ATF fluid level has to checked with the engine running. Low level can cause
these symptoms, (intermittent operation) and do a lot of damage, Excessively
high fluid level can also cause damage for other reasons.
Check the level carefully. Most likely you are looking at an overhaul of
some level.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Lisa Bloch
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 10:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: can't go forward

Last Sunday, at Camano Island, the van wouldn't catch after three days of
sitting unstarted.  The WetWesties got it going and it's been running
beautifully ever since.

Today I drove about four miles, turned a corner, and stopped moving.

I have reverse gear (automatic transmission), but no forward gears.  There's
a small transmission leak when the engine is running, but not apparently
when it is not. All the fluids are present in apparently proper amounts.
Maybe a bit too much transmission fluid.

AAA towed it to a friend's driveway.  Any guesses as to the problem?

Lisa Bloch
lab@rynth.org
'89 camper 2.1L automatic