how mechanically inclined are you? if you are comfortable doing so, pull the shifter off and see if it is working correctly off the trans.

 

You thinking its the linkage PNY? My first car somehow got 2 gears at once in the linkage. I had to remove the shifter and manually use my finger to set it.

 

Hi: I had the shop at my college check the shifter, they said it was working properly.

 

Drain the fluid look for pieces. Something is jamming the reverse shifter rod from moving the gears.

With the fluid drained go under the car and move the tail shaft back and force to try and dislodge the blockage. You may need to have someone in the car trying to put in reverse while you do this.

 

I second what Daehawk said about the linkage. I had that happen after I did the clutch in my car. It was doing almost exactly what you described, just with second gear.

 

if its not fied by now it will never be,........very old thread

 

I get this is an old thread. But did anyone by chance figure out the issue? My 02 is doing the exact same thing his was..

 

Did you ever figure it out? I have the same issue!😕