I have a 04 MCS and the other day I got in and tried to shift into reverse and it wouldn't go in. I was able to get it in after some trial and error. I have found that if I slap the lever to the left, like normal, then let the lever move slightly to the right while pushing forward it will go into reverse. I have to do this every time I am shifting into reverse for the first time after stopping. If I sit and play with it, some times it will go in reverse like it is supposed to. This started a few days ago. Then today on my way home, I get off the interstate and tried to shift out of 6th and it was stuck, eventually I did get it out of 6th but when I got back on the highway it wouldn't go into 5th. It will shift fine in any of the other gears, including 6th, but it will not go into 5th. I have shifted through all the gears while driving and while stopped, with the engine running and with the engine stopped. Any ideas what the problem could be?

 

I would say the clutch slave has gone bad. CK to see if you are low on fluid if all seems fine with the clutch you could drain the tranny and look for metal in the oil that would tell you the tranny has a problem.

 

Sounds like shift cable malfunction to me.

Jeremy

 

I will check but I don't think slave cylinder is the problem, and I really don't want to find metal shavings in the tranny!

Ok lastnight I went for a short drive and tried "dry shifting" (shifting without using the cluch and rev maching) I was able to shift into and out of 3rd 4th and 6th. I did't try 1st or 2nd. When dry shifting it would easely go into gear once the engine rpms matched the vehicle speed.

Is there any way to check and/or adjust those?

 

Probably not a slave.

I would also say its a cable problem. Maybe one of the retaining clips popped off and the cable isnt being secured properly.

Try just shifting with the engine off, with the clutch engaged.

 

Engine on, engine off, clutch engaged, clutch disengaged, it just will not go into 5th. All the other gears are just fine, well, accept reverse. Has anyone taken these apart? Does anyone know of an exploded view of the gearshift mechanism or transmission?

 

If you end up needing a trans call us I got one.

WAY

 

Did you ever find out the cause of this? My 05 is at the dealer as we speak for similar issue. They found metal shavings in fluid, said it could be syncros and want to replace the entire tranny

 

I haven't. I've just been driving around skipping 5th gear. I called the dealer and unfortunately they don't have any break downs on the transmission to get parts, all they can do is sell the complete unit. However he remembered ordering parts for a local auto shop that was able to give him part numbers for the internal parts. This shop is more local than the dealer (600 mi) however they are still a ways away (aprox 100 mi). I haven't had a chance to make the road trip yet. I also need to see if any closer shops would be able to do the work. Keep us posted, I would like to hear the outcome on you MINI.

 

Mini-Ized: Finally got the approval for warranty replacement. Here are the details here

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post2897041