Reverse gear issue

[Kincath]

Looking for some help please. My 4200 has developed an issue where it won't go into reverse. The "R" on the dash just flashes. It will eventually go in after 5 or 6 tries.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[CatmanV2]

Impending clutch failure.

C

 

[2b1ask1]

First of all and before people leap into clutch doom mode...

The return spring on the reverse lever is notoriously weak, often drops off it's mount and debris gets into the switch, this should be your first port of call, Make selection of reverse a very positive action and 'assist' the lever back to the top position. If it remains at the bottom it will throw a hissy as you describe, likewise if it is only just contacting it may also not be giving a positive selection.

Good luck

 

[2b1ask1]

Ok I didn't get in quickly enough...

 

[CatmanV2]

Ok I didn't get in quickly enough...

Well I did think about the switch but my experience is that it won't come up with R on the dash, or indeed drop out of R if the switch stays on, as it were. So I didn't feel the symptoms fitted

However you could well be right

C

 

[conaero]

Check all the easy stuff first, battery reset, SD diagnostics and have the gearbox put in to relearn mode and have a camera into the bell housing to check for bent spring tangs.

If not, I sounds like the starting of actuator failure I am afraid. Either way, if its not fixed by simple reset then your looking at a couple of grand for either a new clutch or actuator.

You could also check the reverse button, we are starting to see these failing as the vehicles get older. Hopefully a reset will sort it for you.

 

[Kincath]

Check all the easy stuff first, battery reset, SD diagnostics and have the gearbox put in to relearn mode and have a camera into the bell housing to check for bent spring tangs.

If not, I sounds like the starting of actuator failure I am afraid. Either way, if its not fixed by simple reset then your looking at a couple of grand for either a new clutch or actuator.

You could also check the reverse button, we are starting to see these failing as the vehicles get older. Hopefully a reset will sort it for you.

Thanks I'll check the easy stuff first. Cheers

 

[whereskeith]

Check all the easy stuff first, battery reset, SD diagnostics and have the gearbox put in to relearn mode and have a camera into the bell housing to check for bent spring tangs.

If not, I sounds like the starting of actuator failure I am afraid. Either way, if its not fixed by simple reset then your looking at a couple of grand for either a new clutch or actuator.

You could also check the reverse button, we are starting to see these failing as the vehicles get older. Hopefully a reset will sort it for you.

can you please run through with me how to put the gearbox into re-learn mode?
Oh and battery reset pls.
Thanks

 

[conaero]

can you please run through with me how to put the gearbox into re-learn mode?
Oh and battery reset pls.
Thanks

It can only be done using SD. When triggered, it resets all the parameters of the shifting.

 

[whereskeith]

ok.. will take it back to the garage for that one then
thanks

 

[2b1ask1]

Battery reset is an easy one to do yourself, make sure you can open the boot manually from the key first or you can leave it open if you are on your own driveway etc. Large black twist top button (black) located over the battery in the boot, switch off for > 10 minute, switch back on and cycle the central locking/alarm and you are good to go. There are many other types of reset like seats, air con, throttle each with variations of proceedure.

 

[BL330]

The Gransport has the lever positioned differently and I found mine was getting vague, not selecting easily.
I pulled apart the lever as best I could and found there was some slack in the bottom plate.
I nipped up the screws and it was fixed.
Hopefully yours is that easy.

 

[BennyD]

Looking for some help please. My 4200 has developed an issue where it won't go into reverse. The "R" on the dash just flashes. It will eventually go in after 5 or 6 tries.

Any ideas?

Thanks

It's either your clutch on the way out or, more likely, it's your gearbox actuator on the way out. If it is your actuator, DO NOT get a used one from Euroscares. Also, don't buy one off E-Bay as they are likely to be bolloxed as well.

 

[CraigWaterman11]

Have the garage check to see if it's reading any rpms on the gearbox input sensor as well. Sometimes the spigot bearing gets full of debris and causes it to get stuck. If this happens it spins the input shaft, and the car won't go into reverse as it's sensing input rpms on the gearbox. Additionally, if the garage knows how to perform a gear selection grid with the engagement/selection values, that will tell them whether the Actuator is out of center, or beyond it's engagement values. When this happens it also will give you a flashing indicator. Tell them to check this before putting the car into self-learn, as this will erase over and record new data.

I think Chris was merely thinking it was immediately the clutch, only because he's correct this is sometimes caused by clutch failure as well. Of course we all hope that's not the case, but as you'll be plugged into the scan tool anyway, ask for a clutch wear read out. I'm pretty certain they will give you any codes you have in the NCR for the gearbox. If it's related to the reverse level it will definitely come up.

As always report back when you get word, many can learn from what you are going through and help others.

 

[Steve GS]

I'm also convinced there is another fault somewhere along the line. When mine played up took it to voicey he ran it through a reset and all the gears worked. But I still couldn't select reverse had the switch apart nothing wrong in there left the car sitting for a week and it started to work again. It played up once since then last year. But all is well at the moment. So Maserati gremlins for me. But the more I drive her the better she runs. So mine will become or is becoming a high miler.

 

[voicey]

Have the garage check to see if it's reading any rpms on the gearbox input sensor as well. Sometimes the spigot bearing gets full of debris and causes it to get stuck. If this happens it spins the input shaft, and the car won't go into reverse as it's sensing input rpms on the gearbox. Additionally, if the garage knows how to perform a gear selection grid with the engagement/selection values, that will tell them whether the Actuator is out of center, or beyond it's engagement values. When this happens it also will give you a flashing indicator. Tell them to check this before putting the car into self-learn, as this will erase over and record new data.

I think Chris was merely thinking it was immediately the clutch, only because he's correct this is sometimes caused by clutch failure as well. Of course we all hope that's not the case, but as you'll be plugged into the scan tool anyway, ask for a clutch wear read out. I'm pretty certain they will give you any codes you have in the NCR for the gearbox. If it's related to the reverse level it will definitely come up.

As always report back when you get word, many can learn from what you are going through and help others.

Try putting it into first and then immediately selecting reverse (without going through neutral) - this will tell you if input shaft motion is the issue

 

[CraigWaterman11]

Good call Voice.