MX-5 Miata Transmission Disasters from Mike's Place 

Thanks very much for the tip. I had this tramission problem today. Towed the car home, watched your video and fixed it within 10 min. Saved me a trip to my mechanic, you are truly the KING OF MIATA.

For all those out there with the same problem, don't forget the washer when putting the reverse switch back in, or else (although you are back in neutral) you'll' be unable to gear into reverse A big Thank You to the King!

I think we all know the automatic transmission disaster is the simple fact that they exist.

He really talked about transmissions the whole time wearing a crown. Absolute chad energy

This was a great post but you should let people know that the reason the cars are getting stuck in reverse in the first place is because of that shifter repair kit the bushing for the shifter is all you need if you just switch the sensor its still going to get stuck in reverse. Your video on replacing that shifter kit is great - you should redirect them there to fix that problem as well

T.sindt again, just finished installing reverse switch, all hints were observed,switch hooked up, and the test drive was a pleasure. Best of all, I saved a thousand bucks I didn''t have and was able to use the $200.00 I did have for a shift kit, upper and lower boots, and a new (rebuilt) clutch master cylinder. I can't thank you enough, as "mechanics" in my town don't know how to do a decent compression test. LOVE my car. And am grateful to you, sir

Yes, this is common on the 91 and earlier transmissions. You do not need to remove the transmission to repair it. The cause of this is that the nylon bushing below the shifter is worn or has deteriorated. It is a $3 part. If you did not replace it, then you will need to or the problem will happen again. Somehow with a worn bushing, the two shift rods were put in to gear at the same time. Next time that it happens,remove the shifter knob and boot. You will then see three bolts holding the shifter in place. Remove them and pull the shifter out. The bushing to be replaced is located on the very bottom portion of the shifter rod. Then jack up the car and look on the left side of the transmission about half way back. The reverse switch sensor is located there. It has two wires coming out of it. Remove that and get a #2 screwdriver that is really short. If you stick your finger in, you can feel a groove in the rod just inside the hole. The groove will be just rearward of the hole. Stick the screwdriver in and pry the rod forward until it moves and makes a click sound. Go back to the top of the trans and see if the rods are centered. If they are, then the two U shaped portions of the shift rods where the shifter bushing sits will be aligned. Place the shifter in with the new bushing and install everything back including the reverse sensor.

Hello Mike MiataKing, My 1990 Miata had a problem with the reverse switch (stuck in reverse) and I watched your video for repair tips. The tips you gave worked well, but I found an easier way to access the Reverse switch. Instead of reaching under and up for the switch, I found it easier to cut a small square in the carpet and cut an access panel into the metal, making it simple to access both wiring and the switch. Thanks for the info!

BTW, the Haynes manual has this under "5-spd Transmissions; "Remove it and take it to a pro". So helpful. May god keep you and yours safe. My deepest thanks, alec

HOWdy M-M-K, Thanks - Finally someone who will address the older Mazda "NA" MIATA with an Automatic Transmission 🙂 thank you for the information on the "LARGER" & "smaller" Vacuum-Modulators ... and the Vacuum PORT Location all very USEFUL = I wish I had located your CHANNEL a few years ago ... Thanks Again COOP ...

my manual did this very thing. a borrowed transmission has kept me rolling, but now i can repair the original and reinstall. thank you for this information, you truelly are the king.

Hello Sir Brendon, Yes, all automatics have a neutral safety switch so that the car will not start in gear. If the car will not start in park try neutral. If it does start the problem could be the switch or adjustment. Thank you for your input. Mike. The King of Miatas.

Thanks for this. The reverse switch is the same on the Probe/MX-6's manual trans, and I was wondering why it was so hard to pop OUT of reverse after changing the switch. Turns out I forgot to swap over the copper washer you mention in the video. This establishes the proper clearance to the shaft in the trans. It worked just fine after I added the washer. Thanks again.

Hello Sir Burn2Crash, Thank you for the warm comment and yes if you leave off the copper sealing washer the switch will jam the shift rod and lock up the reverse 5th shift rod. Mike. The King of Miatas.

The indicator for a bad reverse switch is the car will remain in reverse and not shift into other gears except for neutral. If you are having other problems, the Miata King has a few great ones on diagnosing and repairing Mazda Miata manual transmissions. They helped me out a lot. Good luck, Charlie!

