I also had the intermittent no reverse problem on my 99 328 with the GM 5L40-E transmission. After searching all the forums and not finding anything, I decided to tear it apart. Long story short, I changed the muddy lietime fluid with fresh standard Dexron III, that helped reverse work 94% nof the time instead of the 5% it had been working. still not good enough. I then pulled the Valve body down took it all apart....and what did I find?? (by the way as I had it up on jack stands reverse wasn't going in right before disassembly)
I found a small round filter that had broken apart..okay so I kept looking and removed the reverse solenoid, still nothing...and then I saw it!! a piece of the edge o the filter had the valve stuck open!!!

I removed the chunk and the valve and spring immediatley closed! I am quite excited, I am going to the trans shop tomorrow to see i I can get a new filter...since it is the same trans as a cadillac CTS, and a few other GM makes, I am hoping they will have it.

I took some pictures and will post them soon. I hope this helps.
My trans has 136K miles on it. and again it would intermittently go into reverse...when it worked it would work well, I know others with reverse problems where it would engage but slip, this probably won't be your problem. With the valve body picture I had already removed the piece, and it is on the side of the wall.

• transmission reverse problems - wildjon323ci 2005-12-22 12:03:48 (3336 views)
  • It just happened to me - miketherobot 2006-04-26 20:37:59 (1092 views)
    • Re: It just happened to me (url) - noreversedotorg 2007-09-18 10:14:01 (348 views)
  • my guess is that your tranny will soon fail (nt) - chip h 2006-01-11 08:24:09 (1328 views)
  • Re: transmission reverse problems - beachsweetie 2006-01-10 18:31:29 (1531 views)
    • Re: transmission reverse problems - beachsweetie 2006-12-06 02:07:41 (692 views)
      • Re: transmission reverse problems - scott4991 2007-01-15 01:19:41 (657 views)
        • Re: transmission reverse problems - mike86325 2007-07-31 00:30:56 (291 views)
    • Re: transmission reverse problems - scbimmer 2006-12-06 01:44:34 (503 views)
  • Re: transmission reverse problems - nosoule46 2005-12-30 00:58:11 (1129 views)
    • Re: transmission reverse problems - kws511 2006-05-24 15:06:16 (765 views)
    • I doubt that. I've not heard of a transmission dying at - davidc 2005-12-30 01:42:02 (1127 views)
      • Re: I doubt that. I've not heard of a transmission dying at - scrh1 2005-12-30 19:31:32 (1204 views)
        • Wow, I'm glad you got it fixed. First time I've heard of that type of problem. (nt) - davidc 2005-12-30 21:42:04 (1188 views)
          • Re: Wow, I'm glad you got it fixed. First time I've heard of that type of problem. - scrh1 2005-12-30 23:07:23 (925 views)
            • Re: Wow, I'm glad you got it fixed. First time I've heard of that type of problem. (pic) - barnettworks 2006-06-15 01:09:04 (742 views)