02, Manual, problems going into reverse

[bull1112]

This might be a stupid question, but today when I tried backing out, I couldn't shift into reverse. I could could shift into any of the other gears, but reverse felt like something was blocking. I popped off the vinyl wrapping, and looked underneath at the shifter, but I couldn't see anything (not that I'm an expert). After pushing it out, I was able to drive away like normal. I then tried parking and back out in an empty lot, and the problem seemed to gone. It hasn't been a problem the rest of the day, but I want to make sure this is a sign of a future problem (this is my first manual transmission, had it for about 3 months). Thanks for any helps or suggestions!

The car is an 02 Grand Am
Ecotech 2.2
Getrag 5-speed
and, yes, I know how to drive it, and yes, I pulled up the shifter to place it in reverse

[Knifeblade]

likely the linkage and parts that activate when you pull the reverse up on the shifter are worn, binding, gunked up or something similar. I'd ask a counterman at a parts shop to show you the diagram of the parts, that might clue you better into it.

[Knifeblade]

Oh, while yours is newer than the one I have, try to shift into neutral BEFORE pulling up the reverse knob, that may take some strain off the binding area and engage the mechanism to allow reverse gear to shift.

[97grandamld9]

its a common thing, i have the same problem, and i know other people with totaly differnt makes and models have the same thing, its just something that happenes with them. Usally i put the car into 1st move it a few inches then reverse is easy to get into, or drifting backwards alittle to get it