1987 Samurai
Pulled engine and tranny to replace leaking seals on engine, installed new timing belt etc. Transmission worked perfectly before starting on project. On re-installation, can't get it to go into reverse. Have checked shifting pins, springs etc, tried to put it in several times with the same results. Any ideas?
Thanks.

There is a washer/spacer that has to be in place under a bolt on the side of the shifter.  I don't have a pic to show you exactly which one but I had this same issue and replaced the washer and BAM, everything worked like a dream.

Thanks much for the input. I'll give it a shot and post outcome.

I can try to take a photo tonight and post it up.  You can get to it by pulling up the boot around the gear shift and its right on top to the left of the shifter when looking down.  It was amazing that some stupid spacer under a bolt could cause such mayhem.

I messed around with it and didn't get it sorted out.Do you recall if it was on shifter tower or on tranny itself?

I think this is the same issue I referred to, the Reverse Gear Shift Rim Bolt:

http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content?topic=52985.0


On Post #7 he mentions a missing washer, that HAS to be in there for reverse to work.

I didn't get off so easy, wasn't reverse shift rim bolt missing washer. I really appreciate the suggestion though. I'll keep searching for issue. Hopefully won't take a mechanic and lots of money to sort it out...

Found the problem. I replaced both the back up switch and 4 wheel indicator switch due to brittle wiring when I pulled the transmission. I had suspected the back up switch and backed it out a few turns. That didn't do it. I was getting ready to just buy a new tranny. I started the process of pulling mine. I took off the back up and 4 wheel indicator switches. For the heck of it, thought I'd try reverse one more time. And it worked. Put 4 wheel indicator switch back in, and it wouldn't work. So the whole time that was the problem. I added a washer with the o ring after the washer. Good to go.....