Goes into Reverse in 2d and 4th

[Me914]

I was going along fine, and then something happened. When I shift into 2d and 4th, it goes into reverse. In other words, when I shift up into Reverse, 2d or 4th, it goes into reverse.
Any ideas?
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Me914

I was going along fine, and then something happened. When I shift into 2d and 4th, it goes into reverse. In other words, when I shift up into Reverse, 2d or 4th, it goes into reverse.
Any ideas?
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

Is this for a 914? What year?

it could be either the actual gearshifter or the linkage.

[Me914]

914. 1972 but the engine is a 1974 - 1.8. A couple of years ago, I had similar problems, and took it into a porsche mechanic who said it was the linkage and said he replaced it. My present plan is to try the Shifter Lever fix on your 914 Shifting Improvements page. This is my first excursion into this area of the car (I have rebuilt and then replaced the carbs, redone the electrical and brakes, etc.) Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[John Rogers]

Since this just started, I would say the spline joint just behind the shifter has started slipping. The front shift rod has splines that will corrode over time and the collar on the shifter assembly has a pinch bolt that can and usually does loosen from vibration. I would open the tunnel, put the car in 1st from underneath the car at the rear and have someone hold that position in back. You can then adjust and tighten the pinch bolt with the shifter in 1st gear.

It could also help to replace the shift bushings (all) if they are over 2 years old as they will start to allow slop which causes the shifter to change its adjustment.

[URY914]

Check the cone screws in the linkage there are two. One at the rear at the trany and one at the firewall. If these become loose the whole thing getts sloppy quick. Ask me how I know.....

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Is the shifting suddenly very sloppy? Or do you still have nice crisp "gates", but they are going to the wrong gears?

A sudden change to sloppy shifting usually means that something has happened to the linkage outside of the transmission. Either one of the cone-shaped set screws backed out, or (more likely) one of the bushings fell apart. Check the bushings first.

Unless the transmission and linkage have been updated, you will have a "tail shifter". Look at the article that talks about improving the shifting in a tail-shift car.

--DD