autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

My stick is loose in 1st and 2nd and the tranny stuck in reverse...what could have happened?

I have an '88 rx7 5 speed non-turbo. Blew out the tranny because a blown exhaust gasket on the freeway burning up the fluid. We bought a salvaged tranny from Atlanta Rx7. It was pulled, cleaned up, given new seals and a 30 day guarantee to work. Long story short, after a whole new clutch system and machine spun flywheel we had the car running smooth (besides the dreaded rmp hesitation).

But one day when I pulled up to a gas pump, took it out of 1st into neutral, and shut the car off. Pumped my gas, paid, came back out and that's when I noticed something was wrong. I had a car in front of me so I needed to back out of the space but my shifter would not move over to reverse much less try to get it into reverse. Then I began trying other gears. You can hear it sound like it's going into 1st and 2nd but the stick is extremely sloppy and moves around a lot. I cannot feel for it to go into 3rd and 4th, and it will not move over to get to 5th and reverse.

To make it worse, the car is stuck in reverse. It can be pushed forward no matter what you do with the car, stick in neutral, 1st, 2nd, clutch engaged or not, etc. However, the same goes for pushing it backwards but it will not move. If you start the car and try to drive it if 1st it will not do anything and stall, but you can drive it just like normal in reverse.

Here is a video I uploaded of what the stick is doing that I uploaded to photobucket. The starter is completely frozen so I can't start it, otherwise I would show it trying to drive.

http://s591.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=DSCN1745.mp4

We are looking at rebuilding it with a kit of syncros, etc, but what about all the parts for shifting? If anyone could supply me with where I can get good parts for the lowest prices, I hate to say it, but I'm on a budget trying to get this car back on the road asap.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

For one your shifter bushings are most likely shot.
I'd just get another set from Mazdatrix (www.mazdatrix.com) and as far as the trans is Concerned.Put up a Wanting to buy (WTB) in one of the FS sections on the forum.
Guys are selling N/A Transmissions cheap and going TII every day.

br4nd0n

iTrader: (5)

Same thing happened t me in my 98 vert, I just bought another tranny, good luck though

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

where are these located in the transmission/shifter? I replaced everything for the shifter from Black Dragon (the shifter boots inner/outer). My husband and I don't know a whole lot about transmissions.


Is this really necessary? The only reason I am looking at picking up a rebuild kit for it is because I know for sure the syncro in 1st gear is going out because sometimes going from 1st to 2nd, especially when you are getting into it a little, you can feel the gears, meaning it's less then perfectly smooth. The transmission we blew had only 30-40K miles on it and it shifted beautifully...of course until it seized and broke loose leaving us with only 4th gear.

Thanks

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

I thought about this too, but my thoughts are "what promises me another used tranny won't break too." If I pick another one up I would want to have it rebuilt or do it ourselves but why buy one to do that when I can rebuild the one I have that I know has good gears.

Just my thoughts on it. I'm on a low budget so the least I can spend the best.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Well you are gonna spend about 800 bucks to redo your Trans as opposed to say 100 bucks for a Used trans.
The shifter bushings are located under the Boot,so to speak.
Move the boot and you will see 3 10mm bolt heads sticking up holding the Shifter in.Take those 3 bolts out and pull straight up.
..BTW,use the link I gave you and you can see the Bushings that I am talking about, on the Video of a short shifter install on the Mazdatrix website.You will see the bushings.

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

I know what you are saying with the cost. But we don't want to pick up a used transmission and need to rebuild it. Our logic is to rebuild one of the two we have and maybe scavenge parts from each to make one and order the parts we need versus buying a used one on top of rebuild parts.

By the way, we have tried to take the original transmission apart to see the damage. We have a manual but it is not entirely helpful on how to disassemble. Our particular stuck location at the moment is with the extension housing.

The manual describes steps 1-7:
1. remove the cap bolt, spring and lock ball
2. remove the cover, spring and select lock spindle
3. remove the control case cover
4. shift the transmission into 1st gear
5. remove the extension housing attaching bolts
6. remove the bolt attaching the control rod end to the control rod. do not remove the control rod end.
7. turn the control rod in the direction of the arrow and remove the extension housing.

Is there a video somewhere out there that shows these steps being done? We believe we have successfully done steps 1-4

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

The car stuck in reverse. I'm researching through the forums for what this could possibly be and I few a few ideas to go one before totally thinking a rebuild is necessary at the moment. However, here is something funny that I am wondering why it is this way...

