I have a Plymouth Neon 2000 2.0L standard. There are 6 shift gears. 1-5 and then the last one is Reverse. 1-5 works just fine. But when I try to put it in reverse I have a hard time trying to get reverse to catch. Is this a fix I can do? If so, what,where, and how do I fix it?

 

Do you have more trouble trying to shift into reverse while the car is still moving, say at like 1 mph forward? Neons are kind of known to have "notchy" shifters, but it's my understanding that reverse is the "notchiest" gear for most people in the Neon.

If every other gear is fine, then there may not be much you can do about it... if you're at a dead stop and try shifting it into reverse and it won't go all the way, my only advice would be to pull the shifter back into reverse and hold it there (firm, but not hard), and lightly let the clutch out... halfway out you should feel it grab through the shifter and the shifter should then completely fall into reverse. I sometimes have this same problem with reverse and 1st (since it was new), and the easiest way I found to remedy it (besides slamming the shifter), was to feather the clutch like this to get everything to engage smoothly.

 

one suggestion... always go into another gear first before putting it in reverse. For some reason i always used third. doesn't matter, just try it.

k3v

 

Ok, as for ptshafer suggestion, yes what I've noticed was that when I putting the shifter on reverse I have to slowly let go the clutch to engage.

As for GrAphite03, I haven't tried that but I'll try it during my lunch hour.

I want to Thank both of you all for your input. And I'll get back with you after lunch on putting the shifter in third gear before putting it in Reverse.

OH, I've read that I should check the clips, does anybody know anything about this? And when can I find these clips?

 

Ok, I tried GrApHite03 it didn't worked. I tried all gears and it still didn't work. However, when I tried ptchafer it did work.
Thank you both for your time and knowledge.

 

When I first got my neon it took me a while to get it. So many times I was think it was in reverse because well...it sure looked and felt like it was. But it wasn't catching(I think thats your problem). I don't have anything fancy I just take it out back into neutral and then pushed it all the way to the right and when it hits the side give it a firm push to the right still. Then I firmly pull it down. I haven't had a problem in a while.

 

After 57,000 miles now, mine goes into reverse pretty smooth now lol.

 

Mine does the same thing and I do the clutch thing from time to time but also try shifting in first then to reverse.