I have aquired a May 96 build TE Altera 24 valve V6. After getting a key cut and finding that it goes, I have now discovered that reverse is a no go. Seems to go foward in all selections (only moved small distance in driveway, no rego yet). Transmission fluid does appear over full (up on dipstick when cold). Any thoughts on what I can check before deciding to remove the box.

Does park work? and can you confirm that the selection position is correct (D is drive, not 3, etc)

Yes park works and D/3/2/L all work.

Yes park works and D/3/2/L all work.

yeah but can you confirm they line up correctly? EG the cluster lights show the correct gear and your engine runs in 4th at 100km/h (~2100rpm)?

Might be the selector cable?

D cluster light does not work. Inhibitor switch continuity test works for all. The selector cable moves it OK. I cant run it at 100km/h. There is a buzzing sound when the ignition is on (without the motor running) when I put it in R.

Does the car go into fourth gear at all? This would likely occur around the 80-90km/hour mark.

First take the car out on the road (after you register it of course). Then tell us what it is doing.
Same for the trans fluid level, check it hot after a run.

The "D" light globe is probably blown, it's usually the first to go. I've swapped the "P" globe in my TS to the "D" position. If no lights show I know it is in Park. lol
(I'm assuming you have globes, not LEDs in there.)

Wouldn't hurt to set up the shift cable as described in the manual while the car is unregistered.

I can't register the car until the gearbox works! I have set up the cable as per the manual.

I don't want to run an unregistered car on the road to see if it changes. Is there any other way to do this?

I believe the "buzzing" you hear in reverse is a solenoid. Perhaps it is defective? Get the noise going, and try to trace the location. I don't know where it is, if the noise is normal or not, and how hard it is to change in the gearbox. Perhaps a look through the manual might be more helpful, or another member might like to chime in here.

I can't register the car until the gearbox works! I have set up the cable as per the manual.

I don't want to run an unregistered car on the road to see if it changes. Is there any other way to do this?

Call vicroads and get a under-registered permit for a day or two. They do cost around $40 however :(

If you can afford the extra $30 or so you are better off to get a 28 day permit.

I believe the "buzzing" you hear in reverse is a solenoid. Perhaps it is defective? Get the noise going, and try to trace the location. I don't know where it is, if the noise is normal or not, and how hard it is to change in the gearbox. Perhaps a look through the manual might be more helpful, or another member might like to chime in here.

I'm fairly sure it's a normal noise. Mine does it. I guess it's the gearbox trying to engage reverse, because it is expecting the engine to be running (hence it being in the ON position)

I'm fairly sure it's a normal noise. Mine does it. I guess it's the gearbox trying to engage reverse, because it is expecting the engine to be running (hence it being in the ON position)

Good point.

It doesn't buzz for long, like a couple of seconds. It also does the same changing into D. Buzzes for a couple of seconds then stops. Sounds like that bit is normal.