I'm having some trouble getting reverse on my '02 ZX3, (5 spd). I have a short-shifter, with the lock-out removed, that's been on for 40K +, and the clutch is fairly new. It's a stage II, with about 10K on it. The fluid level is fine, and the car shifts wonderfully. Except into reverse. When I'm parked, engine running, and I try to shift into reverse, I let the clutch out only to find that I'm in 4th. It takes a few tried, and a concerted effort to get in R. There's no grinding or any other unusual noises, vibrations, smells, stains on the window that look like the Virgin Mary, or anything like that. It feels like it's going into reverse, but it's really 4th.
Any ideas?
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Sounds like linkage issues. :-(You might be able to get in there and take a look while someone else is shifting, and see what's going on. Check it yourself first. I had this happen to me on a Peugeot and it was a small stick that had gotten lodged up there somehow. Bet a long dollar that if I hadn't found it, and taken it in to a shop that the "repair" wouldn't have been as simple or inexpensive.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
Sounds like you need to adjust your shifter cables. They're probably getting loose (stretched) so they aren't getting as much pull as they used to. You can go to the dealership, or there is a way to do it yourself (with help). Try http://www.focushacks.com maybe or maybe there's a how-to on this site?
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'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7- RB Intake, RB header. Loud, slow, fun.
This happened to me a few times when I still had the Miata. For some reason, every once-in-a-while, it just wouldn't go into reverse from park. I'm guessing the gears just weren't meshing properly or something. I found that if I just put it in first, and inched forward a little bit, it would go into reverse with no problems after that. You might want to give that a shot.
Codger wrote: Just thought of another "simple and cheap first".Since it's winter, any difference in difficulty, engine warm or cold?Nope! No diff. I haven't driven in a few days, and don't plant to until Fri or Sat. I'll take the console off & have a look at it then.
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