The MINI Club of Ireland

Hey all,

Just back from a spin with the wife and the little fella.
Unfortunately we returned in a truck with the mini on the flat bed.

Reversed up a hill and afterwards the gear stick wouldn't drop back down
For me to get it into 1st.
The only gear I can get is reverse.
It will reverse without any problems.
The gearbox has always been fine and never grinds or anything.
While trying to troubleshoot, reverse started to pop out of gear and make a grinding noise.
I suspect it was popping half out, being between neutral and reverse, hence a little grinding noise.

Anybody have any ideas?
Anybody have anything similar?
Could I have broken a gear selector/linkage as opposed to the gearbox in general?

She's a 2000 Mini Cooper mpi.

Cheers
John

Was there any 'bang' or such when you were reversing up the hill is the lever stuck in the reverse position or is it free could be the selector box at the base of the lever or most likely problems with selector forks which are an engine/box out job I am afraid .
G

No noise at all. Nothing.
I can get it into reverse or neutral.
The lever doesn't seem to want to spring back down to allow me select 1st through 4th.

If you get under the car you will see the 'box' at the bottom of the gear lever , there are 4 screws which when removed will allow you to see the lever mechanism , (make sure you refit this the correct way round ) and I have seen problems in there , I am surprised you can get neutral , is it any different when the engine is switched off did you notice any gearbox noise recently I mean a 'grinding' type of noise in certain gears , lots of questions I know but if some research now can save taking out the unit it will be worth it .
G

I'll get under and have a look at it, see if anything is looking abnormanl.
Is this "box" at the bottom of the gear stick full of oil.
When I open it will it pour out or is it relatively dry?

The problem exists when the engine is running and when its off. No difference at all!
It doesnt feel different or respond differently.
There was no noise from the gearbox at all.
It never grinds or has difficulty selecting gear going both up and down the box.

There is no oil in the selector box just a bit of grease , does the lever seem to select gears correctly but not engage
G

The gear stick is stuck in the upper position.
That is, when you want to select reverse you pull the gear stick up. well now it wont drop back down.
This is what has me stuck in either reverse or neutral.
I put all my 90Kg weight on it and i was starting to bend the gear lever.

In terms of movement, it only moves locally around where reverse is. You cannot get close to selecting 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th.