Problem with MGW short shifter
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 7
From: Signal Hill, CA
Problem with MGW short shifter
Short shifter woes...
I'm reaching out to you for any suggestions you might offer with the problem I have with my MGW short shifter installed in my C5 Z06.
I purchased my 2002 C5 Z06 with the shift kit already installed. The seller informed me that going into reverse was a bit of a problem as the shifter tended to pop out of gear and had a slight hesitation before going into reverse with a slight "pop." Well, he was right. But the problem is much worse as the gears grind something awful about every other time I put it into reverse. Yes, the car is not moving and I have my foot planted on the brake. No deal. It still goes in with difficulty and the occasional "wracks my brain" gear grinding happens.
Can anyone offer any suggestions other than what I plan to do. That is, remove the console and remove, inspect, and reinstall the shift kit. I'd hate to go through all that trouble only to have the same problem. The shift kit was installed recently with only a few hundred miles logged since installation. Much thanks!
Steve
I'm reaching out to you for any suggestions you might offer with the problem I have with my MGW short shifter installed in my C5 Z06.
I purchased my 2002 C5 Z06 with the shift kit already installed. The seller informed me that going into reverse was a bit of a problem as the shifter tended to pop out of gear and had a slight hesitation before going into reverse with a slight "pop." Well, he was right. But the problem is much worse as the gears grind something awful about every other time I put it into reverse. Yes, the car is not moving and I have my foot planted on the brake. No deal. It still goes in with difficulty and the occasional "wracks my brain" gear grinding happens.
Can anyone offer any suggestions other than what I plan to do. That is, remove the console and remove, inspect, and reinstall the shift kit. I'd hate to go through all that trouble only to have the same problem. The shift kit was installed recently with only a few hundred miles logged since installation. Much thanks!
Steve
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 7
From: Signal Hill, CA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 7
From: Signal Hill, CA
you can try this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfsW...channel=froggy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfsW...channel=froggy
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 7
From: Signal Hill, CA
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 302
From: CSRA, SC
Every car is different so I can't really answer your question. I think the best I can get to answering is to say you might be able to get it close if you screw with it enough. If that is indeed your problem, you'll never know for sure unless you get lucky and nail it right on the head by eye.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 7
From: Signal Hill, CA
Every car is different so I can't really answer your question. I think the best I can get to answering is to say you might be able to get it close if you screw with it enough. If that is indeed your problem, you'll never know for sure unless you get lucky and nail it right on the head by eye.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 1,370
From: Orange County, CA
I've been down this rabbit hole. You can take a read of everything I did to finally fix the problems I had with reverse that sound similar to yours:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...verse-1st.html
Long story short, transmission rebuild was the cure for my Z06.
Definitely try aligning your shifter first (MGW sells the alignment tool separately for ~$20 I think) in case that's all it is. But in my experience this isn't a shifter problem.
Eh, that doesn't apply to the MGW at all, unfortunately. MGW shifters when new come with a unique alignment tool.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...verse-1st.html
Long story short, transmission rebuild was the cure for my Z06.
Definitely try aligning your shifter first (MGW sells the alignment tool separately for ~$20 I think) in case that's all it is. But in my experience this isn't a shifter problem.
you can try this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfsW...channel=froggy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfsW...channel=froggy
Last edited by MetalMan2; Aug 17, 2021 at 11:30 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,741
Likes: 1,205
From: Wisconsin
[QUOTE=Definitely try aligning your shifter first (MGW sells the alignment tool separately for ~$20 I think) in case that's all it is. But in my experience this isn't a shifter problem.
Eh, that doesn't apply to the MGW at all, unfortunately. MGW shifters when new come with a unique alignment tool.[/QUOTE]
dang i was wondering when you posted it needed a unique alignment tool.
Eh, that doesn't apply to the MGW at all, unfortunately. MGW shifters when new come with a unique alignment tool.[/QUOTE]
dang i was wondering when you posted it needed a unique alignment tool.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 1,370
From: Orange County, CA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 7
From: Signal Hill, CA
I just watched a YouTube video from MGW utilizing their install tool. Now I see what aligning the box entails. I can imagine someone not being particularly careful and getting the box screwed in not perfectly aligned. Being a perfectionist I think I can manage this without the tool. Peace fellow Vette dudes and dudettes.
Last edited by vamvaketis; Aug 17, 2021 at 12:19 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
How hard is it to put in reverse ? I have a MGW shfter in a 96 Camaro and it takes both hands to overcome the spring and put it in reverse. I want to put a MGW in my C5 but I'm hesitant that my wife will be able to drive it.
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 1,370
From: Orange County, CA
Sounds like the reverse lockout solenoid isn't working. If you have to push hard to get into reverse gate, that means you're fighting the reverse lockout solenoid. Normally when the car is on and below ~5mph, the reverse lockout solenoid should be "engaged", basically disabling the lockout so that you can get into reverse easily.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 48
Likes: 7
From: Signal Hill, CA
Sounds like the reverse lockout solenoid isn't working. If you have to push hard to get into reverse gate, that means you're fighting the reverse lockout solenoid. Normally when the car is on and below ~5mph, the reverse lockout solenoid should be "engaged", basically disabling the lockout so that you can get into reverse easily.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 1,370
From: Orange County, CA
One way to diagnose if there is an issue with the reverse lockout solenoid is to simply remove it. Accessing it is a little weird, but there's only one screw and an electrical connector to take it out.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-solenoid.html
It's possible I may be wrong about its operation, and it behaves in reverse of what I've shared.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 1,370
From: Orange County, CA
Normally at idle in neutral with clutch pedal out, the transmission's input shaft will spin up to match engine speed.
But when going into any gear with the car stationary, the input shaft speed will be forced to zero. This makes it easier to get 1st & reverse synchros engaged since they won't need to brake the input shaft (as these synchros are often the ones most worn).
