Stuck in reverse! Help!

[m3/e30fanatic]

So my car was 5 speed swapped by the past owner. And lately it wouldn't let me put it into reverse. I would have to sit there and wait and mess around and put it in other gears till it worked and sometimes it wouldn't even work. Even if my car was warmed up. Anyways I was in my car today and I clutched in and went threw the gears because I was bored. The car was off during this whole process. I also put it in reverse last. Took it out put it in neutral then let go of the clutch. I then went to leave and my car looked to be in neutral so I started the car and it jerked back. Now it is stuck in reverse, looks like its in neutral and it won't go into any gear! Before it went into other gears and drove fine. I think it is some kind of a jam.

Please help. Thanks in advance!

[ak-]

Is the shifter loose and going everywhere?

[m3/e30fanatic]

Is the shifter loose and going everywhere?

No, just like it wobbles like it's suppost to in neutral, from side to side. Even when I could shift it was very smooth and didn't move around in any gear.

[ak-]

Pop your shift boot and take a look?
Thought you snapped your selector rod, but maybe you bent it or something while you were being fastnfurious while the car was off.

[MR 325]

Get under the car and look at the shift linkage.

[m3/e30fanatic]

I got the car into my garage. I'll check those two things out probably tomorrow and get back to you guys. Thanks!

[m3/e30fanatic]

So I got underneath my car and looked at my selector rod. It looks to be bent near the guibo. But I think the PO did this when he installed the short shifter so it wouldn't hit the guibo. When i grabbed the selector rod I wiggle it a little from the wholes it is sitting in. I provided in a picture. Please let me know I need to get my car up and running soon. Thanks a lot guys!

[MR 325]

That's how the selector rod is supposed to be. You didn't find anything disconnected?

[m3/e30fanatic]

That's how the selector rod is supposed to be. You didn't find anything disconnected?

nope. The selector rod just had a little bit of a wiggle in the places it stood. Can it be my slave cylinder?

[m3/e30fanatic]

Can it be the bushing of the selector rod thats messed up?

[MR 325]

If you want I can take a look for you this weekend. PM me your number.

[m3/e30fanatic]

If you want I can take a look for you this weekend. PM me your number.

I love you!

[m3/e30fanatic]

still haven't found what's wrong, also matt hasn't had time to come take a look at it. Can anyone please help?

[jlevie]

Get the car up on jackstands. Then have a helper work the gear shift while you watch the end of the selector shaft that attaches to the transmission. If that end moves the same amount to the rear for reverse, 1st, 3rd, and 5th the problem is inside the transmission. In a like manner that end will move the same amount forward for 2nd & 4th.

[bmw325csi]

Matt hasn't had time to come take a look at it.

Give the guy a minute, its barely the beginning or the weekend.