Trying to move the car I cannot push it backwards. I can put the clutch pedal in (nothing wrong with the clutch) but it doesn't matter. It will not roll backwards. The only way to move it backwards is to start the car and drive it in reverse. However, I can push it forwards but I don't have to push in the clutch, it rolls freely no matter what.

I am confused...can anyone explain this to me?

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

forget my last question. starter is completly froze up so had to push it over to it's spot to lift it and check the shift fork position under the reverse light sensor. it actually rolled backwards with the clutch pushed in. It didn't at first attempt at the gas station but I guess maybe since it was going forward when it jammed??? and maybe driving it in reverse reset everything so it rolls?? I have no idea. in any case, it rolls any direction with the clutch pedal pressed.

Another question though...is there any way to start the car bypassing the starter?? I mean, without rolling the car and popping the clutch. I don't want to do this backwards when I can't see where I'm going too well.

Thanks

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

Ok so I took the shifter apart and took a look inside for what I can see. Everything looked good from this view and seems to be operating just fine. I discovered the lower bushing to be in great shape, but my upper bushing is non-existent because we never actually had one to begin with. You learn something new every day. I put the shifter back together and if feels a lot more solid. I guess not having that upper bushing caused my shifter to come loose? In any case, I'll get it on order asap.

Next, I have it ready to put on jack stands now (not yet because it got dark on me). Tomorrow I'll hoist it up and pull that sensor out to see if that is the cause. If so, it looks like I'll be back on the road as soon as I pick up a new starter!!

SCCAIT7

Be happy to help with a rebuild if its necessary. I am in Marietta. PM me if you have any questions. Sounds like when the bushings went out you have it stuck between gears. Here is your problem - When you go to start the car - If its stuck in reverse ... when you replace the starter the car is going to be in reverse. I would not let the car hop around in reverse - Furthermore - if the starter is just stuck - Pull it out and re-install. Typically I can rebuild a starter for $155. I put all new "guts" in and true the shaft if need be. Typically I can have a starter done in 24 hours.


second possibility - It sounds like you have a clutch and/or pressure plate that has exploded ... I can't help but notice "autocross diva" ... Are you using a good clutch and pressure plate to handle the stress? I understand it feels like you have a clutch - However if the disk has exploded all your moving is the pressure plate. I have clutches and pressure plates if you need - Certainly not necessary to order from California ... The clutches and pressure plates I have available are built here in Atlanta and are less $$$.

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

I understand what you are saying. However, the original bushings were completely melted from the excessive heat the exhaust was giving off when the manifold gasket was blown. It actually melted everything rubber in that area and even my driver's license sitting in the ash tray. We replaced the rubber boots, but failed to buy new bushings. I found out the lower bushings were in the used tranny we bought so we are missing the upper bushings. These never broke since I never had them. I also checked under the shifter into the extension housing and all appears perfect. When I put it back together the sloppiness I experience was gone. I will purchase upper bushings to fix this.


the starter has been going out due to accidental damage from hydraulic fluid (first mistake replace the clutch system) and DOT 3 break fluid. I have been taping it with a wrench to break it loose and it's finally no longer effective


we burned up the clutch in effort to get the car on the Uhaul dolly to get it home from Kentucky. We actually replaced everything in the clutch system except the flywheel which we had spun.

We haven't had the chance to get this car on the track since all of this work. All new parts bought from Black dragon and the car was only used for around the town driving to make sure it was reliable before putting it through long drives and stress. Also, autocross is a lot less stressful on a car then most people realize. In reality, you won't leave a single gear that often and, if you drive correctly, you aren't forcing anything on your car or causing sudden pressures. So really unless your goofing off or buying crappy parts, autocross doesn't much break your car; although I do understand "crap" happens.

To stay on topic, aside from the starter being stuck, the car starts just like normal. Press the clutch pedal in and start the car...if you release the clutch it will go backwards with the stick in neutral. In 1st and 2nd the car will sit still and unless you apply the gas pedal equivalent to how much you release the clutch, the car will stall. I was hoping I could easily start the car without the use of the starter since I can't afford one until about the end of next month. I appreciate you offering to help rebuild it but I can buy one locally for much cheaper after the core exchange.

