Why is the reverse Gear not working

I'm not familiar with YOUR Chrysler, BUT... my brother' father-in-law had a Buick [about 1998 model] that would NOT shift into any gear UNLESS the brake pedal was FULLY DEPRESSED!!!!!

I could move the shift lever into any of the indicator positions, but the transmission would not engage if my foot was not firmly on the brake pedal while selecting a gear position!

Have a look under your car at the shift linkages to the gear box and ensure that they are still connected. If they are and they move when the shift is moved in the car, then you probably need a specialist auto transmission mechanic.

There are three posibilities for this worn linkage on the gearbox the linkage under gear lever or a broken mounting on the bracket where the lever comes up through the floor as long as you can get all gears it will be exturnal linkage fault.

are you saying this car is a A/T car, AUTO and not a stick?

say so, as both have 2,4 and reverse gears.

i think its a 5speed manual.

so the tip of the shifter is bad, remove it see plastic parts bad.

you could shift car , by moving the transmission levers and id bet it does work so that leaves. bad shift lever parts.

i bet the lever is real loose , so loose the H pattern is garbage
right> ?

Well, yes the solenoids would cause the transaxle to not function right.
Are you sure the trans is not engaging, or are the brakes locked on ?
You say it shifts fine, you mean you can move the shift lever ?

lincage rod inside the gear box will have bent it happens when to much preasure is applied commen for jamming up thow.

Hello. As you know, the transmission is one of the more sophisticated components in any auto. It takes the most transmission pressure to engage reverse, third, and fourth gear in an auto tranny. In an auto tranny, the shifter is connected to a linkage that manually shifts between the different gears in the transmission. When you shift into reverse, all transmission pressure is concentrated to engage reverse. When you shift to drive the transmission will operate normally, building pressure until it can shift into the next gear. With third, second, or first gear selected it will lock out all higher gears (Unless the TCU detects overrevving of the engine, in which case it will override gear selection and upshift to avoid engine damage). All the TCU does in a modern auto tranny is control shift points. Years and years ago, shifting was controlled by a spring attached to the gas pedal. When the gas pedal was depressed, the spring would expand. As tranny pressure grew, the spring would become compressed until it was fully compressed, engaging the next gear. The harder you stepped on the gas, the longer you went until the tranny shifted. In modern transmissions the TCU dictates shift points, and not much else. The TCU will also control when the torque converter will lock, but that's where it's duties end. The problem with engaging reverse is either a linkage issue, or a problem with the pump not building enough pressure to fully engage reverse.

Try putting the shifter in reverse, holding the brakes firmly, and giving the car gas. If the car reaches a higher RPM and suddenly slams into reverse it is the pump. The pump will only build enough pressure to engage reverse with higher RPM's. If the pump is severly damaged it won't engage at all, but if this is the case it probably won't engage third or fourth gear either at that point. If the problem is with the linkage, reverse just won't engage whatsoever, despite RPM's. I'd say start with the shift linkage. If it's bent or misadjusted it could cause reverse to not be fully engaged. The TCU doesn't control reverse at all, since there are no shift points and no need for the torque converter to lock.

If I understand you correctly, you have ALL forward gears working, but reverse doesn't?... then the problem is in the transmission itself or the linkage on the trans linkage into reverse.

theres a shift cable if its floor model,linkage for column model.

To isolate the problem as either an internal transmission problem,or external to the transmission,(shifter or cable malfunction),the shifter cables should be disconnected from the transmission.On the transmission are two levers,if you have a 5 speed trans.One is the neutral gate lever,and the other is actual gear shift lever.Manipulating the levers manually,see if the transmission will engage into Reverse gear.If the transmission engages into Reverse gear,then the problem is either in the shifter mechanism itself,or the shift cables.If the transmission will not engage into Reverse gear,then the problem is either an internal problem,or possibly a switch seized up,like the reverse gear indicator switch.At this point,i would have an assistant sit in the car,engine off,and run through all the gear selections with the shifter,while watching and looking for a cable not operating to its full stroke.Take the console apart to access the shifter mechanism and visually inspect the assembly.Disconnect the cables and operate them manually,one at a time,while an assistant watches them underhood.Visually inspect the shifter and it's mechanism for a broken,cracked,or damaged component.At this point,the problem should be identified and repaired as either cable or shifter malfunction.