2000 neon will not go into reverse

[podboy3]

i have a 2000 neon and as of the last week or two the car is not wanting to go into reverse, it did it once in a while but now it is doing it more and more.
any ideas or suggestions would be great.

thanks
dan

[podboy3]

sorry but i forgot to add it is a 5 speed and when i do try to put it in reverse it feels like a mechanical hang up. like on the older cars when the linkage would jam up.

[ToffeeMan]

Had the same problem a few months ago. There is a rubber jacket / collar that protects the opening where the shift stick enters the gearbox. Cost about 50 cents. Its probably torn, and won't let you select reverse.

[darien99]

Also check your shift bushings on the ends of the shift cable. Might be torn or missing.

[silverneonangel]

I'm having the same problem with an '00 5-speed, cannot shift into reverse. Feels like a cam is engaged locking me out of the reverse gate. Any info on the resolution of podboy3's problem?

[darien99]

First thing I would check would the the shift bushings where the cables connect to the transmission.