12 replies to this topic

[Kempy2008]

I've just bought a 1994 Mini Sprite which has no 3rd, 4th or Reverse gears. I have had a very quick look at the more obvious things but can't make any headway. I've checked that the gear lever is connected correctly to the selector box under the lever, checked that the roll pins are in the rod at the gearbox end. All of this appears to be okay, however I've still got no 3rd, 4th or Reverse.

I checked through this forum and found mention of a "fence" in the selector box under the lever. I unscrewed the bottom cover of this box and there is a "fence" on the cover which appears to be okay so I'm assuming the selector box is fine.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'd really rather not have to remove the engine unless I absolutely have to...

Thanks in advance for any and all help given.

[Kempy2008]

Has anyone any ideas on this? Please!

[Guess-Works.com]

So you have 1st and 2nd ?

can you move the gearstick from neutral over the gate to the right ?

Can you select the gears, it's just nothing happens when you try and drive in them ?

[Kempy2008]

Hi, thanks for your time.

I can select 1st & second but can't select any of the other gear, the gear lever doesn't move out the neutral slot into 3rd, 4th or Reverse.

I'm not 100% sure that the gear lever is moving fully to the right of the gate, it certainly moves part way to the right (from 1st/2nd) but it's so long since I've driven a Mini I've forgotten how much movement there should be! I think that if I could select the "missing" gears it would drive.

Really grateful for any help given, thanks!

[Ethel]

You should be able to feel the stick lift over the reverse gate, that's down to the selector housing.

Does it drive in first & 2nd?

[Kempy2008]

Hi, yes it drives fine in 1st and 2nd, no problems there.

However, I'm unable to lift the gear lever over the reverse gate. When I took the cover off the bottom of the gear lever housing everything appeared to be okay (unfortunately I couldn't see up into the housing as I didn't jack the car high enough) but I will have another look this weekend.

Any other ideas?

Thanks very much indeed for all your help...

[THE STIG]

sounds like the reverse gear bush as spun out and is stopping reverse gear siiting fully home

causing the selectors to not line up meaning you can only select 1/2nd gear as on the same selector

on the later cars they used a split bush not a solid bush like on the errlier cars and the bush can work its way out the gear

only cure is to remove the box and strip it till can remove the reverse gear and push the bush back into place

[Ethel]

Would that also effect 3rd & 4th? Reverse is on the bottom of the selectors and there's the interlock spool to keep them aligned. I suppose it could jam the spool but that would leave the gate just pretty much stuck between 1 'n 2 with little sideways movement.

Remove the roll pin so you stick a screwdriver in the hole and test the selector without the gearstick in the equation.

[Guess-Works.com]

I suppose it could jam the spool but that would leave the gate just pretty much stuck between 1 'n 2 with little sideways movement.

That's exactly what happens when the reverse bush exits out the side of the gear as the Stig describes, hence my 2nd question, to which the answer was no...

Unfortunately sounds like your problem will result in the engine and gearbox being removed from the vehicle.

[Kempy2008]

Thanks all, I guess it's what I suspected but hoped wouldn't be the case!

Would you suggest rebuilding the gearbox or opting for a replacement unit?

Thanks

[bmcecosse]

That will depend on the condition of the parts once you pull it off the engine - may as well check/overhaul the engine while in there! But the idea of taking the roll pins out and trying with a screwdriver is well worth a go - just in case it is gearlever problem - although I have to say the odds are not good! Possibly you can pick up a serviceable 998 engine/box meantime and drop that in - thus getting the use of the car while you consider what to do with this lot!

[Billy]

I suppose it could jam the spool but that would leave the gate just pretty much stuck between 1 'n 2 with little sideways movement.

That's exactly what happens when the reverse bush exits out the side of the gear as the Stig describes, hence my 2nd question, to which the answer was no...

Unfortunately sounds like your problem will result in the engine and gearbox being removed from the vehicle.

sorry to hijack but my gears went funny like this a few weeks ago
except I could fight with it and get it into gear easier than getting it out of 3rd,4th or reverse back over to 1st
but it suddenly fixed itself when I drove it onto the ramp at work to check the linkages
whats the chances of me forceing the bush back in while driveing ? very slim I rekon but its perfect now and I have done nothing

[mintom]

Mr Stig and guessworks get my vote on this.
I had exactly this problem at about 30000 miles. gradually over a short period of time, it got harder to select 3 & 4th, until I could only get as far as second gear.
I've just dug out a receipt of the time, and in terms of parts, all that was required was a reverse gear bush. Had a new clutch fitted at the time, always easier to do with the engine out, and of course new engine mounts.