Can not shift into reverse gear. HELP! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bryan · 07-23-2010, 03:36 PM

I just got done installing a new MGW short throw shifter into my SS over at a friends house. I thought everything went well. I was able to shift into reverse and back out of his garage. From there I drove back to my apartment. When I tried to shift into reverse again to get lined up with my garage door I got it into reverse and started backing up but then I heard a grinding noise and immediatly put it back into neutral.

Now when I try to get it back into reverse it will not go in. Normaly I believe 5th gear is locked out when you are sitting still which allows you to pass that and go into reverse gear but now it goes into 5th. I can push the stick right past 5th but then it will not go up into reverse.

Anybody have a clue why reverse might be locked out?

motorhead · 07-23-2010, 03:39 PM

Did you happen to install a skip shift while you were doing the shifter?

If so, did you get it on the reverse lock out instead of the skip shift solenoid?

Bryan · 07-23-2010, 03:40 PM

No, just the shifter.

PoorMansCamaro · 07-23-2010, 03:41 PM

I'd take it apart and install the stock. if it's still doing it, take it to the dealer. i don't know what else there is to do...

motorhead · 07-23-2010, 03:43 PM

I would check your install and make sure you did everything correctly.

Bryan · 07-23-2010, 03:44 PM

Does anybody have any knowledge on how the reverse gear lockout works, why it would be locking it out when the car is not moving?

Caspers2SSRS · 07-23-2010, 03:46 PM

I wished I had a clue about the manual tranny so that I could help resolve your issue

...........I'm sure someone knowledgable will chime in shortly though. Good Luck on those fronts..........

I'm curious...............this friend isn't driving a FurdGT are they? If so the root of something evil and dasterly may lie there.............

ssmike · 07-23-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

Did you happen to install a skip shift while you were doing the shifter?

If so, did you get it on the reverse lock out instead of the skip shift solenoid?

Happened to me when I installed mine! Wrong connector, duh! I guess it happens a lot!

Bryan · 07-23-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caspers2SSRS

I'm curious...............this friend isn't driving a FurdGT are they? If so the root of something evil and dasterly may lie there.............

Nope, an Acura RSX.

Bryan · 07-23-2010, 04:27 PM

Just got back in from outside. I was able to get the car into reverse if I pushed really hard to the right, past 5th gear and up. I don't know if its just the stiffer spring action in the MGW short throw or do I possibly have the shifter slightly misaligned?

*SSE 4 2SS* · 07-23-2010, 04:51 PM

ny

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

Just got back in from outside. I was able to get the car into reverse if I pushed really hard to the right, past 5th gear and up. I don't know if its just the stiffer spring action in the MGW short throw or do I possibly have the shifter slightly misaligned?

If anything I would think it's the stiff springs in the MGW that are causing the problems. Mine
was really stiff when I first put it in. The lockout only engages to lock out reverse if you are moving forward and try to go into reverse. As long as there is clearance between the bottom of the shift mechanism body and the solenoids, it should be fine. If all appears ok and it still occurs, call the guys at MGW and ask them. They are easy to work with and know what they are doing.

Bryan · 07-23-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

ny

If anything I would think it's the stiff springs in the MGW that are causing the problems. Mine
was really stiff when I first put it in. The lockout only engages to lock out reverse if you are moving forward and try to go into reverse. As long as there is clearance between the bottom of the shift mechanism body and the solenoids, it should be fine. If all appears ok and it still occurs, call the guys at MGW and ask them. They are easy to work with and know what they are doing.

Thanks for the reply. When I installed the shifter I was able to put my finger in between the transmission linkage arm and the sensor. I am hoping it's just from the stiffer springs. The car shifted awesome on my way home.

Was going to take it down to the drag strip tonight to test it out but now I'm nervous about not being able to get into a gear or something at 100 mph. Am I being paranoid?

*SSE 4 2SS* · 07-23-2010, 05:14 PM

Yes no offense intended. When I first installed mine,I thought all kinds of things were wrong, but it turned out to be getting used to a high performance shifter.
Just drive it like you stole it......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

Thanks for the reply. When I installed the shifter I was able to put my finger in between the transmission linkage arm and the sensor. I am hoping it's just from the stiffer springs. The car shifted awesome on my way home.

Was going to take it down to the drag strip tonight to test it out but now I'm nervous about not being able to get into a gear or something at 100 mph. Am I being paranoid?

MiSTER · 07-23-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssmike

Happened to me when I installed mine! Wrong connector, duh! I guess it happens a lot!

LOL... yeah I'm guilty of doing the very same thing. I connected the skip shift on the reverse lockout solenoid. Reverse felt exactly like how it would feel when the ignition was off. You didn't happen to disconnect the reverse lockout solenoid when you installed your shifter did you?

07-23-2010, 03:36 PM	#1
Bryan Drives: SIM 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 279	Can not shift into reverse gear. HELP! I just got done installing a new MGW short throw shifter into my SS over at a friends house. I thought everything went well. I was able to shift into reverse and back out of his garage. From there I drove back to my apartment. When I tried to shift into reverse again to get lined up with my garage door I got it into reverse and started backing up but then I heard a grinding noise and immediatly put it back into neutral. Now when I try to get it back into reverse it will not go in. Normaly I believe 5th gear is locked out when you are sitting still which allows you to pass that and go into reverse gear but now it goes into 5th. I can push the stick right past 5th but then it will not go up into reverse. Anybody have a clue why reverse might be locked out?

07-23-2010, 03:41 PM	#4
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 57,222	I'd take it apart and install the stock. if it's still doing it, take it to the dealer. i don't know what else there is to do... __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Press Release: Shift Light for Camaro	MTI Racing Kevin	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	8	05-04-2010 12:01 PM
ALL Our Camaros are GM Prefer Pricing (old Supplier Pricing) at MacMulkin Chevrolet!	MacMulkin	Dealer Camaros for Sale	0	01-20-2010 07:40 PM
Using 6th gear?	ladysman07	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	33	08-17-2009 08:35 PM
Do you think it was right that the mustang got to use the trackpack in the comparison	perfxn	Chevy Camaro vs...	91	03-30-2009 10:44 PM
Camaro Manual Transmission	LSxcellent	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	17	08-01-2007 06:11 AM

07-23-2010, 03:39 PM	#2
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,849	Did you happen to install a skip shift while you were doing the shifter? If so, did you get it on the reverse lock out instead of the skip shift solenoid?

07-23-2010, 03:40 PM	#3
Bryan Drives: SIM 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 279	No, just the shifter.

07-23-2010, 03:43 PM	#5
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,849	I would check your install and make sure you did everything correctly.

07-23-2010, 03:44 PM	#6
Bryan Drives: SIM 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 279	Does anybody have any knowledge on how the reverse gear lockout works, why it would be locking it out when the car is not moving?

07-23-2010, 03:46 PM	#7
Caspers2SSRS Caspers2SSRS Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere north of a midlife crisis. Posts: 2,865	I wished I had a clue about the manual tranny so that I could help resolve your issue ...........I'm sure someone knowledgable will chime in shortly though. Good Luck on those fronts.......... I'm curious...............this friend isn't driving a FurdGT are they? If so the root of something evil and dasterly may lie there.............

07-23-2010, 04:27 PM	#10
Bryan Drives: SIM 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 279	Just got back in from outside. I was able to get the car into reverse if I pushed really hard to the right, past 5th gear and up. I don't know if its just the stiffer spring action in the MGW short throw or do I possibly have the shifter slightly misaligned?