Difficulty engaging reverse cold or warm

[ViperGTS14]

This is strange to even mention but its been happening more often to the point its now doing it all the time. Not sure what reverse is also connected to or associated with gear wise to cause this. Attempted to do some searching but not coming up with anything.

Only description of the condition I can share would that the shiftier needs to be pushed extremely hard to get into gear. No grinding or anything, as if the clutch isn't releasing all the way, but the rest of the gears engagement is fine. When you start to push in the car starts to move a little, this is with out being in gear and with clutch to the floor. Any suggestions are welcome.

[camarochevy1970]

what if you put it in 6th first and then move to reverse

[ViperGTS14]

Haven't tried this, but will. I know if I go into first and move it it does help. Wondering if there is something wrong with clutch / trans or I can find a trick to it.

[ViperGTS14]

found this. https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...l=1#post144087

[swexlin]

I've never had to put it in any other gear first before going into reverse. Something seems not quite right.

[ViperGTS14]

I've never had to put it in any other gear first before going into reverse. Something seems not quite right.

Agree and reading that other forum I'm not alone but that doesn't help yet lol

[camarochevy1970]

I used to have to do that to t56 and tko trans cars occasionally, and in some getrag based cars as well. Not sure why it helps, but sometimes it does. I thought it had something to do with reverse not being synchronized. And because of that, it has actually become second nature to me, on the way to reverse, I hit a forward gear then it goes into reverse, and never have an issue.

OP, from the post you linked, sounds like in some instances this is just normal. Looks like that person may have had success with new fluid, so maybe go that route.

[ViperGTS14]

I hear you. Funny, I actually changed the trans oil to (I forget right now) and didn't have this issue for the last couple hundred miles.

[CNU_Physics]

Same as camarochevy, the 06 GTO I drove before this was notorious for locking you out of reverse, and sometimes first gear as well. My Viper has locked me out of reverse a few times now, it only seems to happen if its the very first gear i try to put in after starting the car.

Like others have said, if you put it in a forward gear first then go to reverse, it never seems to lock you out. Got into this habit due to the issues with the gto. Its just a Tremec thing...

[ViperGTS14]

Same as camarochevy, the 06 GTO I drove before this was notorious for locking you out of reverse, and sometimes first gear as well. My Viper has locked me out of reverse a few times now, it only seems to happen if its the very first gear i try to put in after starting the car.

Like others have said, if you put it in a forward gear first then go to reverse, it never seems to lock you out. Got into this habit due to the issues with the gto. Its just a Tremec thing...

Very cool, will try this technique as soon as I get here back on the ground again.

[camarochevy1970]

Same as camarochevy, the 06 GTO I drove before this was notorious for locking you out of reverse, and sometimes first gear as well. My Viper has locked me out of reverse a few times now, it only seems to happen if its the very first gear i try to put in after starting the car.

Like others have said, if you put it in a forward gear first then go to reverse, it never seems to lock you out. Got into this habit due to the issues with the gto. Its just a Tremec thing...

haha my gto was the car that started me down this road in fact

[SilveRT8]

You're not alone, mine does the same when I start the car and try to back out of the garage, reverse is a hit or miss thing most of the time.
I just go back to neutral and try again

[swexlin]

Same as camarochevy, the 06 GTO I drove before this was notorious for locking you out of reverse, and sometimes first gear as well. My Viper has locked me out of reverse a few times now, it only seems to happen if its the very first gear i try to put in after starting the car.

Like others have said, if you put it in a forward gear first then go to reverse, it never seems to lock you out. Got into this habit due to the issues with the gto. Its just a Tremec thing...

Now that I think about it, I may actually do this without thinking about it.....going into a forward gear first. Next time I drive the car (which may be next spring with the turn our weather is taking!) I'll have to see.

[Steve M]

Bottom line: it is a mechanical issue that should not be happening. If all other gears work fine except reverse, it is either the lockout solenoid malfunctioning, or something internal to the transmission itself that needs rebuilt.

[ViperGTS14]

Agree. Tell more more about this lock out solenoid and how to check it etc...?

[SRT_BluByU]

if i recall correctly i believe the viper is supposed to be parked in reverse.

[Jack B]

In your description, the car starts to move with the clutch to the floor, that is important, that means the clutch is not disengaging. If the clutch does not totally disengage, the car will shift hard because the shaft is still spinning. in addition, the reverse gear actually has synchro's, they could be worn.

Try this, car at rest on a level surface in first gear, clutch to the floor and being the rpms up to a 5K, does the car start to move. Here is another test, the car moving in first gear at about 30 mph, than push clutch to the floor and bring rpms up to 5k, does the car slow down or continue to move under power. That last test comes from Nth Moto. One or both of those tests will tell you if the clutch is totally disengaging.

Like Steve said, maybe the lockout solenoid is hanging, you could try disconnecting the connector and see if that changes anything.