I have a problem shifting into reverse on my corvette. I have done extensive searching, and have come to the following conclusions and have the following questions. First the symptoms;

Lately I am having trouble shifting my car into reverse. The problem is pushing the shifter over to the reverse gate through the spring. It takes a serious amount of pushing in order to get past the spring. Once past the spring, it slides nicely into the gear.

My first thought, is that the problem is with the reverse lockout solenoid.

From what I understand on the earlier C5s there is a spring with a heavy spring rate that keeps you from shifting to reverse. When the solenoid is powered, the solenoid is pushing against the spring so that you can get into reverse.

I understand this was changed in later year. Which makes perfect sense, because if the solenoid fails, it becomes very difficult to engage reverse.

I think the problem is with the solenoid because when the car is off, I have to really push to get the car into reverse, as I always have. However, once you start the car power should go to the solenoid and drive the spring back so I can shift into reverse. Then once going over 3 mph, the computer ungrounds the solenoid so that you can not shift to reverse.

I have read on here about people who have bent the shift fork or something like that.

I was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction and let me know what the problem is.

I am hoping the fix for this is as simple as change the solenoid, so I am trying to educate myself about how this works before doing anything.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Rob

 

Two things come to mind. Do the shifter alignment which is easy and fast to do..posted many times here in the forum. Also, check all of the fuses for that lockout solenoid. I don't know which fuse handles it this second, but look at all of them.