No reverse, sometimes...?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
No reverse, sometimes...?
1) Yes, I've searched
2) I've been chatting with Rick@RKT56 about the issue some and he's been a great help, but I don't want to keep blowing up his inbox.
Recently, my car started to have a very difficult time going into reverse. It doesn't even seem like I can jam it in reverse with force. I am getting power to the solenoid. I replaced the reverse lockout solenoid and it still does this intermittently. For instance, If I start the car it will likely go into reverse without issue. However, if I am driving forward, then stop and try to access reverse, it just keep going into 5th.
It may be worth noting that my shifter has felt weird lately. It's difficult to explain, but it feels sloppy. From 4th --> 5th, it seems like it is a lot longer throw than it use to be. Could something just be out of adjustment around the shifter?
I'm thinking it's either that OR the angle piece that the reverse lockout solenoid screws into.
Thoughts or experiences?
2) I've been chatting with Rick@RKT56 about the issue some and he's been a great help, but I don't want to keep blowing up his inbox.
Recently, my car started to have a very difficult time going into reverse. It doesn't even seem like I can jam it in reverse with force. I am getting power to the solenoid. I replaced the reverse lockout solenoid and it still does this intermittently. For instance, If I start the car it will likely go into reverse without issue. However, if I am driving forward, then stop and try to access reverse, it just keep going into 5th.
It may be worth noting that my shifter has felt weird lately. It's difficult to explain, but it feels sloppy. From 4th --> 5th, it seems like it is a lot longer throw than it use to be. Could something just be out of adjustment around the shifter?
I'm thinking it's either that OR the angle piece that the reverse lockout solenoid screws into.
Thoughts or experiences?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
With shifting problems, the easiest and fastest thing to do is the shifter alignment. Posted lots of times here in the forum. If you still have a problem past that, then you might need a tear down. Now on the possibility of an electrical issue with the reverse solenoid, try pulling the codes and see if anything appears, otherwise a trip to a dealer or RTK, RPM or similar is needed.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
I went out to check the shifter adjustment and sure enough, it was OFF. I could only see about half of the hole through the shift rod and noticed that the hole that the shifter bushing sits in was slightly tilted.
I haven't tested it yet, but I'm hoping this fixes the issue. The transmission is pretty much on a fresh rebuild, I have a new reverse lockout solenoid, I'm getting power back there, and I'm now perfectly aligned.
I'll report back and update the thread after a few drives.
I haven't tested it yet, but I'm hoping this fixes the issue. The transmission is pretty much on a fresh rebuild, I have a new reverse lockout solenoid, I'm getting power back there, and I'm now perfectly aligned.
I'll report back and update the thread after a few drives.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Not sure if you are looking at the alignment correctly. You are supposed to push down the alignment pin into the hole so its now locked. Then you losen the shaft nut that connects the shifter to the transmission. The springs inside the trans will cause the shaft to center up on its own, then tighten the clamp nut/bolt again. Extract the pin back up into the storage position and put it together.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Not sure if you are looking at the alignment correctly. You are supposed to push down the alignment pin into the hole so its now locked. Then you losen the shaft nut that connects the shifter to the transmission. The springs inside the trans will cause the shaft to center up on its own, then tighten the clamp nut/bolt again. Extract the pin back up into the storage position and put it together.
I took the center console etc out, removed the shifter assembly carefully, and noticed that the hole that the stock pin was in at some point in time wasn't lined up. I loosened up the torx screw that clamps to the shifter rod, lined up the holes with a drill bit (makeshift pin) and tightened the torx back down. What I speak of that wasn't lining up was the small holes that the alignment pin goes through.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Well, after a drive, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. The shift pattern is back to normal and it's buttery smooth again. Reverse works like a charm : )
Glad I learned something new! Thanks
Glad I learned something new! Thanks
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: Jenkins Kentucky
Bringing this back from the dead. Would a shifter alignment cause grinding and no reverse? I just got a fresh rebuild back and reverse worked perfect for three drives. After the fourth drive, I tried to back out of garage and nothing but grinding. Acts like it wants to go into gear, and reverse lights come on but nothing
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: Jenkins Kentucky
Forward gears feel perfect. With car off, I couldn't shift it into reverse, turn key on and you could shift it into reverse and reverse lights come on. That seems to be working correctly. Everything feels good. I start the car, put the car in reverse, let out on clutch and nothing but grinding and nothing. I aligned shifter, reverse solenoid was plugged in and working correctly.
Called the guy that built the trans, he suspects something came loose on the reverse gear section. Pulled trans back out and taking it to him this week. Sucks, but oh well......
Called the guy that built the trans, he suspects something came loose on the reverse gear section. Pulled trans back out and taking it to him this week. Sucks, but oh well......
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