Cannot shift in reverse, locked out at idle
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 22
Likes: 8
From: Orlando fl
Cannot shift in reverse, locked out at idle
As title states, new to me 2003 Z06. 1/10 times I can get into reverse no problem, no grinding. Stop somewhere, and cant get it into reverse no matter HOW HARD I try. Ive tried the engine on/off method, shifting into different gears before attempting, lurching forward a bit then trying, nada. Farthest I can get is 5th gear, Ive never seen this happen. Its like reverse doesnt exist, I can use two hands to pull over and it just shifts into 5th. Shifter is aligned properly. Reverse lockout solenoid? Ive searched the forums with no luck.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 414
From: New Jersey
A bad reverse solinoid will do that. Usually if you press hard enough you can overcome the lockout. You cannot shift into reverse with the key off. The lockout solinoid is not that hard to replace. You can remove it and see if the car goes into reverse easily. You can also remove the connector and verify that there is 12 volts on the pins. The forum has info on how to remove and replace it, just do a search.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 529
Likes: 197
From: Columbus, MS
I agree that it sounds like the lockout solenoid. It CAN be overpowered by a lot of brute force. It sounds like you're actually grinding 5th. Can you shift into R with the car completely shut down?
The reverse lockout solenoid is located toward the top of the transmission. Try unplugging it and seeing if there's any difference. With it unplugged it should shift into R easily. Obviously be careful because now you can shift to R with the car moving forward.
The reverse lockout solenoid is located toward the top of the transmission. Try unplugging it and seeing if there's any difference. With it unplugged it should shift into R easily. Obviously be careful because now you can shift to R with the car moving forward.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Occasionally I have difficulty getting into Reverse since purchase 6 years ago. When it happens, I put into neutral and wiggle the heck out of it. It always then slides into gear.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 97
If the clutch fluid hasn't been ranger method replaced, it might be as simple as that. Or the trans fluid itself is dead, Amsoil ATD or stock might fix it. This is a very common issue with the C5 and C6 and is sometimes the solenoid too.
