It happened again. I couldn't plung the shifter to pass the reverse lockout. It is not a problem getting the car to engage the reverse gear; I can't get that far. Kind of embarassing to have to get out of your brand new car and push it out of the parking space. Time to take it to the dealership. Anyone else having this problem?

 

Sounds like driver error, if you ask me...

 

you are pushing the stick down from the center (3-4 gate) position, and not from near the 5-6 gate, right?

this is the second car I've owned with a reverse lockout. The first was a 99 Corvette. It had an electronic solenoid that blocked out reverse after about 3mph. It was pretty odd, because you had to shift all the way right and up (next to 5th).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gregstevens:
[B]Sounds like driver error, if you ask me...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2K_CLS:
[B]you are pushing the stick down from the center (3-4 gate) position, and not from near the 5-6 gate, right?

this is the second car I've owned with a reverse lockout.

 

I know you're aware that Hondas in general have fussy reverses. At one time or another, all 5 Hondas--including this one--that I've ever owned have resisted shifting into reverse unless I either lightly let the clutch up to the friction point while pulling back into the gear, or after I first ran through the other forward gears with the clutch depressed. But you knew that.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bbsilver:
[B] Nope and nope.

 

I have had the same exact problem. I'm aware of the tricks that George mentioned, putting it partway in reverse and then letting the clutch out slightly, etc... This hasn't helped. The only thing that I have found that works is to put it into third gear first. Then it goes into reverse ok. It makes a loud clunking sound when going into third though.

 

One trick I often use is to put it in first, go forward a bit and then try reverse. Always works. Every car I've ever owned was a manual transmission and for as long as I can remember I've had to use this trick.

 

Problem fixed!

It had very little to do with the transmission. The problem was with the key that prevents you from accidentally shifting into reverse and the plunging spring. The plunger spring was deformed. When I pushed on the shifter the spring would jump over the spring seat instead of pushing the key down to the key way. This in combination with a malformed secondary shifter gate caused my problem. The reason it would work when it was cold was because when the transmission shrink, it barely pulled the shifting arm back into the position. They replace the entire assembly. Drove it hard on the way home. No problems so far.

Now for the dealership. I went to Hopkins Honda on El Camino in Mountain View. They have three mechanics that are S2000 certified. They have performed the seat belt repair multiple times. Supposedly they have done a few 2nd grinds too, but I don't have that problem.

My service manager was Rob Alvarado. Great guy. Called twice a day to inform me of the status. He even had pictures of the problem part, so he could explain the problem. Thumbs up for this dealership.

Oh, one more thing. I told them they had to warm the transmission up before the problem occured. I expected them to put lots of miles, trying regenerate the problem. They only put 10 miles on my car, just enough to diagnose the problem and verify that it was fixed. No joy rides.