Im trying to find out if the reverse gear on the caravans ('92 4spd OD specifically) is in fact manually
operated only...that no electronics are required to put/keep reverse in operation.

I believe this would be the telltale sign of a tranny problem I posted in a previous topic.

Thank you in advance.

The reverse and 2nd gear shouldn't need any electronics, if you really want to know, just unplug the solenoid pack and reverse/2nd gear should still work.

Sounds like its safe to conclude then that if all forward gears are out and reverse does not work that the problem is an internal one. (linkage operates properly)