Help!! Problems Engaging in Reverse
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Help!! Problems Engaging in Reverse
2005 Z51 6 speed.
Problem
on flat surfaces or slight decline it is a serious chore to get in reverse and sometimes takes 50 tries. When parked on an incline or with someone pushing me back 6 inches it goes right in reverse no problems on the first try. No grinding while in reverse.
Replaced reverse lockout solenoid but no improvement. On flat surface or decline i try to put in 1st to 2nd then reverse also try 3rd to reverse 5th to reverse. i have tried all the different gates then reverse. it is all the same i just keep trying to move throughout all the gears i play with the clutch a little and it takes 30 to 50 attempts b4 engaging in reverse. when it does engage it slides right in and does not grind.
Being an 05 i have to put in reverse to shut down. If i push over hard enough it will think its in reverse and finish shutting down even though it is not engaged
PLEASE HELP
Problem
on flat surfaces or slight decline it is a serious chore to get in reverse and sometimes takes 50 tries. When parked on an incline or with someone pushing me back 6 inches it goes right in reverse no problems on the first try. No grinding while in reverse.
Replaced reverse lockout solenoid but no improvement. On flat surface or decline i try to put in 1st to 2nd then reverse also try 3rd to reverse 5th to reverse. i have tried all the different gates then reverse. it is all the same i just keep trying to move throughout all the gears i play with the clutch a little and it takes 30 to 50 attempts b4 engaging in reverse. when it does engage it slides right in and does not grind.
Being an 05 i have to put in reverse to shut down. If i push over hard enough it will think its in reverse and finish shutting down even though it is not engaged
PLEASE HELP
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 314
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore Md
I have an 05 also and noticed that reverse is sometimes difficult. My problems are minimal since I replace my shifter box (stayed w/stock shifter).
What has helped me is let the car drift a little as your putting in gear. Just wondering if that would help on your situation.
What has helped me is let the car drift a little as your putting in gear. Just wondering if that would help on your situation.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
did you have the same problems as me? also when you say drift do you mean rolling in reverse? if so when rolling in reverse even a couple inches lets me engage in reverse 1st try no problem. but that can be a little tough to find a hill or a little helper to push me backwards.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 90
From: San Diego CA
Look at the shifter box. The O ring seals on the shifter rod as well as the box mount bushings usually deteriorate with heat and use after about 35K miles. If you haven't replaced the box since 05 you probably need to. With those bushings shot, the box can move around and the shift rod can do the same, resulting in difficulty getting in gear. A new box is only about $150 and an easy DIY replacement.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 314
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore Md
did you have the same problems as me? also when you say drift do you mean rolling in reverse? if so when rolling in reverse even a couple inches lets me engage in reverse 1st try no problem. but that can be a little tough to find a hill or a little helper to push me backwards.
Agree with prior post that shifter box may fix your problem. The linkage bushing in my shifter box was toast ~30k miles. My shifter box replacement definitely improved my shifts to reverse.
Good decision to change even if it doesn't fix 100%.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
when shifter boxes go out you lose use of reverse? also i purchased the car 1 mo ago and the problem seems to be getting worse every day. also its weird sometimes it will go into reverse 1st try. for instance today i parked shut off car tried reverse 20-30 times with no luck come out of the gas station and my girlfriend had it in reverse from the passenger side 1st try with no clutch
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,023
Likes: 266
From: San Jose California
I agree with SUB VETTE. Shifter box wear can cause problems with gear engagement. So can a slipping connection between the shifter box shaft and the shaft going back to the transmission. It's a friction connection that can come loose or be forced out of proper alignment by a hard, bad shift. The shifter box and its associated (potential) issues would certainly be my starting point for the cure since (a) it probably needs it anyway, (b) it's relatively inexpensive, and (c) the next item on the checklist is probably synchros (see 'b') 
Z//
Z//
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 314
Likes: 3
From: Baltimore Md
Do a search on "MGW shifter installation" and you'll see a good description of the bushings in question. They also have an excellent video on their website describing the entire install.
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