5 spd reverse lockout stopped working

[ShiftyCapone]

My car is a 2001 with the 5spd and 2.4L. The safety feature where you have to put the car into reverse to get the key out of the ingnition no longer works and the key can be removed with the car any every gear. Also, it has become very hard to shift the car into reverse and it does not slide right in. I have to force it and it never really gives you that positive feel that it is in reverse. So it is obvious that this safety feature is not working and allowing the car to smoothly shift into reverse. Is this a shifter thing, or a lockout silinoid thing in the tranny? Thanks in advance.

[3 DeeJay]

During the summer my shifter wouldn't let me shift into reverse and get my key out, they had to replace my shifter.. so I'd take it in and have it looked and it might need replaced..

[ShiftyCapone]

Well I took the console apart and check out the shifter. What a junky piece. So much plastic. Anyways, since it goes into the other gears so smooth I figured it was in the tranny that locked the car into gear and prevented the key from being removed. The car is still under warrenty but I thought I would try to figure it out ahead of time.

[azeniskid]

it's not all plastic like you think it is
the actual shifter is steel/aluminum whatever. That plastic shit around the shaft is just a covering for the reverse lockout.

I took out that plastic covering, and the shift knob, so I don't have any reverse lockout nonsense to worry about anymore. As well as the fact I got a schnazzy Sparco shift knob to boot.

[ShiftyCapone]

Originally posted by azeniskid
it's not all plastic like you think it is
the actual shifter is steel/aluminum whatever. That plastic shit around the shaft is just a covering for the reverse lockout.

I took out that plastic covering, and the shift knob, so I don't have any reverse lockout nonsense to worry about anymore. As well as the fact I got a schnazzy Sparco shift knob to boot.

Yea I know what you mean about the actual revesre thing and 2 seconds with my grinder could take care of that. I think this problem lies in the tranny. The whole base of this shifter is plastic. As I shift and watch it it flexes to all extreems. I am new to FWD shifters and tranny's though and how they actually work. This is my daily driver and is a far cry from how my camaros work and feel. Thanks for the imputs guys. Keep em' comming.

[92CamaroRS]

I knew that screen name looked familier!!! welcome to the GAOC. i'm 92MaroRS from TGO.

[ShiftyCapone]

Originally posted by 92CamaroRS
I knew that screen name looked familier!!! welcome to the GAOC. i'm 92MaroRS from TGO.

Yea I am a regular there. I now thirdgens like the back of my hand. This grand am is a really fun car but I have no idea about it's problem areas, or quirks.

[jason0617]

I had the same problem with mine not going into reverse quite right, and also had to get the shifter and ignition lock changed.

[ShiftyCapone]

Originally posted by jason0617
I had the same problem with mine not going into reverse quite right, and also had to get the shifter and ignition lock changed.

So what exactly did they have to change? Did you get a whole new shifter and ignition louckout thing?

[jason0617]

I have no idea. It was under warranty so I didn't ask any questions. They just said ignition lockout was replaced, as well as the shifter. They had it for three days, and gave me a very pimp Chevy Prism loaner car. :)

[ShiftyCapone]

Well I am under warrenty to so thats cool. This sounds like what the problem is. Maybe I too will receive a pimp loaner car.

[jason0617]

Maybe. Just don't be disappointed if your loaner is not as pimp as mine. Mine was even teal green.

[azeniskid]

you could also check out www.mantapart.com

they have an all steel or something shift assembly that's ball jointed and all that good mess. it's like $400 however.

I broke my shifter to pieces before. This is my second one. Can't wait till I break it so I can get the mantapart piece.