I hope the weather permits me to get under there and remove that reverse light sensor and check the shift fork position to see if that is my cause. It stormed all day today and we got hail. Thanks for the help and I'll keep you posted!

jjcobm

iTrader: (18)

See my signature, i have some pictures of the transmission shifter being torn down.

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

Hey that's awesome! I showed it to my husband and he gets it now. Thanks so much!

jjcobm

iTrader: (18)

No problem, hope you resolve the issue.

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

OMG guys I'm so excited! I fixed the problem today. The weather allowed me to finally get under the car and check under the reverse sensor. Sure enough that shifter fork was in the wrong position and with a good thick allen key and some finesse I slide that thing back into place and now my shifter goes smoothly into every gear!

I can't try and start the car right now though because it has a completely dead battery Tomorrow before my husband goes to work we will charge it with the other vehicle....unless I have a friend come over today I might need to fudge out a new starter but that's not an issue at all compared to a possible tranny rebuild

Here is the forum that saved me here!

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...everse+threads

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

Jumped the battery today and the car started right up. Had some issues with the starter because it took a few attempts to start the car while the battery charged up enough. After each attempt I had to tap the starter with a wrench.

New starter is ordered and will be in tomorrow.

Gotta love project cars. Next on the list is flush the radiator, new antifreeze. Then fix the dreaded rpm stall which is oddly interfering with the functionality of the radio. I have already attacked all the other grounds on the car and non of them were in bad shape so under the manifold I go

You can count on more thread topics from me! Haha

XRobber

So..
I was going to pull my engine and tranny next week.... together..
Mainly to replace the transmission that was stuck in reverse...
Well.. as a last ditch effort, I searched here for "tranny stuck in reverse"...
this thread and the others was exactly my problem.
I got down there and fixed it..
I even made a little tool

Thank you guys... my baby is still alive

3vil

iTrader: (4)

nice work repurposing that paint can opener

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

sweet, glad my thread and the others were also a big help!

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

Ok guys! What could be going on!! My transmission has gotten itself stuck in reverse AGAIN! Since I discovered the thing with the shift fork getting stuck there and removing the sensor to push it back in place, I have been driving the car with no problems. I have probably put about 300 miles on the car since I fixed it and now it has done it again.

The first time I was pulling into a gas station. I had the car in 5th, as I slowed down and pulled in I shifted to 1st to ease myself up to the pump and shut down the car, put the stick in neutral. Go to start the car and it's stuck in reverse. Okay....

Second time now, I was pulling into my driveway which goes downhill. I glide down the driveway holding the clutch pedal down, which I do EVERY time I pull into the driveway. As I parked, I pulled the stick out of 5th into neutral, pulled my foot off the clutch and the car stalled. I had that Oh **** moment everyone talks about....tested my shifter and sure enough I'm back where I was only about a month ago!!

Why is my transmission doing this! I am nervous about this happening to me when I'm much further from home then the first two times. But thank god for tow insurance!

Is a rebuild necessary at this point? I have no idea how many miles this tranny has since I bought it from Atlanta Rx7 to get me back on the road when the previous transmission blew up. (The engine has about 50-60K miles)

Thanks

jjwalker

My transmission got stuck in reverse, and would lock up if I stuck it in any other gear. Apparently, there is a spring on the reverse idler gear, that if it breaks, makes it stick in reverse.

Rebuild was necessary.

I could NOT get it out of reverse though. Since you got it fixed and now it is just stuck again, I'd put my money on a bent fork. I have read posts of others having bent 5th/R forks and the same situation happening. This also requires a rebuild.

autocross_diva

iTrader: (1)

I figured as much was necessary

We have the old tranny that blew up that we are going to take apart and experiment with since we have never rebuilt one before. Once we have a handle of what is in there and how to take it apart and put it back together we are going to attack the current tranny; and once we have the money for a rebuild kit.

Plan on new bushings, syncros, whatever comes in those kits. and just get everything taken care of while we are in there.

Any advice on where to get a good rebuild kit? It's just a standard N/A S4 tranny.

jjwalker

From Mazda. You can usually get the mazda bearing and synchro kits from any rotary shop or, of course, the mazda dealer. If I remember correctly the master rebuild kit is like 300.

Be sure to check all of the gears, and their tolerances as well.

Pattsy

iTrader: (1)

FYI
http://www.miata.net/garage/stuckreverse.html

Pat