There is a shift lock solenoid that needs to energize when the truck is in park or neutral to pull it's pin so you can shift it high/low. Lock/unlock is side to side, that should move no matter what. You'd remove the solenoid in the yard to check and you'll have to rotate the tc by hand probably to get the shift dog to move. The gears are engaged full time all the time.

 

I pulled the solenoid out of the top, and it still won't move....I stuck a screwdriver in the hole and pushed on the 'stepped' shaft, and although the hi/low lever moves a little, it doesn't have a definite "click" in either direction...right now, it's in the vertical position, which I'm assuming is high.
Rob

 

I was typing while you were, IH...I didn't try moving it while spinning the tc shaft...I'll give that a try next.

BTW, I bought the tc anyway, as mine is chewed up internally, and this one was only 150 bucks.
Rib

 

Good, glad you brought it home. I was worried you'd pass up a local good deal. Normally for mine to shift from high to low I have to be in Drive and moving just enough to get the lever to shift. That means the tc is moving internally. The manual says the transmission shift lever should be in neutral while coasting below 5mph or something to that effect. There are four things you can do with the tc right now. Pop the damn shift solenoid pin out because if the solenoid is toast you'll have a hell of a time getting your mitts down to it again with it installed. Just hit it hard with a punch when out and disconnected. I put mine in a vise and the pin went flying......felt great. Next is to open the CDL and get it working like new. Not hard, might help. Always good to put eyeballs on whatever you can when it's easy. There is a dog lever shaft housing on top for the high/low. Remove the bolts. Look at it. In the Rave you see a dimension for the shaft finger that moves the dog clutch. Measure it. This is a good time to loosen up the shaft however you can. Obviously you'll want to remove the inspection cover, great time to do it.

 

Sweet....thanks for all the advice, IH; I'm going to try all of that while I have it out, and let you know what it looks like (and take some pics, if needed).

I would do it this afternoon, but today is my wife's birthday, and she was gracious enough to spend all day yesterday with me in the yard (and half a day today) trying to get it out (tedious isn't the word--I felt like a contortionist under that truck, and then I split my 6-point 13mm socket, and had to go buy a new one today to finish), I figured I'd better do something reeally nice for her, so I'm taking her out for a lobster dinner.

I'm just glad I have the TC now, and didn't pass it up....I can work on it during the week at my leisure (and on a table), and see what's going on with it.

BTW, I won't be needing that solenoid to be in working condition, is that correct? If I break that pin off, it's not going to be detrimental to the operation of the TC?

Rob

 

That is absolutely correct, not detrimental. Just remember you've removed it because there is nothing stopping you from now "trying" to move it front to back (high/low) and it'll make the most harsh grinding noise you've ever heard if you continue to "try" and engage it PLUS you'll have to come to complete stop to now put the tc in back into high. Guess how I know all this. Not because I forgot but it because it was so cold out the tranny fluid actually was so thick that when I was coming to a stop the downshift threw my now extended CDL shifter forward and extended weight popped the tc right ouf of high.....LOL!!! Good thing I knew to hold in neutral, no harm no foul.

Now, onto the wife. I bet there is nothing you wouldn't do for her and I'll bet she's the type that would never ask you to do it. Likewise, there is nothing she wouldn't do for you and you'll never ask her to. So enjoy your time together, that's what it's all about......time together and everything is safe.

 

Okay IH, the weather is getting better down here, so I'm preparing to swap these TC's. But before I do, I wanted to verify which of these solenoid pins I need to remove, to tune this new TC up and keep me from having any future issues....here's a photo of the two pins:



Which one needs the "treatment", or should I do both?
Rob

 

The one on the right is the shift lock solenoid and won't allow you to shift from high to low or low to high. What you have the bolts going backwards through is just a cover for the solenoid coil. You can remove the solenoid from that cover and it's nothing more than an electric coil with a pin that slides up when engaged and remains down when not due to springs inside the coil. When the coils short they will not draw the pin up and you will not be able to engage low range at all. I removed the pin from the coil. All it took from the top of the coil was a few hits using a finish nail with hammer to drive the pin out while the coil was held in a bench vise. Pretty simple. Reinstall coil in cover and seal the assembly to the TC to prevent oil from escaping, dirt entering. Bah da bing ba da boom done.

The switch on the left (smaller switch) is the TC dash light switch. It lights whenever you lock the TC, i.e., high unlocked to high locked or from low unlocked to low locked. It extinguishes when the TC is unlocked in both cases. They do stick and a shot of spray silicone lube and working the pin in and out will clean it and keep it sliding for a long time.

 

Awesomesauce, IH!

I'll do that tomorrow, and also open the dog lever shaft housing to see what's going on inside there, too. I'll post some pics if I find anything weird.

I'll be in touch!

Thanks,
Rob

 

Got ur back bro.