Changing tranny fluid

[aoeu]

I was changing the fluid with my manual transmission in neutral. While I was waiting on the excess fluid drain out of the fill plug, I decided to make sure my reverse light was working correctly since I recently replaced the switch. So I moved the shifter to reverse. Then once the excess fluid drained, I put the plug back in. I only had gears 1,2,3,4... gears 5 and R were gone! So I took the fill plug out, wiggled the shifter around in neutral, put the plug back in, and everything worked fine.

I don't know what would cause this to happen. Is the linkage held in position by the fill plug?! Has anyone had a similar experience? I am really curious why this would happen.

[xirdneh]

what "fill" plug did you remove?

the one you are supposed to use is on the passenger side on rear end of tranny

there is a plug "Reverse Plug" on passenger side towards the front
removing that one would do what you describe

[Petros]

some of the "plugs" are not plugs at all as Xirdneh points out. they hold parts of the linkage in place, you are lucky you got it to line up again properly.

Next time, follow the directions.

[aoeu]

Thanks for the replies xirdneh and petros. It's possible I took out the wrong plug. I've been filling it from the 24mm plug on the drivers side because it's easier to fit the bottle in. Then I remove what I believe is the actual fill plug to let any excess fluid drain. I'm attaching a pic of what I assume is the fill plug. Can either of you tell if this is the right plug or if it's the "reverse plug"? Also, what is the reverse plug used for? Thanks.

[Petros]

The factory service manual shows which one to fill it from. I fill it from the front one on the diff housing (easiest to reach), but it is slow going. I put a extra long tube on a plastic filler attachment and fill it from the engine compartment. It should take 4 quarts, that is how I know I got enough into it. Make sure you check the level from the correct plug, not enough gear oil and you will damage the trans, do not risk it. Also, you are supposed to back out the rear drain plug seven turns to allow the oil to flow more freely into the aft compartment (also in the FSM instructions).

[aoeu]

Hi petros, I have been backing the rear drain plug out 7.5 turns (top red circle in picture) but I'm not sure about the fill plug to check the level. The green circle is what I think the fill plug is. Do you know if that is correct? I forgot to mention, the picture is from the rear of the tranny looking toward the front of the car. The right side of the pic is the passenger side of the car.

[xirdneh]

the reverse plug is acually a plug with a large pin on the end (abt 1/2" diameter and 1" long) if i remember right it is 19mm nut
the pin slips into a bracket slot that is attached to the shift rod that controls reverse and fifth gear
it is lower than the 24mm (or 15/16") fill plug on the aft end passenger side (none of the fill plugs have a pin)
and it is just a few inches aft of the exhaust pipe mount on the front passenger side of the tranny
if you used that your oil level would be low
also you would be lucky to get it reinstalled correctly

[xirdneh]

Thanks for the replies xirdneh and petros. It's possible I took out the wrong plug. I've been filling it from the 24mm plug on the drivers side because it's easier to fit the bottle in. Then I remove what I believe is the actual fill plug to let any excess fluid drain. I'm attaching a pic of what I assume is the fill plug. Can either of you tell if this is the right plug or if it's the "reverse plug"? Also, what is the reverse plug used for? Thanks.

from the picture its hard to tell but looks like the reverse pin plug because it is close to the exhaust pipe mount
you lucked out getting it back in correctly

[aoeu]

Xirdneh, after your description there is no doubt in my mind that it was the reverse pin plug. I thought it was odd that the fill plug was too small to fit a finger in. It makes sense now why the linkage was messed up.

Thanks!