Hello, I recently bought a BX in the USA, and it's quite rough and needs some fixing! It's 19 TZI, and was swapped from automatic to manual from a GTI(?) at some point long ago in its life, and the transmission definitely has a couple quirks, but for now just focused on one thing:
I am trying to figure out what I'm missing to get the reverse lockout working, because 5th gear is very sloppy and doesn't like to return into neutral before grinding on reverse a little bit unless you move it a certain way. I've already addressed the spindle bushings under the shifter boots. While I know the actual issue with 5th gear lies elsewhere, does anyone have a better source for parts diagrams, or able to get a photo of what's underneath their shifter boots for the reverse lock-out? I potentially want to design and 3D print something if the part is hard to find, but I have no clue how its supposed to work and am hoping someone can be of some assistance lol
Photos or diagrams of reverse lockout parts for GTI(?) transmission?
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OttoKad
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Jaba
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Re: Photos or diagrams of reverse lockout parts for GTI(?) transmission?
There were two types of gearbox fitted to the BX. If your gearbox has the 5th gear directly above reverse then there is no reverse selection lock. The early boxes had reverse at the top left hand position and had a selection lock on the gear lever as pictured in your post.
Which type do you have?
Which type do you have?
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
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OttoKad
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Re: Photos or diagrams of reverse lockout parts for GTI(?) transmission?
Huh interesting. Mine has reverse below 5th, but has the spring collar on the lever, it just doesn't connect to anything.
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Jaba
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Re: Photos or diagrams of reverse lockout parts for GTI(?) transmission?
Yes you've got the wrong lever fitted there. You also might have wrong gearbox shift links too I suppose. Try removing the 5 gear link (the ball joints should not have play) and manually select and deselect 5th gear. If it feels vague compared to other gears then you can remove the end cover and see the 5th gear and selection mechanism to see what has gone wrong.
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
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OttoKad
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1994 Mitsubishi Pajero Mini
2009 Mazda 6
Re: Photos or diagrams of reverse lockout parts for GTI(?) transmission?
Been away from the car for a bit. Slight update, one bushing was loose, but manually moving the levers on the trans still felt sloppy. After fixing up the bushing and reconnecting everything, reverse is the only gear where everything is properly solid, whereas the other gears have varying levels of play and vagueness. First gear likes to grind and pop out occasionally, and fifth gear still has the issue of needing to be pulled to the left if I want to avoid a crunch into reverse.
It's probably due for a proper transmission inspection at the very least, and I'm sure I may have to drop it. Is there a good way to identify precisely what kind of transmission I may have installed? I'd think it's a BE3 given the 1.9 engine, but the the long longitudinal linkage looks similar to an MA transmission where there's a bit of a bend before connecting to the L bracket. I'm using the 205 as a reference and am not sure if BX linkages would be different, but from online reference images I don't think a straight linkage would work. I can provide more photos when I get a chance
It's probably due for a proper transmission inspection at the very least, and I'm sure I may have to drop it. Is there a good way to identify precisely what kind of transmission I may have installed? I'd think it's a BE3 given the 1.9 engine, but the the long longitudinal linkage looks similar to an MA transmission where there's a bit of a bend before connecting to the L bracket. I'm using the 205 as a reference and am not sure if BX linkages would be different, but from online reference images I don't think a straight linkage would work. I can provide more photos when I get a chance
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Russelltill
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Re: Photos or diagrams of reverse lockout parts for GTI(?) transmission?
On these B-Series 5-speeds, the reverse lockout is part of the shift mechanism rather than simply a missing piece under the boot, and the transmission uses a 5th/reverse shift rod with a cam-type lockout. Since yours has been converted from auto, I’d first verify that the correct shifter, lockout parts, springs/balls and linkage are actually present and adjusted correctly. The sloppy 5th/neutral movement could also point to wear in the shift mechanism or internal 5th/reverse components, so I’d check the related bushings, detents and Spherical Roller bearings before designing a replacement part. The factory parts breakdown does show wheel hub bearings and the 5th/reverse components separately, which may help identify exactly what is missing. If you can post a photo of what’s currently underneath the shifter boots, that would make it much easier to tell what you have versus what should be there.
Last edited by Russelltill on Tue Sep 15, 2026 2:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Jaba
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Re: Photos or diagrams of reverse lockout parts for GTI(?) transmission?
You have a BE3 box fitted but the gear lever is for a BE1 box because it has the reverse lock there. Your whole gearchange setup may therefore be the cause of the selection issue as the BE1 links are not the same length as BE3.
We need some fotos I guess to see exactly whats what. Peugeots did use the same gearbox.
We need some fotos I guess to see exactly whats what. Peugeots did use the same gearbox.
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.