Tranny Trouble

[Michael Crane]

Hi folks, I'm new here and new to Camaros. I just recently bought a 98 Camaro 6 cylinder with a five speed transmission. Had no trouble with it at all until yesterday, was approaching a red light, down shifted, light turned green got back on it, got to cruising speed an it wouldn't go back into 5th. Tried it several times with no luck, got it stopped to check it out and it won't go into 5th or reverse. I know absolutely nothing about these transmissions so I'm not quite sure what the problem would be, and I don't want to tear into it without an idea of what to do. Any ideas? Thanks for your time and I'd appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks!

Michael Crane

[Joe 1320]

The T-5 is has an internal rail shifter. The shifter mounts directly on top of the transmission, there is no external linkeage to check. In order to check the shifter, you'll have to unscrew the shift knob, remove the surround plate and boots. Now you have access to the shifter and the four mounting bolts. Unbolt them and pull the shifter straight up. If there is a problem there, you'll find it. If not, there is an internal problem that will require it to be taken apart. Usually if it's a shifter problem, two opposite gears will be affected....just like your reverse and 5th, or 1st and 2nd, etc. That isn't always the case though. If it were a clutch or shift fork problem, it usually affects all gears not just two. So it's either the shifter or internal problem usually pointing to syncros.

Hope this helps.

[Michael Crane]

Thanks Joe, I pulled the shifter and checked it, no problem there so it must be internal. Was afraid it couldn't be that easy Thanks for the information, I'll look into the synchros.