weird trans. problem -- kind of fixed itself???

[Tim Riecks 6]

Okay, here's the story.
A while back I noticed the trans was slightly slipping on upshifts under throttle. The trans was replaced just before I got the car, why I don't know. Because of this fact I was surprised to see it letting go already but considering the fact it was apparently just a replacement tranny from a non-specialized builder I figured you get what you pay for. Shortly after that I lost reverse (and low). I'm sure the attempted reverse burnout didn't help matters any there.
So for the longest time now I have driven without reverse. Really sucks having to only take certain parking spots you can get out of (like on an incline or where nobody is in front of you).
Now just recently (about two weeks ago) we had some really nice weather up here, so I decided to bring the car out. After playing for a bit I parked it in the garage at my friend's house. There it sat for a couple of days until the weather was good again. I figured I'd check the tranny fluid level even though it was a lost cause.
I started the car and let it run for about five minutes. I then went to run the trans. through all the gears. I figured even though reverse was hopeless I should still include it in the run through.
Much to my surprise when I moved the shifter into the reverse position I heard the car idle down and felt it jerk (going into gear).
I checked the fluid level and it was fine, so I backed the car out of the garage. Keep in mind that is something I haven't been able to do for a long time now--man was that NICE!!
I still don't seem to have low, but I do have reverse pretty much now. It feels rough when moving in reverse. I've also noticed that the reverse does seem to engage better now than it did even a few days ago. I noticed that if I place the shifter in reverse then neutral and then back into reverse it does engage a lot more firmly.
So, can anyone tell me what the deal is and what course of action to take?

 

[Tim Riecks 6]

Any input on what the problem could be would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MeanBuicks]

What exactly do you mean that the transmission doesn't have low? Does it pull off in 2nd gear?

 

[Tim Riecks 6]

If I put the car into L1 at a dead stop and accelerate, it will move. As soon as I let off the gas there is no drag like there should be- it's like I put the car into neutral. If I get back on the gas just a little the motor will rev as if the car was in neutral unless I rev it high enough. If I rev it high enough it will engage again and accelerate more until I let off the gas- then back to feeling like it's in neutral- no drag (or engine braking).
This is what made me think it was the low/reverse clutches after considering the information I got on this board quite a while ago. That was when reverse was a no go. Like I said though, now I pretty much have reverse again, albeit rough sometimes.
It would be nice if this was just a simple problem that I could just take the pan off and fix. That's why I'm asking all of this. I doubt I'd be that lucky, but you never know.

 

[JDSfastGN]

Ok I'm not a tranny expert at all, but does this sound like a checkball problem to anybody else? I'll let the experts answer. Good luck with the problem man.

 

[Tim Riecks 6]

Thanks. Anyone else care to take a stab at this?

 

[Nordbert]

Is your fluid red or does it look dark brown to black? If it is dark I
would pull the pan and take a look at the low/rev clutches. Do a
pressure test and post results if the fluid looks good.