HELP! Transmission / Clutch

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Chris D'Agnolo - 06 Mar 2008 00:20 GMT

All the sudden my car doesn't want to shift into reverse! I've had very
little problem with this in the past. An occasional; put it in first and
nudge forward, then go back into reverse ok but, I thought that was pretty
normal. It hasn't been doing it allot lately but when I got home tonight and
tried to back into my drive it pretty much refused. Several attempts failed.

Is this the beginnings of a clutch going out or a transmission problem? What
do you think?

Clutch and master cylinder were rebuilt with in the last 20k probably
(supposedly anyway. I was out of town and had to get it done in a pinch at a
dealership).

Help!
Chris
99BBB

Reply to this Message

Lanny Chambers - 06 Mar 2008 03:33 GMT

> All the sudden my car doesn't want to shift into reverse!

Does it go in if you pump the clutch pedal a few times? Check the clutch
slave cylinder for leakage. Pull the rubber boot back--it should be
clean and dry inside.

Signature

Lanny Chambers
St. Louis, MO
'94C

Reply to this Message

Chris D'Agnolo - 06 Mar 2008 05:35 GMT

I have no problem locating the clutch master cylinder (and the reservoir is
properly filled) but even after searching in the drivers footwell, all
around the mastercyclinder and everywhere else I could think of (from above
the car), I have yet to see that piece of _ _ _ _.

I read this on miata.net:

For the slave cylinder, it is located under the front-passenger part of our
miata. It can be clearly seen after the right-front wheel is removed. It is
like a door actuator thingy with rubber boot cover (similar to the shock
absorber rubber boot cover) on it.

Does this mean I should have the car up on ramps and be looking from
underneath? Can you walk me to it (verbally)? I did not have the time to get
into it tonight but would like to check it out tomorrow evening . Oh, by the
way, when I went out there after the car sitting for awhile, w/o starting
it, I was able to put the clutch in and easily shift into R and into the
other gears and back into R. Once I started the car and pumped the pedal a
couple of times, it didn't want to go into reverse again.

TIA,
Chris
99BBB

>> All the sudden my car doesn't want to shift into reverse!
>
> Does it go in if you pump the clutch pedal a few times? Check the clutch
> slave cylinder for leakage. Pull the rubber boot back--it should be
> clean and dry inside.

Reply to this Message

Lanny Chambers - 06 Mar 2008 05:44 GMT

> Does this mean I should have the car up on ramps and be looking from
> underneath? Can you walk me to it (verbally)?

If you grovel, you can see the slave cylinder by peering under the car
just behind the right front wheel. There's an arm poking out of the
bellhousing; the slave is forward of that, with a pushrod connecting
them.

> Oh, by the way, when I went out there after the car sitting for
> awhile, w/o starting it, I was able to put the clutch in and easily
> shift into R and into the other gears and back into R. Once I started
> the car and pumped the pedal a couple of times, it didn't want to go
> into reverse again.

If reverse is the only gear you can't select with the engine running, it
frankly doesn't sound much like a slave issue.

Signature

Lanny Chambers
St. Louis, MO
'94C

Reply to this Message

Chris D'Agnolo - 06 Mar 2008 23:34 GMT

Oh, I'm willing to grovel, believe me, I'm willing.
I'll get under there soon (maybe not tonight it's pretty nasty here) and see
if there's any leakage. And I'll update.

Does this sound like the beginnings of a clutch going out?

There does appear to be some adjustability to the clutch down in the
footwell area however, it doesn't seem to me that it's engaging in a funny
spot.

Chris
99BBB

>> Does this mean I should have the car up on ramps and be looking from
>> underneath? Can you walk me to it (verbally)?
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> If reverse is the only gear you can't select with the engine running, it
> frankly doesn't sound much like a slave issue.

Reply to this Message

tyrus_m - 08 Mar 2008 14:32 GMT

I had the same problem and priced the OEM parts, and then priced a garage
doing this for me. For some reason I hadn't taken the cap off of the
hydrolic master to check. When I did, there was a "stain" that made it look
like I had fluid in there. It was BONE DRY! I filled it up and after a few
pumps, I was back in buisness. May not be your problem, but I felt a LOT
better!

tj

> All the sudden my car doesn't want to shift into reverse! I've had very
> little problem with this in the past. An occasional; put it in first and
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Chris
> 99BBB

Reply to this Message

Chris D'Agnolo - 08 Mar 2008 22:01 GMT

I figured it out. Routine maintenance (neglect there of) was the culprit I
believe. Both shift boots trashed, turret oil was down and very crappy
condition. Anyway changed oil in turret and tranny and going out to test
drive now but shifts much more smoothly in the drive :-)

Ordered the 2 shift boots and the bushing that goes on the base of the
shifter shaft. Will have in a few days and install.

Thanks for you input Lanny. I did find that dang slave cylinder and verified
that it was fine (dry) so at least I learned a couple things. Mainly DON'T
NEGLECT MAINTAINENCE!

Chris
99BBB

Reply to this Message