Cooper won't drive in reverse

[Pove]

Hi All,
My cooper (manual, 2005) won't drive in reverse.

I have drove around the block in 1st-3rd gears, although im not 100% those gears were engaged as the gear stick feels unusual.

If when stationary I move gear stick in neutral from side to side it has not spring or definitive feeling!

Any ideas?

[gaz700]

sounds like gear cables/linkages are badly worn or broken

[marque]

Quote: Originally Posted by gaz700 (original)

sounds like gear cables/linkages are badly worn or broken

Hi ya

i agree as long as the gearbox is not making any noise when your driving it
i would go for the linkage or cables.
get some one to move the gear stick and have a look, on your cooper it should be under the battery. it might be easier looking from underneath.

[MINI2MPV]

My wife's 55 reg cooper did this, she drove into a parking space then couldn't reverse out.. turned out it was a new gearbox that was needed. Dealer got a goodwill repalcement from MINI as we were only 6 months outside warranty expiry

[Pove]

Thanks everyone, my initial thoughts are that is is a cable...I'm worried that the dealer (or a bad garage) may say its the gearbox when im sure if I can drive it forward surely it couldn't be a gearbox? Well fingers crossed its a cable :-( thanks again everyone, much appreciated

[Pove]

It doesn't make any sounds when moving by the way, I'm not 100% all the power is in the revs but it defo isn't making a noise,
Thanks