took the valve body out and didn't know how to put it back in. I think that the valve body is missing a check ball. You did say that there spare parts. Get a blown up diagram of the trans or take it t a trans shop.


good luck  

The part on top of the steering column is the neutral safety switch. That just keeps the engine from starting when it's in gear. You don't want the car to lurch forward or back if you have it in gear when you start it up.
There are a lot of bad transmission shops out there - most of them the big names we all know. I had two bad experiences where the car wouldn't even shift into gear after they installed a re-built tranny and I went to pick it up. The second resulted in a lot of metal filings in the tranny pan. Overfilling the tranny will cause the rear main seals to start leaking among other more serioua problems. The other concern is that they used the correct tranny fluid when they re-filled it.
If you have the bucks I'd get a performance tranny from TCI or Hughes and have a performance shop install it for you if you don't know how or don't have the shop equipment. Stock rebuilds don't last very long from my experience. Especially if you don't take it easy on them like a little old lady    

does first gear work?