5th/reverse lockout cam?

[aerostick]

I've got a mazda 5-speed overdrive trans that won't go into 5th at all and won't go all the way or stay in reverse.

It happened when I tried downshifting at 45mph from 5th to 4th and banged it two or three times into reverse before finding the right slot. A minute later when I tried to go back up to 5th it wouldn't go in at all. I can hold it partially in reverse with a light load, but if I let the clutch out all the way it will kick out.

The shop manual does not go into detail about how the 5th/reverse lockout cam is supposed to work or what position it should be in when in neutral. With the shifter out I can see that the rails are all centered properly for neutral and I can operate 1-2 and 3-4 with a screwdriver. I can get it into reverse with a screwdriver, but it won't budge in the 5th direction.

It was not difficult at all getting it into reverse or 5th before the downshifting incident.

Anybody know if this can be fixed without dropping the trans? (I hate disconnecting the hydraulic clutch!)