Blocked Reverse Gear 5 speed
 

Just upgraded shifter cables to numeric. I did not replace the shift linkage though it looks ever so slightly bent. I also installed a short shifter while I was at it. After installing I have all 5 “forward” gears but it feels as though there is a wall blocking reverse. If I reach up to the transmission I can push the linkage with my hand so that it goes into reverse with about the same resistance as any other gear. Nothing is blocking the shifter itself either. I might try popping the cables back off and adjusting them again, but any other ideas? Could the cable be getting stuck on something somehow? I find it odd that I can reach both 5th and 2nd from within the cabin but not reverse (ie seem to have the vertical and horizontal range). I’m a bit lost on this one. I even started the car and no weird grinding noises or funny feelings while shifting -reverse is simply blocked no matter how hard I try to force it.

Update: I swapped out the shift linkage today and the problem is the same as before. I also tried getting some more (gentle) leverage on the short shifter: to no avail, so I can confirm that is not the issue. Cable seems to be actuating properly (it moves but the column going into the transmission does not). I can still get into reverse by moving the pieces on the transmission end by hand but not by cable.

First things first. How did you adjust the cables? Does the green adjustment “tool” work with the short shifter? What happens if you go back to the original shifter? Time to reduce the number of variables…

You were right, reducing the number of variables is what did the trick. One of the actuating brackets on the outside of the transmission (where the cables attach) was very slightly bent. Probably from when I was yanking the old cables off. Once it was pushed back into place and the cables were properly adjusted, reverse was reachable. The car feels great now!