I've had my 56 Fiesta for about two weeks or so now (my first car), I love it! Only trouble is sometimes when I attempt to select the reverse gear, from first the car doesn't move. Reverse is definitely engaged as I can see the reverse light in my rear view, but as I release the clutch and give a little gas, there is no movement, instead it revs as if its still in neutral. Has anyone else experienced this or know of the cause?

Thanks :)

The reversing lights switch is actuated, hence the lamps illuminating, but reverse gear is not selected, possible linkage or gearbox issue ?

The reversing lights switch is actuated, hence the lamps illuminating, but reverse gear is not selected, possible linkage or gearbox issue ?

Sounds scary/annoying. I'll have to get it seen to. Thanks

You're welcome.

I think my old Fiesta did this too, sometimes thought it was in reverse but it wasn't all the way in gear. Try to carefully push the gearstick further into reverse (with the clutch still pressed of course) and see if it will select the gear properly. It might also be worth trying this: put it back in neutral, release the clutch then press it again, then try selecting reverse.

I've experienced this on Fiesta's too, feels like it's in reverse but no drive, then sometimes a bit of a crunch when you move the gearstick back to neutral. Think once or twice I've let the clutch bite slightly and then been able to drop the gearstick into reverse properly.

Think it's a 'characteristic' of the gearbox they all share.

I think my old Fiesta did this too, sometimes thought it was in reverse but it wasn't all the way in gear. Try to carefully push the gearstick further into reverse (with the clutch still pressed of course) and see if it will select the gear properly. It might also be worth trying this: put it back in neutral, release the clutch then press it again, then try selecting reverse.

My dad said the same thing, about putting it in neutral, and starting again - this does seem to work. Its just going to take some getting used to I guess. Thanks Phil

I've experienced this on Fiesta's too, feels like it's in reverse but no drive, then sometimes a bit of a crunch when you move the gearstick back to neutral. Think once or twice I've let the clutch bite slightly and then been able to drop the gearstick into reverse properly.

Think it's a 'characteristic' of the gearbox they all share.

I see, that sounds accurate to my situation! The crunch is a little alarming, but as mentioned it'll take some getting used to I guess. Thanks Troy

It is a Ford trait, my gearbox is all tickety-boo yet getting it into reverse is a pig, normally clutch down twice and it will pop in with sometimes a little crunch. I think it is a characteristic of the box, I have heard lots of fords do it, mainly on the five speed with a 'right and down' reverse slot

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It is a Ford trait, my gearbox is all tickety-boo yet getting it into reverse is a pig, normally clutch down twice and it will pop in with sometimes a little crunch. I think it is a characteristic of the box, I have heard lots of fords do it, mainly on the five speed with a 'right and down' reverse slot

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GNU STP

Yeah, I'm beginning to realise this too. It can take a few attempts to get the gear in. Mine is 'right and down' for reverse. It's good to know I'm not alone I guess

Yep, same issue when i had my cmax! I just put it back into 1st lifted the clutch a little and then would go straight into reverse.

*RESOLVED* It was the fact I wasn't properly slotting the gear in, it was sort half way, which is why I heard the crunch. Right and and RIGHT back, reversing no problem what so ever. I guess it's a 'qwerk'.

It's a very common "ism"

My Focus does it, ex-girlfriend's Fiesta did, my old Punto and Dad's old Xantia, his old Sierra's (both on F-reg) and Orion (D-reg) all did it to an extent as well

I think it has something to do with synchromesh, forward gears have it, reverse does not, so it effectively needs to be crashed into reverse

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