Unable to select reverse or park

[gj9ex]

Poppy, a 1996 SPI automatic Mayfair is not letting me select reverse, or park. The selector will move between D,3,2,1 & N, but won't move into R or P.

She doesn't have a collar to lift.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards

Johnny

[mra-minis]

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

Have a look at the quadrant in the selector mechanism, you will find it in close proximity to your drain plug, it may be that the cover has been fitted incorrectly or you have a blockage caused by something else..

Other than that does the lever line up with the positions selected ? if not then adjust it till it does.

[gj9ex]

Hi Martin,

I posted the original message twice, once on the general form and once here.  It turned out that the cover (with the PRN123D) was misaligned and blocking the gear lever.

I now have another problem which I believe is far more serious - slippage.  I have been running the car (1996 Mayfair auto) on Halfords 20w50 and the "clutch" has started to slip going up hill.  I understand the problem is due to the wrong oil but is there anything except change the oil I can do?

What does the oil do (or not do) to cause this problem?

with regards and many thanks for coming back to the original question.

Johnny

[mra-minis]

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

Hello Johnny,

Excellent it's good to fix an issue so easily as simply moving the PRN123D cover.

Slippage is not an easy fix, quite possibly caused by thicker oil restricting the piston assemblies from returning at the correct speed.

Not even changing the oil will fix a slippage for long. Your transmission will need a recondition

Apparently the "new oil on the block" is a MA2 specific wet clutch motorcycle derivative oil.

Kind Regards Martin

[limby2000]

Motol 5000 is a good oil, make sure you get the ma2 version, its fairly cheap too. If after oil change is still slipping chances are its friction parts are at the end of there working life. Dont continue to drive around with a slipping gearbox as there will only be one ending. There tends to be a life expectantcy of 50,000 miles on the Ap box dependant on past treatment, although my friends 84 mini city (although 32 years old) started slipping at 16,000. Keep us up to speed with your outcome.

[mra-minis]

Jul 29, 2016 10:43:12 GMT limby2000 said:

Motol 5000 is a good oil, make sure you get the ma2 version, its fairly cheap too. If after oil change is still slipping chances are its friction parts are at the end of there working life. Dont continue to drive around with a slipping gearbox as there will only be one ending. There tends to be a life expectantcy of 50,000 miles on the Ap box dependant on past treatment, although my friends 84 mini city (although 32 years old) started slipping at 16,000. Keep us up to speed with your outcome.

Seen loads of low mileage Minis with knackered transmissions, I am 100% certain it is to do with poor servicing procedures, ie "it's only done 1000 miles since last year so there's no need to change the oil" however the moisture from the lower mileage covered soon destroys the paper based clutch friction material and kills the unit.

As you say Terry, fitting the MA2 is worth a try.

[gj9ex]

Thanks again Martin,

Is there any recommended oil to use, going down the MA2 route? I don't want to spend oodles of money if it's going to be a temporary fix, or if it's not the problem we fear it might be.

And...

If I do need an overhaul (and the gearbox) what could the ball park figure be?

With regards

Johnny




Slippage is not an easy fix, quite possibly caused by thicker oil restricting the piston assemblies from returning at the correct speed.

Not even changing the oil will fix a slippage for long. Your transmission will need a recondition

Apparently the "new oil on the block" is a MA2 specific wet clutch motorcycle derivative oil.

Kind Regards Martin[/quote]

[mra-minis]

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

Look up 2 posts (one above my last, not including this one ha ha) Limby2000 (Terry) has put a recommendation on here.

[notamini]

Martin,
When did they switch over to the improved clutch material that we get today? Mine being a '69, I would assume that it is of the old paper but I do have the improved ones in a box. All I need is the time to install them and overhaul the box too. It's only been 8 years since I purchased the kit. How bad is that? Ha ha.

Mark

[limby2000]

Hi Mark, is yours showing sign,s of fatigue already after just 8 years?. Was it fully rebuilt then (all o rings) or just friction parts. It does,nt seem fair that being loyal to these gearboxes comes at such a high price .

[gj9ex]

I didn't update the page before posting the question. I'll try the Motul 5000 route and see what happens.

Again, thanks for your and Terry's input.

Johnny

Jul 29, 2016 15:08:02 GMT mra-minis said:

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

Look up 2 posts (one above my last, not including this one ha ha) Limby2000 (Terry) has put a recommendation on here.

[mra-minis]

Jul 29, 2016 16:11:49 GMT notamini said:

Martin,
When did they switch over to the improved clutch material that we get today? Mine being a '69, I would assume that it is of the old paper but I do have the improved ones in a box. All I need is the time to install them and overhaul the box too. It's only been 8 years since I purchased the kit. How bad is that? Ha ha.

Mark

The best plates were the old sintered copper plates, higher friction coefficient, meant less slippage, they could be a little harsh on take up and up shift, but that is better than clutch slip.

I think the latest material has got worse it is one reason why I looked getting my own plates made.