PT Cr. manual trans not going into reverse

2001 PT Cruiser with manual transmission. I'm unable to engage the reverse
gear. All other gears work fine, just no reverse. No difference if the
engine is running, or clutch depressed.

Gear shift can move to the right in neutral. It can move forward into 5th.
It won't move backward into reverse.

Before I start tinkering or take it to a shop - anyone have an idea what the
problem might be?

Thanks.

 

Cable obstructed or out of adjustment?

 

Sounds plausible. Is there a schematic available on the web (without having
to sign up for Alldata)?

 

The shift quadrant is probably out of alignment. Back in the K-car days,
Chryslers used to be adjusted under the gearshift lever, accessed by
removing the shift knob and pulling the centre console up over the shift
lever. Haven't seen the set-up on a PT. You probably need a service manual
to carry out this operation, because it's tricky - I always found Haynes
good enough for this.

 

Gear shift can move to the right in neutral. It can move forward into 5th.

Found the problem, and it's an easy fix, too. The rubber bushing at the
forward end of one of the linkage cables has disintegrated and fallen out.
The second cable's bushing is about to fail as well.

The replacement of both bushings will take only a few minutes.

Unfortunately, only the Chrysler dealerships carry the parts, and they will
sell the complete package with two cable assemblies. They won't sell just
the bushings.

So, instead of buying two bushings which would cost maybe a dollar, I must
buy the cables for $150 to harvest the bushings. Makes me feel all warm and
fuzzy...

If anyone knows of a supplier who can sell these bushings individually,
please let me know.

Thanks

 

Don't know what those specific bushings look like, but it seems to me that
a set of Delrin or rubber replacements could be had from a place like
www.smallparts.com or, failing that, with a web search on delrin rubber
bushings.

 

Don't know what those specific bushings look like, but it seems to me that

Unfortunately I couldn't find a similar bushing at smallparts. I might be
able do make one from some rod material. I think Delrin would be too stiff.
The actual bushing is rubber in the shape of Honeycomb cereal
http://www.kraftfoods.com/postcereals/cereal_honeycomb.html (including the
holes).

This bushing allows for some geometry variation as the cable pulls and
pushes the linkage lever. It also (presumably) has a nub on the inside
diameter that would lock it in place on the stud.