Can't shift into Reverse

**JwMonE99** · 06-17-2009, 07:14 AM

Every once in a while it gets hard to push in to reverse.
Yesterday out of god knows how many attempts it only worked twice but it took a good amount of effort and both hands.
This morning same thing, it went into my first try but it struggled.
Any idea of what this can be?

**Sweet Chops** · 06-17-2009, 07:19 AM

Try putting it into 3rd before going into reverse. Once and a while I would have issues going into reverse but since I started doing into 3rd before reverse it isn't an issue now.

Ryan

**ss~zoso~ss** · 06-17-2009, 07:28 AM

the manual recommends shifting into second gear before reverse, i do it out of habit now and it works

**JwMonE99** · 06-17-2009, 08:36 AM

Well yesterday I tried putting it in all gears before reverse and it still wouldn't work.

**Cutlass** · 06-17-2009, 04:46 PM

There is a reverse lockout system (consisting of a reverse lockout solenoid which operates a reverse lockout mechanism) that is used to prevent shifting into reverse gear when the vehicle is moving forward at a speed of 3 mph or more.

**JwMonE99** · 06-17-2009, 06:54 PM

Where is the solenoid located on the car?
Is it hard to replace?
Thanks for your help

**Wesman** · 06-17-2009, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

There is a reverse lockout system (consisting of a reverse lockout solenoid which operates a reverse lockout mechanism) that is used to prevent shifting into reverse gear when the vehicle is moving forward at a speed of 3 mph or more.

Exactly. But if you are not moving and it still won't let you into reverse, there is a chance the solenoid is sticking and not allowing you to engage reverse from a standstill. If I remember correctly, the solenoid is located on the left side of the tailshaft, on the side of where the shifter bolts up, and it faces towards the front of the car.

**preston1980** · 06-18-2009, 01:53 AM

when i first did my skip shift eleminator on my old TA, I accidently unpluged the wrong plug, I think it was the reverse lights or something that looked like the skip shift plug. Anyway, My car would not go into reverse without a fight. I figured it out pretty quick though. Do you have a 1st to fourth skip shift eliminator on your car? If so, make sure everything is pluged in correctly, those plugs all look similar. Also I unhooked my speedometer plug on a 93 TA I had, It was hard to put in reverse after that.

**Too Fast** · 06-18-2009, 02:22 AM

Does it grind when you try to put it into reverse, like the gears are spinning a little? From what you describe, it sounds like your clutch is not releasing completely. That would make it a little hard to put into first gear also, when the car is not moving. For example, if you stop, let the car idle in neutral with your foot off the clutch, then try to put it into reverse and all it does is grind, that is almost always a clutch not releasing fully for many different reasons.

**Cutlass** · 06-18-2009, 03:42 AM

Definitely a good possiblity there

**JwMonE99** · 06-18-2009, 04:34 AM

No grinding noise at all. It just feels like there is a wall and wont let me go at all.

**Wesman** · 06-18-2009, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by JwMonE99

No grinding noise at all. It just feels like there is a wall and wont let me go at all.

Sounds like the lockout then.

**Too Fast** · 06-19-2009, 05:52 AM

^^^agreed.

**fowler200070** · 06-19-2009, 12:35 PM

Hey I really want to disable my "skip shift"....can you tell me how I can do that? thanks in advance

**JwMonE99** · 06-19-2009, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by fowler200070

Hey I really want to disable my "skip shift"....can you tell me how I can do that? thanks in advance

thanks for the hijack of my thread

J/P with ya here you go:
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/96ss/skipshift.htm

**preston1980** · 06-19-2009, 10:47 PM

That link is a little overwhelming.

The easiest way to eliminate skip shift is a $20 skip shift eliminator. Its just a little pigtail plug thet you plug in under your car. I got mine here:
http://www.corvettegarage.com/catego...tte-parts.html

It says its for a C6, but, Im pretty sure this one will work on any LS1, LS2, LS3 so on.

Just in case, here is another sight I have dealt with before. http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/....php?cPath=236

Just go to the driveline section. Then electrical, its specifically for f-body cars. Im pretty sure there all the same though.

You jack your car up, locate the skip shift plug thats plugged into your transmission. Unplug it and plug in the skip shift eleminator. Then fill the empty socket with a dummy plug (also provided) then you are done. The light still comes on, but the 2nd and third gear lockout doesnt happen. You can go into any gear you want at any time. I have done this on a 97, and 99 Trans am and a 99 Corvette. It is very easy. Just make sure you dont unplug the wrong wire under there. On my Vette, I noticed the wire had writing on it that said SKIP. That made it pretty easy. Not sure if other cars have any writing on them.

**johnb** · 06-21-2009, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by JwMonE99

No grinding noise at all. It just feels like there is a wall and wont let me go at all.

Provided nothing is broken, worn, or non-functioning:

These are, I guess, what you would call a tight transmission. Try putting it in 1st gear, ease the car forward a bit, then push clutch in and try to shift into reverse. Sometimes moving the car a bit will help the gears line up better.

Best not to force it.

**JwMonE99** · 06-21-2009, 07:23 PM

For the past few days I haven't had any trouble with it, weird.

**JwMonE99** · 06-22-2009, 12:50 PM

Ok so if car sits for atleast a few hours it will go into reverse no problem.
After driving for a while it becomes a little difficult.
Still think its solenoid?

**Too Fast** · 06-23-2009, 06:23 PM

It's possible. Could be that after the solenoid gets warmed up/hot, it doesn't work as well. I've never seen it personally or heard about it on these cars, but it is an electrically operated thing that might start spazzing out when hot.