I have an 84 base with a 12A engine and 5 speed and 160K. Transmission was fine, no rattles, buzzes, or noise. I use synthetic gear lube and the clutch is reasonalby new. Was running through the gears (not hard), 1, 2nd, 3rd, would not go into 4th. Now 3rd, 4th, 5th and reverse are locked out. I have checked the service manuals and the suggestion is the transmission control. Before I pull the transmission in the morning has anyone had this problem before and can share any tips The car was running just fine before the problem.

 

I had a MX-5 friend with a similar experience. It was the apparatus that accually changes the gear inside the transmission. It was bent or broken. I dont recall as it was long ago.

 

I think it is the Spring inside.that holds the Lower ball into that Square Block,inside the Trans.The spring is used to prevent the shifter from Popping out of the Block..if it is Bent,or broken it "could" prevent Shifting into another Gear..anyhow,I sent you a PM on what to look for.It's about a Two minute Job to see if in fact it is that.

 

Thanks for the info. Your comment reinforces my thought that the shift controller in the tail of the transmission is jammed. Out comes the transmission to see what the little gremins have done.

 

I can't privately e-mail you - too few posts. Please forward any information on how to re-locate the spring - hoping I don't need to pull the tranny.

 

I just swaped in the first of my two backups as third gear locked out for me, its like the clutch worked in every gear but 3rd, when it started on mine i could still get it in gear at low rpm but over 2500rpm its like i didnt know how to shift, the spring was broken but I dont think that was my issue, there was 16500km on mine. swapped and no more problems, I dont know if you have to take it out to replace the spring but it wont be easy trying it get in there!
good luck!