Reverse only

[Walsted]

I left a business, backed out of the parking space, tried to shift to first, and it wouldn't go. The lever stayed in the area between gears, moving left to right but not forward or back. When I let off the clutch, regardless of shifter position, the car moved backward.

I'm thinking the transmission is dead. Any dissenters, suggesstions?

[sammm]

Check the slave cylinder yet?

[tailchaser]

Try this:

The gearbox has a propensity for reverse. You may sneak the gear shift out of reverse slowly or move it out of 5th sharply (giving the 5th/reverse rod the necessary velocity) and in one quick, continuous movement, position the gear shift to center neutral position. If motion is exactly correct, the internal control lever end is out of the way and momentum carries the 5-R rod into reverse even as the gear shift is heading toward neutral. The failure condition is created when the extension housing control lever is not properly located within the rod end [5] tangs and the 5-R rod [4] is in the reverse position.

Fortunately there is a field fix to get the gearbox out of reverse and back into neutral without using the shift lever. It turns out this can be done using the mounting hole for the backup light switch to gain access to the rod end [5]:

1. Support driver's side of Miata securely on two jackstands. Lay under car. Working above the gearbox from the left side, unplug two reverse light switch wires. Exercise caution when reaching around the hot exhaust pipe.

2. Remove switch with a 24 mm open end wrench. It should not be incredibly tight. Large pliers will work in a pinch (minor scoring of switch body will result). Oil will not spill out; this hole is above the oil level.

3. With a short sturdy prying tool, reach into reverse switch hole and pry reverse rod end toward back of car. A stubby 3" straight blade screwdriver is ideal. Take care to avoid damage to the threads in aluminum gearbox case.

4. Rod should click into neutral position. Metallic clicking sound might be 5-R rod dropping back into reverse position. To confirm successful repair, verify correct operation of shift lever. Repeat if necessary.

5. Replace switch to keep oil in and dirt out. Reuse copper packing if it is in good condition. Plug in wires; they have no polarity.

Some decent pictures are available here--->
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php…

[Walsted]

Thanks, tailchaser, I will try that when I get home from work, today.

[Walsted]

Thanks to a no-show rental car, I had the opportunity to try the screwdriver in the backup switch hole trick. The thing would not move. At this point, I am trying to borrow the company flatbed and pickup to take it to Artur on Saturday. Any better suggestions? (The car and I are in Marshall.)

[motorollow]

Call miatasolutions.com and have it towed there?

[POS Racing]

Call miatasolutions.com and have it towed there?

From Marshall that would be about a 200 miles tow!

[OZMDD]

Might be a broken shift fork.

[Walsted]

Might be a broken shift fork.

That is my fear, given that the transmission has over 366,000 miles on it.

On a better note, the rental showed up and the company okayed the use of their truck and trailer this weekend.

[OZMDD]

Miata tranny's are less than cheap.

[Strider]

I would still bet it's just stuck in Reverse. Seems to be a problem that happens quite a bit.

[Walsted]

Original plan fell through. A few transmissions show on car-part.com near $200. Anyone here parting out their NB and have one for the same or less?