Auto transmission wouldn't engage

[samwyse]

Hey guys,

had a bit of a scary moment the other day. Started up my 1988 2.9 auto transmission. Warmed up for a minute, slipped into reverse, waited for the tired "clunk" and backed up my 200' driveway.

BUT

When I got to the road and slip into OD...and nothing happened. Luckily my road isn't too busy. She wouldn't go into reverse, put it back in to park, back into drive, nothing.
Then I slipped it into 1st and tapped the pedal a couple times and it engaged, almost seamlessly. Shifted up into OD and she operated fine.

Hasn't happened since. Any idea what this is? I presume I have an old transmission that is dying. But how?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Check the fluid? needs to be warm and in park.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Add 1/2 quart of ATF and see if it shifts faster cold. Sounds like the typical slow leak and after the fluid warms up it expands and raises the fluid level.

 

[Transman304]

Could be the OD sprag failing. Same symptoms you are describing. Hope it is just fluid level. Let us know how it works out.