Miata List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: entropyc verizon.net (James Thorusen)

Greetings to the list!

One of my 1990's just developed the "stuck in reverse" syndrome. I have
downloaded the write-up by Lance Schall from the Miata.net web site.
However, he has references throughout the article to what appear to be
reference numbers on a drawing. I thought at first these would be obvious,
but in looking at my parts book, the detent notches appear to be far forward
on the shift rod, but there is no correspondingly placed detent spring and
bolt assembly as mentioned in the write-up.

Can someone please let me know where to locate the drawing that Lance is
referring to? Alternatively, can someone describe the precise location of
the detent spring retaining bolt from which the two copper washers are to be
removed?

Thanks,
Jim T.
entropycat at verizon.net
'74 914
'90 Miata (x3)

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: entropyc verizon.net (James Thorusen)

Hi John!

The Mazda SSP-11 that Lance refers to does not require a gearbox
tear-down. It consists mainly of removing a bolt that holds a detent ball
and spring in place and removing two copper washers that were originally
installed under the head of the bolt. Upon re-installation, the spring
tension on the detent ball will be increased. This bolt is accessible form
the outside of the gear box; the question was where to find it. In
addition, Lance talks about the reverse light switch (three versions) which
help out also. I am not clear from his write-up whether or not the reverse
light switch change was part of SSP-11 or something that came along later.
Since I have had three of these cars for some years and this is the first
time it has ever happened to me, I hope that these simple changes will be
sufficient.

Thanks for the reply.

Regards,Jim T.
entropycat at verizon.net
'74 914
'90 Miata (x3)

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Freas" <john.freas at gmail.com>
To: "James Thorusen" <entropycat at verizon.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 5:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Miata] Stuck in Reverse


<snip>


> James,
>
> Are you really going to take your transmission apart to perform the full
> upgrade? It seems like it would be simpler albeit not cheaper to just get
a
> used gearbox from a newer car at the salvage yard, but that's really not
> necessary either.
>
> I have had my '90 get stuck in reverse twice, both times requiring a
> blindingly fast 5-1 shift on my part (as the red light went green and I
> realized I was in the wrong gear). Both times I performed the field
repair
> (in the field), the second time followed up with replacement of the backup
> light switch as recommended. Between the upgraded switch and my distaste
> for backing the car through traffic to get to a parking lot for the field
> repair I have managed to avoid a third occurance.
>
> Just a thought.
>
> -John
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Larry (Larry Alster)

I'm not sure I see the wisdom in pursuing this as it is usually a rare
occurrence. Why not just get it out of gear and leave it be??


Larry

White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP
Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo
Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger
Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5

LowCountry Miata lowcountrymiataclub.net
Masters Miata
RAGS 074
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Thorusen" <entropycat at verizon.net>
To: "John Freas" <john.freas at gmail.com>
Cc: "aaMiata List" <miata at realbig.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 12:39 AM
Subject: Re: [Miata] Stuck in Reverse


> Hi John!
>
> The Mazda SSP-11 that Lance refers to does not require a gearbox
> tear-down. It consists mainly of removing a bolt that holds a detent
> ball
> and spring in place and removing two copper washers that were originally
> installed under the head of the bolt. Upon re-installation, the spring
> tension on the detent ball will be increased. This bolt is accessible
> form
> the outside of the gear box; the question was where to find it. In
> addition, Lance talks about the reverse light switch (three versions)
> which
> help out also. I am not clear from his write-up whether or not the
> reverse
> light switch change was part of SSP-11 or something that came along later.
> Since I have had three of these cars for some years and this is the
> first
> time it has ever happened to me, I hope that these simple changes will be
> sufficient.
>
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> Regards,Jim T.
> entropycat at verizon.net
> '74 914
> '90 Miata (x3)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Freas" <john.freas at gmail.com>
> To: "James Thorusen" <entropycat at verizon.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 5:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [Miata] Stuck in Reverse
>
>
> <snip>
>
>
>> James,
>>
>> Are you really going to take your transmission apart to perform the full
>> upgrade? It seems like it would be simpler albeit not cheaper to just
>> get
> a
>> used gearbox from a newer car at the salvage yard, but that's really not
>> necessary either.
>>
>> I have had my '90 get stuck in reverse twice, both times requiring a
>> blindingly fast 5-1 shift on my part (as the red light went green and I
>> realized I was in the wrong gear). Both times I performed the field
> repair
>> (in the field), the second time followed up with replacement of the
>> backup
>> light switch as recommended. Between the upgraded switch and my distaste
>> for backing the car through traffic to get to a parking lot for the field
>> repair I have managed to avoid a third occurance.
>>
>> Just a thought.
>>
>> -John
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> Miata at list.realbig.com
> list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: entropyc verizon.net (James Thorusen)

Hi Larry!

