2 handed reverse shift !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
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2 handed reverse shift !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
my '98 'vert with 26000 mi. - m6 trans - of a sudden requires both hands to slam it in reverse now ? all other gears are fine ! no noticeable problems with tranny other than this !
anyone else ever experience this and / or know what's wrong ? thanks in advance guys.
anyone else ever experience this and / or know what's wrong ? thanks in advance guys.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Sounds like your reverse lockout solenoid isn't functioning properly or is completely toast. Or you have a bind in the tranny caused by the shift linkage or synchronizer. I would guess the solenoid first. You need a special socket (GM # J 41099) although I doubt it's absolutely required.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 785
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From: Middletown PA
The way you say "all of the sudden", sounds like it didn't do this before, so you probably already know this, but...I found with mine, if I put it in 1st first, it goes into reverse a lot easier. Even if it's sitting there in 1st already, I have to take it out of 1st, put it back in 1st, then go into reverse.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SoCal Twin Turbo, Any Questions?
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
you may have broken the ring that holds the shift linkage bar in place, same thing happened to me only on the exact other side and i didnt have 2nd gear
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
It sounds like the reverse lockout solenoid has failed and the transmission is in lockout mode. To prevent getting stranded somewhere the lockout is built with a strong spring holding the lockout in place. If need be it can be forced to allow shifting into reverse.
Bill
Bill
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From: Houston, Tx Got traction?
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
If you pump your clutch does it change the force required? Having your car, on or off, does that make a difference? What does your clutch fluid look like?
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Sounds like your reverse lockout solenoid isn't functioning properly or is completely toast. Or you have a bind in the tranny caused by the shift linkage or synchronizer. I would guess the solenoid first. You need a special socket (GM # J 41099) although I doubt it's absolutely required.
Good luck getting it fixed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
I have the exact same problem... I've not had it fixed yet. It is truly a beatch to get into reverse. Almost have to SLAM the thing over with two hands. Even when I put Hurst short shifter on, it was even harder to get it to go (less leverage)
Go run Diagnostics. This is the code mine is throwing:
P0801 Reverse Inhibit Solenoid Control Circuit (M/T)
If in warranty, I would imagine it would be fixed under warranty, if not, no idea what it would cost to fix it.
Good luck... I may take mine in over the holidays and extended warranty expires in mid January.
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Go run Diagnostics. This is the code mine is throwing:
P0801 Reverse Inhibit Solenoid Control Circuit (M/T)
If in warranty, I would imagine it would be fixed under warranty, if not, no idea what it would cost to fix it.
Good luck... I may take mine in over the holidays and extended warranty expires in mid January.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
We bent the reverse solenoid connector pins by accident reinstalling a buddy's driveline once. He had a beotch of a time getting it in gear for a few days 'til he took it to a dealer where they had the tool to pull it and straighten the pins. You are overcoming the inhibitor force by pushing past but it's designed to do that. We would have fixed his but couldn't get it off with a regular deep well socket to get at the pins. Plus, we already had the drivetrain reinstalled and didn't feel like pulling it out again. You can see why you'd need the tool to get it off in the pic of another buddy's tranny. The solenoid is the piece on top with the hex body.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: DFW Texas
So, does the tranny have to be dropped down to get to it to fix?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
You can reach it without dropping the tranny, especially on a lift, but it is a bit of a contortion. My buddy got his fixed at the dealership with the tech not having to drop the drivetrain.
