transmission won't engage

[PACEARROW96]

Greetings everyone! I have a '96 Pace Arrow Vision 33 ft. MH on the infamous '95 P30/32 chassis, 454, 7.4L, 93000 mi. It has a 4L80E transmission which I believe is an Allison unit. After changing the fluid and filter I had it out last 2 weekends ago for exercise and all was well. I got ready for a trip this week end and the trans would not engage in any forward gear and went into reverse after about a 4-5 second delay. Any clues as to why it wouldn't work and what if any fix I can try without getting it towed to a shop? Are there any tranmission chains that I could expect to work on a unit of this size? The closest Chevy dealer wants more than the MH is currently valued to replace it. I recently had heart issues so I can't R&R myself.
Please respond as to where I need to look if this is not an Allison piece.
THANKS!
Jim E.

[Mr_D]

I don't think that's an Allison trans, that's a GM.

Sounds like the classic bad trans and will require a rebuild from my experience. The no go in forward and many seconds to engage reverse is a pretty sure sign of a dead trans. I could be wrong but I don't think so. Every trans I've had go out had those symptoms.

[Midniteoyl]

Whats your fluid level?

If you put it in L/1 or D and give gas, does it eventually go?

It actually sounds like a classic 'low fluid' problem...

[edgray]

JIM: Sorry for your problem. You mentioned having just changed the fluid and filter.....are you sure the fluid level is correct?

I can confirm that the 4L80-E is a four speed GM tranny, NOT Allison. Most independent tranny shops can work on it for you, if necessary. Good luck!