2000 V70 MT won't go into reverse

[prisbylla]

First off, thanks to everyone who posts he, it's been a valuable resource.

Here's the story: 3-4 days ago, the car sometimes wouldn't go fully into reverse. I would let the clutch out and nothing. At that point, shifting it into 1st and back into neutral a few times would clear up the problem. Now it's simply not going into reverse at all. 1 through 5 work fine.

My guess is something wrong with the cables or linkages, but I wanted to get some other opinions before I tear into it.

Thanks
Mike

[scot850]

Like you say it could be several things. I am not very familiar with the FWD/P80 manual trans. But what little I know from Volvo's RWD older models may be relevant, but hopefully someone with more knowledge will jump in.

These are hydraulic clutches. First obvious thing to check is fluid level (I'm assuming you have already done that).

I used to find reverse was the first gear to give issues with a worn or badly adjusted clutch. A worn clutch I would expect to crunch into gear as would one with low fluid or air in it. Does the gear shift actually go fully into gear or does it 'baulk' and not go fully home?

The fact that if the gear shift goes into its proper position, then it makes no sense to me why it works sometimes and not others, unless there is a clutch pressure plate issue, but then why would it affect only reverse?

Neil.

[abscate]

Almost certainly a linkage issue. The rubber parts last about 20 years so your are up.

[FLXC90]

Robert did a video on replacing the ball socket end bushings on these cables. Of course, new cables or ends would be best. If the rubber bushings are going bad, they may not Always slip, and you may occasionally find your gear.