Manual Transmission Reverse problem

GM_MAN · 08-10-2004, 11:25 AM

Hello All,

I have a 2001 GrandAm SE, 4 cyl. and 5-speed manual transmission. To put the transmission in reverse there's switch you have to pull on the stick shift to get it to go into reverse. Mine for some reason quit working. I can get the car into reverse, but I have to force it, and hold the stick in reverse, otherwise it will pop out of reverse if I let go.

Also, I'm not supposed to be able to park the car and remove the key unless it's in reverse. Well, now I can remove the key if the car is not in reverse.

Anyone have any ideas? How difficult is it to work on this type of thing??

Thanks!!

GM_MAN · 08-19-2004, 07:15 PM

Ok so I took the car to the dealer and they said the problem was with the shifter, so they replaced it. This did solve the problem, however, now the shifting feels weird.

Neutral is not exactly level now. Neutral should be at exactly the same level, i.e. the stick shift should be able to move back and forth in the neutral position from the far left (1st and second gear) to the far right (5th and reverse). However, when I go over to 5th or reverse, the neutral position is slightly higher for these two gears than it is for 1st through 4th. I have to move the stick shift slightly in an upward direction in order to get it over to 5th or reverse. Does that make sense?

So the question is, does anyone know if the shifter for this car is a singular unit which just gets insalled as one component? Or does installation of the shifter require installing more than one component? If it's only one component, then perhaps my new shifter got screwed up in the manufacturing process. (Trying to determine if this problem is a result of the manufacturing of the shifter, or if it's something to do with a stupid machanic who worked on my car). HELP!!!

tenspeed · 08-19-2004, 09:29 PM

You had to dealer fix the problem and it's not working right. Go back to the dealer to get it adjusted.

zx7ninja · 08-20-2004, 09:38 AM

Hmmm....odd. I don't have that problem in my car.
That having to pull up to get into reverse in annoying sometimes, thoug. But you get used to it.

tenspeed · 08-20-2004, 09:57 AM

That's the problem is that not many have the manual transmission and few have any kind of problem with the linkage. There's little advice on how to fix one if you never had to.

08-10-2004, 11:25 AM	#1
GM_MAN GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 12 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am SE	Manual Transmission Reverse problem Hello All, I have a 2001 GrandAm SE, 4 cyl. and 5-speed manual transmission. To put the transmission in reverse there's switch you have to pull on the stick shift to get it to go into reverse. Mine for some reason quit working. I can get the car into reverse, but I have to force it, and hold the stick in reverse, otherwise it will pop out of reverse if I let go. Also, I'm not supposed to be able to park the car and remove the key unless it's in reverse. Well, now I can remove the key if the car is not in reverse. Anyone have any ideas? How difficult is it to work on this type of thing?? Thanks!!

08-19-2004, 09:29 PM	#3
tenspeed GAGT - Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Honeoye, NY Posts: 1,734 Vehicle: 02 GA 2.2L, 5 Speed	You had to dealer fix the problem and it's not working right. Go back to the dealer to get it adjusted. __________________ ~Jim~ www.TeamGI.com - Western New York Cardomain page Click here to see my auctions

08-20-2004, 09:38 AM	#4
zx7ninja Uber SQ in the works AKA: Tom Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CT Age: 45 Posts: 565 Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Sonata	Hmmm....odd. I don't have that problem in my car. That having to pull up to get into reverse in annoying sometimes, thoug. But you get used to it. __________________ 2001 SE 5-speed Borla exhaust, magnaflow high-flow cat, pacesetter header w/downpipe GT body work

08-20-2004, 09:57 AM	#5
tenspeed GAGT - Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Honeoye, NY Posts: 1,734 Vehicle: 02 GA 2.2L, 5 Speed	That's the problem is that not many have the manual transmission and few have any kind of problem with the linkage. There's little advice on how to fix one if you never had to. __________________ ~Jim~ www.TeamGI.com - Western New York Cardomain page Click here to see my auctions

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08-19-2004, 07:15 PM	#2
GM_MAN GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 12 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am SE	Ok so I took the car to the dealer and they said the problem was with the shifter, so they replaced it. This did solve the problem, however, now the shifting feels weird. Neutral is not exactly level now. Neutral should be at exactly the same level, i.e. the stick shift should be able to move back and forth in the neutral position from the far left (1st and second gear) to the far right (5th and reverse). However, when I go over to 5th or reverse, the neutral position is slightly higher for these two gears than it is for 1st through 4th. I have to move the stick shift slightly in an upward direction in order to get it over to 5th or reverse. Does that make sense? So the question is, does anyone know if the shifter for this car is a singular unit which just gets insalled as one component? Or does installation of the shifter require installing more than one component? If it's only one component, then perhaps my new shifter got screwed up in the manufacturing process. (Trying to determine if this problem is a result of the manufacturing of the shifter, or if it's something to do with a stupid machanic who worked on my car). HELP!!!