I believe I have a BW auto transmission in my Mk 2 P221103. We were on a drive last weekend and after a few hour stop, we returned to the car and it wouldn't engage reverse. We were able to return home without backing up. When we got home I tested it in the driveway, and reverse engaged just fine. I parked it in the garage. I went to take it out this afternoon, and found that reverse again would not engage.

It looks like the gear selector on the steering column is moving the full range, so I'm suspecting there may be a cable adjustment needed. I can see an adjustment point where the cable attaches to the lever at the base of the steering column in the engine compartment.

Before I start messing with adjustments, I'd like the wisdom of this group regarding what's likely to be going on, and the best path forward to fixing it.

Thanks

 

From your chassis # you could have a DG 250 Borg Warner (with the PNDLR shift) where Reverse is the last slot to the right. If this is the case, then it may well be that your cable needs adjusting to completely engage reverse.
I replaced my DG250 by a GM R700, so I cannot really give you any advice on the adjustment procedure, but a good (old) transmission mechanic could certainly help. On the other hand, the fact that you can engage reverse when the car is cooler (I assume) in your driveway may mean that it needs band adjustments or that it is low on fluid. Did you check the fluid level? that would be my first step.
Best,
JP

 

That's helpful regarding the transmission model.

The car was hot from a long drive when it worked in the driveway and cold when it didn't today. The fluid is at full on the dipstick.

It occurred to me that the heat may have expanded the linkage enough to engage reverse completely.

I also noticed that the lock nut on the cable end was loose which leads me to think it got out of adjustment. I'm going to try adjusting it out one turn tomorrow and see if it solves the problem.

Thanks.

 

I checked the cable linkage and it appears to be correctly adjusted, putting the actuator at the detent for reverse. I even tried lengthening the setting up to four turns, with no difference, and then put it back to the original setting.

I just got back from a 5 mile drive; just enough to get the car fully warmed up. I had to push the car out of the garage, but when I returned, reverse is working fine. I tried cycling several times between P D and R, moving the car in and out of the driveway. I have no confidence at all that it will work the next time I want to drive it.

Any suggestions on what the heck is going on?

Thanks.

 

Dean,
For what it's worth, here are the fault diagnostic pages for the DG 250.
Best,
JP