Re your comment below:

I may do exactly that... it depends on how much trouble the mods turn out
to be.

Regards,
Jim T.
entropycat at verizon.net
'74 914
'90 Miata (x3)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Alster" <Larry at Miata.net>
To: "James Thorusen" <entropycat at verizon.net>; "John Freas"
<john.freas at gmail.com>
Cc: "aaMiata List" <miata at realbig.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 2:09 AM
Subject: Re: [Miata] Stuck in Reverse


> I'm not sure I see the wisdom in pursuing this as it is usually a rare
> occurrence. Why not just get it out of gear and leave it be??
>
>
> Larry

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Larry (Larry Alster)

In all the years I've had Miatas I know of 2 people that had this issue
first hand. Neither had it reoccur after fixing it with the screwdriver
fix.


Larry

White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP
Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo
Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger
Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5

LowCountry Miata lowcountrymiataclub.net
Masters Miata
RAGS 074
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Thorusen" <entropycat at verizon.net>
To: "Larry Alster" <Larry at Miata.net>
Cc: "aaMiata List" <miata at realbig.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 7:16 AM
Subject: Re: [Miata] Stuck in Reverse


> Hi Larry!
>
> Re your comment below:
>
> I may do exactly that... it depends on how much trouble the mods turn
> out
> to be.
>
> Regards,
> Jim T.
> entropycat at verizon.net
> '74 914
> '90 Miata (x3)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Larry Alster" <Larry at Miata.net>
> To: "James Thorusen" <entropycat at verizon.net>; "John Freas"
> <john.freas at gmail.com>
> Cc: "aaMiata List" <miata at realbig.com>
> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 2:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [Miata] Stuck in Reverse
>
>
>> I'm not sure I see the wisdom in pursuing this as it is usually a rare
>> occurrence. Why not just get it out of gear and leave it be??
>>
>>
>> Larry
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> Miata at list.realbig.com
> list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: john.freas (John Freas)

Thanks James, and sorry about my confusion. I never read the SSP carefully
enough!

-John
------------------------------
John Freas <%20john7690 at comcast.net>
Red '90 Base-ish #7690 <tinyurl.com/q82r>
1992 YELLOW "Sting <john.freas.comcast.net/pix/sting/sting.html>"
1995 Black R Package
"Spike<geocities.com/clash_girl/Spike_Scrapbook.html>
"
Elizabethtown, Indiana
- Standard Disclaimer
<john.freas.home.comcast.net/disclaimer.html>Applies -
Team LS1,2, SP, the Gap...
I love my Miata
girl<geocities.com/clash_girl/Spike_Scrapbook.html>and my
Miata Baby
"I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are for."

On 8/16/07, James Thorusen <entropycat at verizon.net> wrote:
>
> Hi John!
>
> The Mazda SSP-11 that Lance refers to does not require a gearbox
> tear-down. It consists mainly of removing a bolt that holds a detent
> ball
> and spring in place and removing two copper washers that were originally
> installed under the head of the bolt. Upon re-installation, the spring
> tension on the detent ball will be increased. This bolt is accessible
> form
> the outside of the gear box; the question was where to find it. In
> addition, Lance talks about the reverse light switch (three versions)
> which
> help out also. I am not clear from his write-up whether or not the
> reverse
> light switch change was part of SSP-11 or something that came along later.
> Since I have had three of these cars for some years and this is the
> first
> time it has ever happened to me, I hope that these simple changes will be
> sufficient.
>
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> Regards,Jim T.
> entropycat at verizon.net
> '74 914
> '90 Miata (x3)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Freas" <john.freas at gmail.com>
> To: "James Thorusen" <entropycat at verizon.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 5:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [Miata] Stuck in Reverse
>
>
> <snip>
>
>
> > James,
> >
> > Are you really going to take your transmission apart to perform the full
> > upgrade? It seems like it would be simpler albeit not cheaper to just
> get
> a
> > used gearbox from a newer car at the salvage yard, but that's really not
> > necessary either.
> >
> > I have had my '90 get stuck in reverse twice, both times requiring a
> > blindingly fast 5-1 shift on my part (as the red light went green and I
> > realized I was in the wrong gear). Both times I performed the field
> repair
> > (in the field), the second time followed up with replacement of the
> backup
> > light switch as recommended. Between the upgraded switch and my
> distaste
> > for backing the car through traffic to get to a parking lot for the
> field
> > repair I have managed to avoid a third occurance.
> >
> > Just a thought.
> >
> > -John
> >
>
>
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