Having trouble shifting into reverse when cold
 

Hi. I live in Massachusetts. It takes a long time for my car to warm up. Even when it is all warmed up, it has a hard time shifting into reverse. I have to use two hands, and even that is a problem. Anyone else have this problem. All other gears are fine, and I do know how to shift into reverse. I think its the cold.

Thanks,

Chad

Stock shifter?

yeah. new shift knob but I was having the problem before that. I thought it might be the brake fluid but it's a light brown, I don't think it's been contaminated that much.

Not sure other than that

fyi. I recently changed the spark plugs, wires, and ignition coils. I reset the ECU and let it warm up for 20 or so minutes. Now its working fine. A little tough but much better than it was. Has anyone come across resetting the ECU in colder weather helps the situation. You can reset it by keeping the battery unplugged for a few minutes, or by pressing the brake pedal 20 times with the ignition power on. Not to mention I have a aftermarket intake so the reset of the ecu has probably helped that too. Am I right?

Thanks,

Chad

There is a lockout tab on the shifter. Sometimes you need to fiddle with the plate on top of the transmission

The ither thing to check is the bushing on the shift lever... if it gets worn sometimes it causes issues.

Usually if it will go into first OK its not the clutch

Might be time to change the tranny oil

No? The ECU doesn't control the transmission, and it will adapt to a new intake without needing a reset. It sounds like your trans fluid doesn't like the cold, which isn't unusual. What do you have in there?

I did a transmission and differential fluid change a couple weeks ago. Doesn't really help. It does shift but only when it warms up, and you have to pull it back hard.

Might be the cold. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Did you check the shifter lockout?

One thing I've tried is to loosen the plate so it moves a bit and if it goes into gear easier you can adjust the tab. It doesnt take much to mess with it. If the shifter rattles around your shifter bushing might be worn... and if its loose it wont let the shifter move the selector enough to go into gear

where is the shifter lockout?

There is a tab on the shifter and a plate on the transmission where the shifter attaches.

If you remove the trim and the shifter boot and the rubber seal you will see 3 10mm bolts.