Car reversing in first gear!

frogmonkey · Post by **frogmonkey** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 5:57 pm

Hello all,
I'm hoping someone may be able to come up with a theory...
I own a Subaru Liberty stationwagon - early 2000. It's a manual.

My wife had an issue the other day - she was driving the car and had trouble braking. She tried to brake and the car wouldn't stop. It eventually did when she pressed down hard on the brake pedal - it seemed to almost stall, but didn't. Ok - so that sounds like the clutch wasn't fully depressed, but she is sure it was.

Today she was coming out of a parking spot. She reversed and then put the car in first gear and the car went backwards! She put it back into neutral, back into first and it reversed again. She switched off the ignition, started from scratch and it did the right thing.

Does this sound like a clutch issue? It seems to me that the gears aren't 'listening' to the gearstick or clutch (that's about the level of my technical expertise).

Does anyone know how this could occur? I would really appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

spike · Post by **spike** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:59 pm

i honestly cant see how that can work at all.
too me it sounds like you need a new gearbox and clutch

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:48 pm

Doesnt sound too good...
Reverse & 5th share same linkage.
1st & 2nd shares same linkage.
3rd & 4th shares same linkage.
Each selectors has split pins onto the linkage unless cracked/broken split pin.

Apart from reversing & 1st, are you able to change the gears from 1st to 5th?

Braking... is the level topped up? and if its in neutral are you still able to brake?

If the clutch was playing up - put it in 5th and try take off, if it slips - either needs re-tension the clutch cable or needs new clutch.

If the gearbox is playing up - you would find 2 gears "stuck" in gear ie. 1st & 4th in gears - it will bind up & grind/lock up..

Hmm... looks like you need to go for a drive and have a "listen" to the clutch & gearbox. I would say something has collapsed inside the gearbox.
Cheers
AP

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:52 pm

Problem sounds like two parts

one, is it sounds like it (the car) did not properly declutch due to a mechanical cause - try braking to a stop is manual car and not declutch probably feel the same.

for a box to select reverse when aslking for first sounds like something loose or broken in the box,

has her husband tried taking it for a drive to relieve her of any guilt of simple human mistake? I know, it takes more effort to select reverse. Those that know these boxes may be able to add some intelligence to my comments

Anyone know are these pull type clutches?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:53 pm

Problem sounds like two parts

one, is it sounds like it (the car) did not properly declutch due to a mechanical cause - try braking to a stop is manual car and not declutch probably feel the same.

for a box to select reverse when aslking for first sounds like something loose or broken in the box,

has her husband tried taking it for a drive to relieve her of any guilt of simple human mistake? I know, it takes more effort to select reverse. Those that know these boxes may be able to add some intelligence to my comments

Anyone know are these pull type clutches?

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:01 pm

steptoe wrote:
has her husband tried taking it for a drive to relieve her of any guilt of simple human mistake? I know, it takes more effort to select reverse. Those that know these boxes may be able to add some intelligence to my comments

I was about to say that - get 2nd person to test drive it - sometimes people mistaken or "forgotten" thinking driving in other car. ie. I drive a truck and reverse is opposite thinking its 1st but its reverse if your not thinking hard enough.

steptoe wrote:
Anyone know are these pull type clutches?

3rd gen Liberty are Hydraulic Clutches.
Cheers
AP

bobbyjimmy · Post by **bobbyjimmy** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 11:42 am

Hydraulic can be either push or pull type.
He has a pull type.

I'd back in a broken selector fork.

kj0 · Post by **kj0** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 1:20 pm

I know exactly what you mean StepToe, My box takes a few goes to get it into reverse. I start it in gear, try reverse, if not drop it into nuetral, depress the clutch, press clutch into first and then into reverse. some days it takes a couple of minutes of repeating to get it into reverse.

Do you hear a "clunk" when you put it into gear? or into reverse? This would indicate it "locking" into gear.

Post by **Alex** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 1:42 pm

quite often changing out the gearbox oil and putting an additive in there will help this problem significantly.

alex

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:25 pm

My first car was a SS Torana hatchback and the M21 gearbox used to go in reverse and first at the same time.. engine would just stall

Wasn't much fun when you 17 and trying to impress your date

but that's another story.

I'm thinking that the selector lever inside the forward part of the gearbox has come adrift (sorry don't have picture to show the part) but I'm 99% sure the box needs to be checked out. I would try some Castrol VMX80 gear oilin it first, I use this oil anytime I have any issues with the Subaru gearboxes and it works really well.

rubisubi · Post by **rubisubi** » Tue Jun 08, 2010 2:49 pm

Coule be the woman driver