My Automatic Transmission Hit Reverse At 50 MPH

Earlier this week I was out running around and some woman ran the red-light at major intersection right in front of me. I was going at least 45, probably 50. I'm a pretty cautious driver, I always try to anticipate things before they happen, and tbh, I think anyone else would have T-boned this woman.

I mean not that this matters, but she was obviously Somalian with the thing wrapped around her hair, a phone in her hand and three kids in a beat up Camry. I have no problem with anybody, and I never stereotype folks, but I gotta call it like it is... they really do suck at driving. It's the effing phone, I see it every day when I'm here. PUT DOWN THE PHONE! (Once again... probably the reason I burned out the horn connection inside my my clock-spring. When you're driving you're driving. Period. Pay attention!))
But whatever on that.

Sooo... I did have to lock it up, and it just so happens that in the process my beloved 60# pooch running-mate was doing her little thing going from the back seat to the front passenger seat at the exact (wrong) time and she went flying forward and hit the shifter. I don't know how she did it, but she sure enough knocked the damn thing into reverse. The truck concked out and there I am sitting in the middle of this big intersection looking stupid, because the light did in fact change and there I was... stalled. Fortunately the truck fired back up after the 2nd try in what seemed to be an eternity given where we were sitting, and we went on our way.

My question is... did I do any damage? Any good techs out there have an opinion? Everything seems to be fine. So far at least.

 

That dog becomes a 60 pound missile in a crash. Put a harness on it.

 

If it seems normal I wouldn't worry about it. I did the same many years ago when I was a teenager and it was fine, well other than breaking the motor mounts.

 

I think you’re fine. I doubt the computer would have actually meshed the gears in reverse. The computer knew something was wrong and killed the engine. If you actually got it in reverse at 60 your reverse gear or input gear would be gone. I think it either works perfect or a complete failure.

 

glad all is well with drivers , passengers and dog

 

Yeah I knew as soon as I posted this that was coming.
Your point is noted (thank you) and trust me, I've heard it from my sister a million times.
I guess I have a god complex as I've never had a wreck in almost 50 years of driving.

Edit.... but it really is something I think I'll do. At least a leash strapped to a seatbelt back there. She likes her freedom though... she needs to poke her nose out and check everyone out.
You are right though. And this certainly calls attention to the the fact.

Leaving the house without her is not an option lol... talk about a sad mug... complete with yelps and whining at the garage door if I even consider it. She's 12 and I have her since she was born. The truck is spotless, aside from the 18 billion dog-hairs inside that no detail man can ever get out. I did get the OEM seat covers when I bought it new though. I figure when I sell it I'll just swap out the carpet. The seats look perfect underneath.

 

Woman on the cell probably hasn't had one either.

Don't get me wrong. Cell is bad.

But distracted driving is distracted driving, regardless of the reason.

Like your St Bernard licking your face while driving. See, her eyes are closed. Bad.



Glad all are well.

 

No one has ever become poor by giving ~ Anne Frank

Good signature btw. I really like that, I've never heard it before. So true.

 

Truck is designed to turn off in this scenario. Someone already posted it. It's a fail safe. No damage will be done.

 

My work truck, although it's a Ford, has the fail safe feature of turning off in that same scenario. Your probably has that too.

 

Good deal. I knew you'd guys would know lol. All's well.
-thnx

 

I used to do that on purpose in a 69 Dart GTS 340. Fun times.

Glad everyone is ok.

 

I want a pre 1974 "Dodge Dart Swinger 340", very much, I loved them.

 

Glad you, pup and taco are safe and sound. I have a chocolate lab who sheds relentlessly, I’ve found that lent-roller sheets work wonders. I just rip off a sheet and start plugging away. Steady as she goes is the key, but you can get it all, it just takes some patience.

 

A harness is the safest for your dog. If you have a leash attached to the collar and get in an accident, your dog will have her neck broken. You can get one of these that attach to your truck’s seatbelt and will allow the dog freedom to move around.

Vastar Adjustable Pet Dog Cat Safety Leash Car Vehicle Seat Belt Harness Seatbelt, Made from Nylon Fabric

Vastar Adjustable Pet Dog Cat Safety Leads Car Vehicle Seat Belt Harness Seatbelt, Made from Nylon Fabric, Black

 

I had a '70 Duster with a 340, ran like a scalded dog.

 

This guy did it, and nothing bad happened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe4cm5cTkLc

 

I was just discussing this topic with my wife a few days back. Dogs aren't in a vehicle on a daily basis, but the new pup runs around too much, and got us thinking. I don't know if I would inherently trust a $6 harness like that. Half interested in buying one and hooking it up to a load sensor to see when it snaps. I would guess far before an actual seatbelt would. And I would fucking hope you would use a harness with that... or you're gonna end up with a dog head on your seat and a body through the window, or vice versa... Glad to see there's 0 mention of that in the listing.

 

Harness helps you and him. Mine would wander the whole truck, at one point stepped on the rear window switch while we were moving. That was the last straw.
He’s restrained in the pic, that as far forward as he can go, gotta admit, having a shotgun buddy like that is kinda fun.

 

Yup, my guy is basically on par with yours, he's just a different color. I trained him (my now wife had him before I met her) to not try to crawl on my lap while driving... I don't need 80lbs of bullshit in my lap when I'm trying to drive. So I kinda just forgot about the whole harness thing, until we just got a new pup now who wants to wander again. Should really harness these assholes down, for everyone's safety.