So, I'm new. If you don't regularly read introduction threads, I have a 2003 Dodge Neon SE, 5 speed manual. For the long story, there's been a cold snap here earlier this week, and on the first day of that, I had a hard time shifting into reverse when I started the car up in the morning. It's been getting harder to do each day--but manageable when the engine warmed up--until today it finally stopped working altogether.

The gearshift will not go into reverse. No problem with any of the other gears, just reverse.

After doing some research online, it looks like the crossover cable might be broken. I've worked on older cars before ('86 Mustang and '51 Ford), but never something with this much electrical wiring.

So here I am. First question is, do you guys think the crossover cable is actually the problem, or might it be something else? Second question, given that rough description of my abilities, is this something I can fix myself?

 

The gear lever physically won't go into reverse or the transmission will not engage reverse gear?

 

Both. The gear lever physically will not go into reverse, and as far as I can tell, the transmission won't engage, either.

 

Based on what you describe and having a manual, I'd check the crossover cable bushings, and the cable itself. If the bushings are bad/gone, get some Booger bushings. It's likely that, or the cable itself broke.

 

My 04' had the same axact problem. the bushings on the shifter cable were gone. I found new bushings on EBay for $20.00 but they were found long after I bought a new cable. Modern Performance has shifter cables for $199.00. After shipping I paid a total of $209.00. My car is at the body shop so I had them install it along with doing a complete repaint and the guys said it was a pain in the butt to install.

 

Get these bushings. Not only will they fix the problem (if it is indeed the bushings), it will give you firmer shifts.
http://www.boogerracing.com/boogerbushings.html