I just try to be careful... if someone knows of something thats possibly wrong, i'll have my dealer fix it.
Reverse lock out
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 844
Likes: 32
From: Wilmington DE
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '09
Reverse lock out
I posted this in C5 General, but not much assistance, except to check solenoid and connections mounted on tranny. Maybe some of you gear heads have heard of this:
Has anyone else experienced a NO reverse lock-out situation? The weather was great here (Wilmington, DE) so I took her out of storage for a ride.
A couple times during the cruise, I went to shift into 5th, and actually went into the reverse slot and made grinding noises like I didn't know how to drive a stick shift! So, while coasting to a stop, I put the shifter over there, and I KNOW it was over too far to the right. 
I have an '03 with no mods to engine or trans.
Thanks in advance.
Has anyone else experienced a NO reverse lock-out situation? The weather was great here (Wilmington, DE) so I took her out of storage for a ride.
A couple times during the cruise, I went to shift into 5th, and actually went into the reverse slot and made grinding noises like I didn't know how to drive a stick shift! So, while coasting to a stop, I put the shifter over there, and I KNOW it was over too far to the right. I have an '03 with no mods to engine or trans. Thanks in advance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
Likes: 9,759
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The reverse lockout is designed to be over ridden by using a lot of force. This is a fail safe in case the solenoid fails in the lockout position and the car has to be put into reverse. The lockout has a spring inside that holds it in place. When you shove hard against the lockout the spring gives way allowing you to shift into reverse.
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
If the reverse lockout is working properly, it takes A LOT of force to get it in reverse. After a clutch install, mine did not work for about 20 miles. It was extremely difficult, taking 2 hands to put it in reverse.
If yours is failing it could be the solenoid, the wires to it, or maybe the solenoid is receiving a signal that the speed is zero. If it does it all the time, have someone hook a tech 2 up to it to figure out what is going on.
If yours is failing it could be the solenoid, the wires to it, or maybe the solenoid is receiving a signal that the speed is zero. If it does it all the time, have someone hook a tech 2 up to it to figure out what is going on.
Last edited by Jeff Jeff; Jan 9, 2008 at 08:45 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Reverse
I don't have that heavy spring and when the reverse lockout isn't working ... it goes right into reverse instead of 5th gear. It is a pain the in the &**(. Then it will work OK for a while...I can't pin a certain time ..morning...driving a while...cold.. hot.. IT has a mind of its own. I had the reverse solenoid replaced...about a year ago and it still fails. I have about 70,000 miles on the car ...don't know when the clutch will need replacing...dealer stated it might be in the trans...guess I'll check it out then. Until then...stay away from 5th...
Rocket
Rocket
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