MIKE - you are indeed the Miata King. Your video explains why I stuck in reverse while assamble the gearbox and shift the gears for testing - while the reverse switch is not bolted in. Thanks a lot! Marco

I wish I had seen this video earlier. I had to figure this problem out in a shopping center parking lot. Got it done without taking it to a shop. Thanks for the information about the update switch.

Hello Sir Jared, This problem is in the chassie, first step the hold button switch is intermittent. You need a wire map and test lamp to check the wires down to the trans and solinodsGood luck. Mike. The King of Miatas.

Thanks man i had to get towed home today, looked online found this and know this is the problem. Thanks for saving me all my cash

Hello Sir Rush, You are certainly one of the Loyal Members of the Miata Kingdom. Through all your trials you have kept the Faith. At this time forward you will be known as Sir Knight Rush. Mike. The King of Miatas.

I wish that I could meet you and give you $50. My son has been crying for the past day because his car is stuck in R and this will hopefully get him sorted. Thank you so much Mike!

Hey Mike, I've recently got a 2002 se. This is my 2nd Miata. I just wanted to get another cause I miss my old 99. Rescued it from the crusher expecting it to just be a little rocker rust as the previous owner said. He's from Illinois where they salt the roads. We also expected it to be a blown head gasket. When I got it home I found frame rust around the front, it's gonna need quite a bit of new metal and when we opened her up, the nodules were all rusty and fuzzy and we cleaned it up but the whole thing is frozen up. So we went and bought a new engine, and now the guys pulling out the engine are having a problem with the engine being siezed to the transmission by the clutch so they've been soaking it for 3 days. Still not budging. They're saying it may not be as big of a thing if we had the transmission. The tranny was the only thing that was iffy cause we didn't know if it was going to work right and shift smooth in the first place since everything else was rusted. May get a new transmission but my dad keeps reminding me that I'm throwing all this money at a 2000$ rust bucket but I just found out about 2 weeks ago how rare this year of the special edition is. I'm also realizing how rare those 6 speed transmissions are. I may end up using this car to learn to weld on and it's in this beautiful silver with the saddle interior, I've never seen a Miata like this but I know you've seen so many Miatas in your time so what do you think man?

I think you were right about the noise, but the hard shifting and no power problem was fixed with a new modulator valve, thanks for the video!

Hello Sir Maxwell, The problem is a bad 4th to 5th hub and sleve set. To fix, the trans will need to come out and the tailshaft case removed to expose the damaged parts. Will not need to open the main box. Good Luck. Mike. The King of Miatas.

I have an Automatic 95 Miata and i had the same issue with mine. it started smoking just as you described and I thought I had bad valve seals and guides, so I rebuilt the head just to find out the Modulator vale was the whole problem. I didn't notice it was that until the transmission started shifting real hard I checked the fluid and it was not even one the stick. I checked that vacuum line and it had trans fluid in it. $55 modulator and $20 of fluid it was good as new.

For everyone having this problem and the sensor replacement isn't fixing it, there is 3 bolts, 2 next to eachother and 1 an inch away from the others, and those are ball and spring detents, that help push the gears back into neutral, mine were weak and I will either have to replace them or pull them to make them springy enough to help not loose gear

This is good to know my man...thanks!!!...I just picked up a 93 with 146k miles hopefully it will do good for me replaced slave cylinder already it was leaky next on list is a radiator and belts/hoses...not leaking yet but I for see it soon.

just had this happened @ 19:30 pitch black .....thank you soooo much for this video !!! im going to tackle this tomorrow morning all hail the king

Thank you very much Mike, I really appreciate it 💪😆 You are definitely the true king of Miata's!! Enjoy your day

i have a 93 miata that seems to be slipping. the rpms have to be higher than normal to drive. the strange part is that while stopped at a red light the car would want to jump forward while you are still on the brakes.

Your Majesty, I have an auto-trans that the fluid level keeps going down over a couple weeks. I now think it could be the modulator. I have not noticed smoke from the exhaust but I don’t always look or maybe it is just not that severe yet. This past week I was at a red light and went to go and the car just sat there as if it were in neutral. I was about to replace it with a 5 speed manual but I may be able to save a few bucks now and do the tranny swap when I have more money.

Hello, We have boosted auto trans miatas to 10lbs without failure. But expect failure and be ready with time and money with your auto boost Mission. Good Luck. Mike. The King of Miatas.

Hello Sir KC, Sounds like a shift rail problem. Remove or loosen up the reverse switch to see if the problem changes. If not it could be a reverse / fifth gear hub problem. Good Luck with your mission. Mike The King of Miatas.

