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Wont Go Into Reverse

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RickTM

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I previously reported that I drove my A for the first time seven years after purchase. Latest problem is I cannot get trans into reverse. Other gears OK. Obviously it has set along time. Any suggestions?
 
Only while running or not at all?? Does the shifter move and it grind?? Any details about the situation would help narrow down possible faults.
 
My MGB sat for a long time and had this problem. I removed the round steel plate that retains the shift lever and liberally poured kerosene down in that area. Some of it may have made its way into the trans, which was OK since I changed the trans oil after this. I kept gently "working it" back and forth and eventually, it loosened up (and has worked fine ever since). I suppose that if this doesn't work, it may have a bent shifter fork.
 
Shifter wont go into reverse with or without engine running. Do you have to push down on the shifter like some manuals? I will try the kerosene soak. Does the shift handle need to be removed to get access?
 
I just left the shifter in place and tried to flood it with kero as best as I could. I was pretty gentle with it (didn't want to bend anything). I think I was "working" it back and forth for at least 20 minutes before it was OK.

EDIT-No, you don't have to push down....just pull over to the left of 2nd gear.
 
There is probably a spring loaded plunger somewhere in the system. This keeps the shifter from going into reverse while downshifting into 2nd. See if you can find a part like that in a book and then hunt it down on the trans. Good luck! Bob
 
Rick, When you try to shift into reverse, do you feel a spring pressure, or does it feel solid? The shifter has to move over to get into the shifter dog for reverse and to do this it pushes against a spring loaded pin. This pin is to prevent shifting into reverse accidentally. The pin could be frozen due to rust or whatever. Now, if you can feel the spring pushing the lever back, the shifter fork might have slipped on the reverse selector shaft. In any case, the top cover should be removed to check the problem. If you had a workshop manual, it would give you a break down of the transmission and it's workings. Moss and other suppliers sell them. PJ
 
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