Scottish Elises

Mate's wife's S1 has developed a new fault that selecting reverse is murder when it is hot. Is this a common thing? Linkage?

More likely indicative of clutch issues. Bleed through fluid in the first instance.

First action as it is an S1, check if it has a plastic red clutch hose, look under the bonnet. If it is S/S braided then that rules that out, so you will be looking elsewhere.

tut

Mine was the linkage plate

*not very technically minded* but can this not be an issue with the "red hose" also which is an easy check whether you have one or not? Also I had the problem with the little clips that hold the cables in and quick fix with new clips and cable ties to hold in place (undertray off job)

Well not so stupid sounding afterall, at least other people thought same as me

I'll try and look for pics for you!

If I remember correctly its those two wee clips shown. They can sometimes slip down but not fully out which can affect just some gear. Hope someone can clarify if I am talking total rubbish or not

If the clips fall off, then you would lose more than just reverse, or at least i did on my old S1 with the K series in it. Definitely an easy check though.

Thats what I meant, should have said it properly. The clips can slip a little and affect just some gears rather than fall out and affect all

Just that should affect it all the time rather than just hot though

That is actually what happens Scott if the clips slip part off. Also the bell crank assembly down there needs checking as well, tis made out of green cheese and can flex or even split, therefore not giving full movement.

tut

think mine has/had a cable tie in the region of the linkage, might have something to do with why my gear shift is like stirring porridge and engaging a gear often involves a forceful movement...

That sounds as if the cross gate and the front/rear linkages need adjusting. Best done on a garage ramp with one in the car and the other underneath doing the adjustments.

tut