Thanks for saving me a thoudand bucks. Stuck in reverse for a month in my driveway and was ready to shell out for a new trans (the disaster you speak of) when I was directed to your site (the internet, to be precise) and after removing offending switch, used allen key to push back rod and Viola' I had gears again. Have gotten all parts together to rebuild shifter and boots (still MUCH cheaper) Second trans for my 90, but this trans is a 95. so here's lookin at you, king. t.sindt Dunedin Fla.

another thing, shifters on automatic miatas dont always lock into place so if your car refuses to start, put it in neautral, move a little and put back in park

Hello Daoskee, Sorry, bad news, you have unbolted a bushing that holds the shift rod in place. To correct the issue you will need to remove the transmission then the tail shaft case. Good luck with your mission. Mike, The King of Miatas..

Hello Sir Narval, The sound you hear, a rushing pump type noise, could be the coming from the automatic front pressure pump. Time to see a automatic transmission specialist. Check your transmission fluid level first, warm engine running and transmission in park. Good Luck. Mike. The King of Miatas.

The disaster we had with our old Miata is a HUGE mustache hair actually got wound around the works and jammed the whole process up ....turns out some guy named Mike had worked on that poor car during a shed season....strange but true ....not sure how common a disaster that even is...

This video saved me from replacing my transmission! Thank you so much, Mike!!!

do you have a video showing how you removed the tail shaft of the transmission? my bearings were shredded and i removed my trans from the car and have it half way apart.....almost, but i cant figure how to remove the tail shaft........

2016 and older is a disaster. Did they ever fix that issue?

my sister had this problem while waiting for a ferry, missed it because car wouldn't start because when she went to put it in park the shifter didn't lock into place. I noticed yes It definitely has the neutral switch and steering lock but my Miata is the only car where it doesn't have a transmission lock. When the car is off and key is not in ignition I can still just move the shifter through all the gears

I wonder. Did the mazda company ever fix their transmission problems. I 2016 was a disappointment

I wish this was true to what happened to mine... Everything in this video is EXACT but my dad being a mechanic of 36 years sent it to one of his buddys to get checked out and when they tore it apart the found a broken shift fork all the pins in the fork and many other parts where bent and chipped! And to make it better the guy could not find any parts for the tranny so now we are hoping the machine shop can make the parts... Only had the car for 1 week and this happened :'(

Hey Mike, my automatic transmission does something different. I'm losing fluid a good bit and when it hits third and fourth, I hear a rattling noise like a coin being tossed around. When I push the gas in more, the noise is louder and heavier. Someone said it was a 'tail shaft bearing'. Do you have an idea on what it could be?

Finally, someone who knows the Mazda Miata. I'd love to ask you a question or two. Do you have a web site for questions?

Hi Mike, the Miata gb is now in my TR4A and it works lovely, Thank you

Hello mike, I have a 1999 Miata with and automatic, now a couple weeks ago the coil pack went out while I was 2 miles from home (I didn't know it was the coil pack at the time, I thought it was a cogged injector as I've already had a lot of problems out of the fuel delivery but that's all fixed now) so I tried to make it home but about a mile away the engine use blew, the cluster went out and a ball of flaming embers shot out of the pipe that the previous owner cut off at the axle. Now that I have replaces the coil packs and have installed a full, proper exhaust, it starts just fine but when I try to drive it the reverse works just fine, no problems, but as soon as I shift into "D" the engine fuse blows and it acts like it has slipped out of gear i.e. high rpm and little power. Someone told me to check this video because it has the answer but I'm not so sure the modulator is my issue, or is it? I'm thinking the excess heat from the exhaust misshap fried or melted something?

wow a king of miata..Thanks for taking your time to help the citizens.

Mike once again saves my life

Thanks, Mike! My car is stuck in reverse. Now i know what to do to fix it.

Mike, I've read that Mazda had a service program to try to fix this issue without pulling the gearbox, which involved replacing the switch and also removing two washers under the detent spring retaining bolt. Can you tell me where this bolt is? If the washers are still present, can I unscrew the bolt and remove them myself? Do you know anything about the process for replacing the faulty rod?

Miata King MIKE!! I have an auto tran (1992) that makes terrifying knock/pang noises whenever I switch through gears. (not to mention several other noises at other times) The shifter itself rocks/wiggles back and forth as I'm braking, starting to roll and/or over bumpy roads. I removed the console and peeled back the piece the shifter is cradled in. HOWEVER, I don't know what I'm looking for. Any simple starting points?? Bushings? Tighten one thing or another? Things to be careful of?

