No 5th or Reverse, 97 gt. Manual tranny issues Options

[silvercap86]

Hi, I was driving from Arizona to Kentucky and lost 5th gear and reverse when I hit Oklahoma. So I had to drive the rest of the way in 4th lol! When trying to shift into either gear, it feels as if there was never a gear even there feels like I am just dropping it into neutral. I pulled the console and everything is moving properly from there. Manual 2.2 by the way. I then pulled my air intake to take a look at my shift cables to see if one of the plastic fittings had broken, but those seem to function properly also.

Any ideas?

[BonzaiCelica]

the only thing i can say is once i lost 2nd 4th and Reverse due to the fact that the cable closest to the right of the car when it attaches to the shifter box was completely non operable.

[Smaay]

the exact same thing happened to Amy's car. I happen to have another 5 speed so i just swapped them. I havent looked into what happened. It was not cable or linkage related.

[lilmancelica94]

I'm looking to buy a '99 GT with the same issue. Anybody find out what the issue might be? May determine if it's worth the trouble.

[Box]

5th and reverse are together on the same shaft. There are a series of balls, springs, detents, and levers responsible for everything working. I'd imagine it's something like this responsible since it's both 5th and reverse. I wouldn't buy a car like this unless I was prepared to repair or replace the transmission. Yes it could be something simple like a cable or linkage, but I really wouldn't hold my breath on that. Odds are it's something like a ball and spring that sit on the detent, these are accessed from the outside of the transmission and someone trying to drain the transmission without knowing what they're looking for may accidentally remove one of these instead of the drain and fill plug. Which they're drastically different in size, but you'd be surprised.

This post has been edited by Box: Aug 20, 2014 - 9:34 PM

[lilmancelica94]

5th and reverse are together on the same shaft. There are a series of balls, springs, detents, and levers responsible for everything working. I'd imagine it's something like this responsible since it's both 5th and reverse. I wouldn't buy a car like this unless I was prepared to repair or replace the transmission. Yes it could be something simple like a cable or linkage, but I really wouldn't hold my breath on that. Odds are it's something like a ball and spring that sit on the detent, these are accessed from the outside of the transmission and someone trying to drain the transmission without knowing what they're looking for may accidentally remove one of these instead of the drain and fill plug. Which they're drastically different in size, but you'd be surprised.

Thanks for the info Box. Sounds like either the transmission would most likely need to be rebuilt or replaced. Of course the person selling the car I'm looking at had the clutch replaced recently, which leads me to believe that the shop that did it possibly screwed something up. Would it be better to have the trans rebuilt or just replace it?

[sandusky1977]

if it's this car CL Listing 99 GT I'd buy it if it was 1000-1200,. as I've got an extra transmission, but I would plan on replacing it or having it rebuilt.

There are several nice cars in and around your area,. I used clrds.com to find them,..
* Just realized this is a Beams Swap,. BUY THIS CAR -- 94 - $1800 - New motor with 10k miles., needs an exhaust manifold but it's a Beams Red Top Swap

- Here is a 97 with the exact same trans problem if you're looking for a trans project,. 130k $1500 http://eastky.craigslist.org/cto/4589294598.html looks like it's a members ride
- Nice 99 for $1000 that runs and drives, but is an auto and needs passenger fender and possibly door http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/4599596305.html
- Clean 94 - $1600 http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4628014968.html
- I've been watching the price go down on this one,. needs a fender and tail light but runs and drives for $600,. http://muncie.craigslist.org/cto/4603513580.html

[lilmancelica94]

That would be the car I'm looking at. I just figured that it would be pretty cheap and easy to fix the trans issue and have a nice running daily so I can park my fun car. I used to own a '94 and miss having a Celica. Great cars to drive and last forever. I may see if I can talk him down since the car may need a new transmission or rebuild.

[mgnt232]

I had the exact same problem. Without a good transmission linkage to look at it's kind of hard to explain.
Essentially there is a small metal block (or plastic if it's new) that goes between the linkages, close to the trans. Without it, the linkage will not engage properly to 5th or reverse. I will try to get a diagram here shortly.

EDIT- A lot of the sites I'm trying to look at diagrams on are blocked. find a diagram of the shift linkage and there will be a small block that connects the two, or just post the diagram here and I can point it out. I will say getting this stupid little block on is a bit more work than you would expect lol

This post has been edited by mgnt232: Aug 21, 2014 - 12:28 PM

[Box]

It's worth rebuilding as it's probably something simple, it just isn't exactly simple to get to or put back to where it's right.

[lilmancelica94]

Found out that the 5th/reverse shaft is shot and the transmission will either need a rebuild or replacement.

[Lamont]

I'm swapping out my 5SFE from my 94 GT 114K on the transmission. Pay $50 plus shipping and it's yours. I'll even throw in the axles which have less than 200 miles on them for another $50. Long story, but my timing belt broke and the mechanic did a piss poor job on my timing belt so my motor popped one week after the timing belt was changed with brand new axles. Let me know if your interested.

Thank you
Lamont

[Box]

Yeah, I'd pass at that point. Unless you could talk them down considerably and could get a transmission easily enough.

This post has been edited by Box: Aug 21, 2014 - 2:57 PM

[mkernz22]

I'm swapping out my 5SFE from my 94 GT 114K on the transmission. Pay $50 plus shipping and it's yours. I'll even throw in the axles which have less than 200 miles on them for another $50. Long story, but my timing belt broke and the mechanic did a piss poor job on my timing belt so my motor popped one week after the timing belt was changed with brand new axles. Let me know if your interested.

Thank you
Lamont

But if you're swapping it, you're going to need the transmission and axles....
If you get a redtop beams, then you don't need the transmission, but you still need the axles.

[Lamont]

I'm swapping out my 5SFE from my 94 GT 114K on the transmission. Pay $50 plus shipping and it's yours. I'll even throw in the axles which have less than 200 miles on them for another $50. Long story, but my timing belt broke and the mechanic did a piss poor job on my timing belt so my motor popped one week after the timing belt was changed with brand new axles. Let me know if your interested.

Thank you
Lamont

But if you're swapping it, you're going to need the transmission and axles....
If you get a redtop beams, then you don't need the transmission, but you still need the axles.

I'm doing a 1MZ FE V6 swap and I'm using an E153 LSD transmission with MR2 Turbo inner and ST185 Alltrac outer axles.