Reverse locked out

Firestar [OP] · 01-20-2013, 08:46 PM

I have a 2008 with 48k. I put 10k trouble free miles on it and all of a sudden I can not put it in reverse. The shifter will just not go. No previous warning. No grinding. Everything was perfect and all of a sudden no moving the shifter to reverse. Reverse is totally locked out. I try to hit reverse and the shifter only moves maybe halve way the there. It is like locked out. What's up? I'm shocked. Never ever has this ever happened with any vehicle in my 40 years of owning manual trans cars.Absolutely no previous warning . No grinding., no way of just putting it in reverse.
HELP!

Firestar [OP] · 01-20-2013, 09:07 PM

Sorry I did not mention it is a manual from the start of my post.

timbo2 · 01-20-2013, 11:08 PM

May be a linkage bind. Have someone try to put it thru the gears while you're under the truck and see if you can see any linkage binding up. It may be a simple fix!

Firestar [OP] · 01-21-2013, 04:52 AM

So this trans linkage is external?

Is the linkage binding up a common problem?

***mikey*** · 01-21-2013, 05:23 AM

No external linkage.

**CowboyCEO** · 01-21-2013, 05:24 AM

Maybe something (penny, lighter, pen) is in the left side of the shifter boot not allowing full travel. I have had stuff like that happen before.

Firestar [OP] · 01-21-2013, 05:34 AM

Quote:

CowboyCEO previously said:

Maybe something (penny, lighter, pen) is in the left side of the shifter boot not allowing full travel. I have had stuff like that happen before.

Well, I'm going to give that a quick look right now.
I looked at the PDF manual and it looks like the linkage is internal so if nothing is blocking it by the boot I guess I'll have to take it in for service.

Firestar [OP] · 01-21-2013, 05:44 AM

Nothing blocking anything by the boot. I guess it's going to have to go to the shop. Arrggg!

iwashmycar · 01-21-2013, 07:31 AM

Is there a Neutral Safety Switch on these? In other manual vehicles it usually only affects the reverse lights, but I did not know if there is more of a safety mechanism that may be part of the FJs...

EDIT: nevermind... that sounds like it has more to do with simply starting...not shifting..

**Romag** · 01-21-2013, 09:46 AM

You can pull the center console cover off with your hands, no tools, at least on mine. It's not bolted down. Just unscrew the shift knobs (lefty loosy). Unsnap the little emergency brake cover that is in front of the emergency brake (front part first). Then pull up on the upper center console cover. Then you should be able to see if anything is binding weird.

Mine is an 07 auto, but I can't imagine the process being too different.