Lost Reverse on 1988 Esprit Turbo

[Wytnite]

I recently purchased a used 1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo in fine working order. I was so pleased with the performance I couldn't wait to let my friends take it for a test drive. Well, low and behold, my best friend pulls the car up and states that "it won't go into reverse". I was very specific in instructing him how to shift into reverse (by lifting up on the shifter and in one motion moving it over to the right and down). apparently, he didn't believe me as "it didn't make sense" and tried to just force it into the reverse position. I've read somewhere on this forum of a similar problem with another Esprit in which the linkage was mis-aligned. 1st and 2nd gears are straight up and down now. Is this a common problem? Does it sound like I've diagnosed the problem correctly? Lastly, is the answers are correct, how do I go about re-aligning the linkage?

Thank you in advance for your support.

Dan - Proud owner of a 1988 Esprit.

[lotusguy]

I recently purchased a used 1988 Lotus Esprit Turbo in fine working order. I was so pleased with the performance I couldn't wait to let my friends take it for a test drive. Well, low and behold, my best friend pulls the car up and states that "it won't go into reverse". I was very specific in instructing him how to shift into reverse (by lifting up on the shifter and in one motion moving it over to the right and down). apparently, he didn't believe me as "it didn't make sense" and tried to just force it into the reverse position. I've read somewhere on this forum of a similar problem with another Esprit in which the linkage was mis-aligned. 1st and 2nd gears are straight up and down now. Is this a common problem? Does it sound like I've diagnosed the problem correctly? Lastly, is the answers are correct, how do I go about re-aligning the linkage?

Thank you in advance for your support.

Dan - Proud owner of a 1988 Esprit.

Dan,
Sorry to hear of your troubles. My '85 Turbo uses the exact same gearbox and linkage as yours. This box has the reputation of never having a smooth shift into reverse. But the problem lies in one of 2 areas. First, shortening or lengthening the crossgate cable extension rod will increase/decrease the sideways motion of the crossshaft assembly on the transmission. The reverse selector shaft in the transmission is the furthest of the selector shafts to the right of the box, so the crossgate bellcrank lever must be 'pushed' to it's rearmost point to move the crossgate to the left. Too much travel in this diiection will result in not being able to engage either 2nd or 5th gears. To adjust, untighten the crossgate extention rod where it meets the cable and remove the clevis pin where it connects to the crossgate bellcrank lever. Now rotate the extension rod to lengthen it. reconnect the extension rod to the crossgate bellcrank lever and test the gear shift, adjust further as necessary, then retighten everything. On a car as old as an '88, you will probably find that you cannot adjust the extension rod sufficiently to fix the problem. In this case, your crossgate cable has stretched no longer allowing it to be adjusted. The only fix is to replace the cable. See my reply to IWasson because his problem on his '83 is similar to yours. Hope this helps ...Jim '85TE

>> Edited by lotusguy on Monday 16th December 23:35

[Skerd]

I had a 1988 also. Reverse was always tough to get into. A transmission friend of mine (who never worked on a Lotus) fixed it in less than 5 minutes. He said it was just the linkage. This is a best case scenario, of course.

[lotusguy]

Skerd said: I had a 1988 also. Reverse was always tough to get into. A transmission friend of mine (who never worked on a Lotus) fixed it in less than 5 minutes. He said it was just the linkage. This is a best case scenario, of course.

Skerd,

I agree with you, this is exactly what I described. The only adjustment really available, without 'cracking' the box open, is by shortening/lengthening the throw of the crossgate cable which increases/decreases the side to side motion of the crossgate assembly. This is accomplished by rotating the crossgate cable extension rod and usually takes only 5 min. or less...Jim '85TE