Reverse issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: LIttleton Colorado
Reverse issues
We recently purchased our first Vette, a used '01 MN6 convertible, and really like the car. However, when we first drove it we noticed that the car would not always lock into reverse and would slip out when the clutch was released. This did not happen every time, but enough that it was a nuisance. Took the car back to the dealer where we bought it and they told us there was damage to the trans/torque(?)...and that it was caused by driver abuse...which of course voided our warranty for the repair. They claimed that someone tried to shift the car into reverse while it was moving forward at speed.
I have driven sticks for over 40 years and have never made this mistake. I would think it very difficult to shift into reverse while moving forward without a lot of noise and grinding. Can someone shed some light on what might be going on here? Am I being scammed simply so the dealer can avoid taking care of this under warranty? All other gears are fine and when you do get it into reverse, it is fine also.
Help.
I have driven sticks for over 40 years and have never made this mistake. I would think it very difficult to shift into reverse while moving forward without a lot of noise and grinding. Can someone shed some light on what might be going on here? Am I being scammed simply so the dealer can avoid taking care of this under warranty? All other gears are fine and when you do get it into reverse, it is fine also.
Help.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO.
I have an03 and I know these cars have a revepse lock-out . I thiunk if some one shifted into reverse the lock-out must be malfunctioning and that is not caused by driver abuse. Before you get Gm involved you might try another dealer.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Carmel IN
I believe the MN6 is notorious for this condition. I usually shift
to neutral, let out the clutch, push back in on clutch, then shift
to reverse. I had the same problem on my C4 MN6.
'00 Coupe MN6 DBM
to neutral, let out the clutch, push back in on clutch, then shift
to reverse. I had the same problem on my C4 MN6.
'00 Coupe MN6 DBM
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,879
Likes: 3
From: Hobart, WI
There is a little know shift linkage adjustment for the rods that run aft to the trans. Your symptoms are what led me to do the adjustment proceedure which absolutely fixed mine and others.
I can email it to you if you like.
meltn@new.rr.com
I can email it to you if you like.
meltn@new.rr.com
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Forest VA
Getting my MN6 into reverse as been an occasional issue for me as well, I've learned to put it in first, roll fwd just and inch, then shift over to R. I'm curious if flushing the tranny fluid will help, I read/heard somewhere that that helps the clunkyness of the shifter feel, haven't had the time to try that yet.
MBDowney
MBDowney
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Originally Posted by see5
There is a little know shift linkage adjustment for the rods that run aft to the trans. Your symptoms are what led me to do the adjustment proceedure which absolutely fixed mine and others.
I can email it to you if you like.
meltn@new.rr.com
I can email it to you if you like.
meltn@new.rr.com
I have the same issue with my 98 MN6. It seems more predominant when backing up a slight incline. All forward gears are fine. I have found if I put a little pressure on the stick, about as much as it takes to put in gear it will stay. As far as the original thread being told it is not under warranty, bull. The transmission shop I talked to said it could be synchro, a bent shift fork which I am told is aluminuim, a spacer/washer behind reverse gear that is worn. I don't see how you can put into reverse when the car is moving above 5 mph unless the reverse lockout is not working. I was going to pull my Transmission when the weather turned bad in Okla., but if there is an adjustment it sure would save a lot of time and BS&T to a lot of folks and make transmission shops very sad. I will e-mail for procedure
thanks
DJ
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Sounds like you have a dealer service department with an attitude! How can they say that without even tearing it down. The reverse lock out gate is suppose to prevent the trans from shifting into reverse. There are procedures that they can do to check out the proper operation of thet interlock. MAKE THEM DO IT! If it is BAD, how can they blame the operator with abuse. You can over ride the gate by applying something like 20-25 pounds of force but I cant see youdoing that while driving! All it would take is one shift into reverse at 50 MPH and the gear would be pretty much toast!
If they give you no satisfaction, go to another dealer. Next,,speak with the service manager, then the dealership manager, then ask to see the distric rep!
I would NOT stop until they fix it and do it under the warrenty that you are under!!
My 2 cents..
Bill C
If they give you no satisfaction, go to another dealer. Next,,speak with the service manager, then the dealership manager, then ask to see the distric rep!
I would NOT stop until they fix it and do it under the warrenty that you are under!!
My 2 cents..
Bill C
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its 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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,251
Likes: 217
From: 2007 Nat'l Corvette Challenge 11.50 index Champ. New Jersey
Originally Posted by GOOSE JR.
I have an03 and I know these cars have a revepse lock-out . I thiunk if some one shifted into reverse the lock-out must be malfunctioning and that is not caused by driver abuse. Before you get Gm involved you might try another dealer.
I agree!
Ron