Hello Squire Josue, Your problem may be in the shifter turret. Watch the video something may be wak. Good luck with your Mission. Mike. The King of Miatas.

soooo glad i stumbled across your video, wondering for an automatic transmission if that vacuum modulater would effect the shifting at high RPM before it shifts. i was thinking just old transmission fluid so changed it and the filter but serioulsy 5k rpm sometime before shifts and going up a hill shifts in and out, so gonna park it til know how to fix - thanks for your input and will subscribe to the kings channel

sometimes my transmission won't go into reverse at all. I just go through all the gears a couple times and it lets me do it

Suggestions: Sounds like your trans is done. Time to have someone else with knowledge that a look and confirm the verdict. Good Luck, Mike. The King of Miatas.

My 2000 Miata 5-speed transmission is starting to get very difficult putting it into reverse. I'm thinking it may need a rebuilt transmission but don't know if there might be a simpler fix. Fluid was just changed and I use it for track days.

15/16th socket? U are the miata king

Hello Sir Anthony, You should pass on that Miata. Sounds like a real problem. Mike. The King of Miatas.

@08moonshine i have an automatic eunos roadster (rhd miata) and it natually has rough shifting in lower gears, Its made that way, its supposed to be funner than honda civics

Hello Miata King. For someone who knows everything about Miata‘s, other than transmissions. Do you know why low and highbeams will not be working? Other than bulbs being burned out, not getting any power to headlight plug. All fuses good, relays good,Headlight switch assembly good. The Japanese even head a fuse box tucked under driver side of the dashboard. Being the king of Miata’s, any other possibilities you can think of?

Hello Sir Aaron, Great Balls of Shooting Embers. Wow Great Story, One that you can tell for ever. But your story has it's own answer. The Fire Balls damaged the auto trans wire loom and when it receives the signal for Drive it blows the fuse. Look under the Miata " Shooting Star " for fire damage at the auto trans. Good Luck with your " Forth of July Special " Mission. The King of Miatas, Mike.

Knowledge is power, thanks for sharing the info.

Forgot to ask this - what is that rubber boot - a square rubber boot at the bottom of the transmission ?( I removed that boot thinking it was the reverse light switch. I put my finger in and I could feel a metal rod inside ).

Mike, where were you when my '91 got stuck in reverse and my expert mechanic made me replace the unit at more than $1500! When I found out about this simple 10 minute fix, I could have throttled him. I didn't but I could have! Needless to say, he's not my mechanic anymore. I've got a '99 Miata now, also with a 5-speed. Does this problem happen with my year car, too?

Mike I have a '99 and the clutch and tranny got screwed up during clutch install. again I put new clutch disk but now... Shifter movement in neutral feels free, returning to center. It goes into 1st & 2nd solid. Third gear goes but doesn't feel solid like 1st & 2nd. Fourth gear feels caught at the gate with no movement. Fifth and Reverse seem there but again, not like 1st & 2nd. Thanks

thank u, just in case i run into the stuck reverse i kno what to do u r the king mike

I had a feeling you'd say that. Thanks for the response!

Just to make sure though, over tightening it would cause those symptoms? I can get it in gear if the engine is off, then almost clutchless shift (atleast feels like it) up into fifth.

great video...i'm taking care of my wife's 1990 miata with automatic transmission--- well over 300,000 miles and still gets 30 mpg... after seeing this video, i have to get a diaphragm modulator.... now i have to find out why it's using oil...any ideas ?

Your Highness Mike, I don't know if you have answered this one, but it seems to be a problem that plagues alot of Miata owners. When I am decelerating with the transmission (manual) engaged there is grinding noise from possibly the transmission, usually 1-4, sometimes there is some noise when accelerating as well when the engine is lugging. Some people say theirs occurred after a clutch change, some people say theirs fixed after replace transmission or rear differential. Do you know the real reason?

1991 Auto Miata. Car shifts hard but drives okay for about a minute, then no power goes to the wheels and I hear an almost superchargy whine. Do you think this would fix that?

Mike, I have a problem that's similar but not just like this one. I just replaced my clutch. When I put everything back together and fired her up, I could shift through five gears but not into reverse. I drove to a transmission shop, and one of their guys checked it out. He managed to shift it into reverse with great effort. So, now I can shift into and out of reverse with great difficulty. It's harder and stiffer to get out of reverse than it is to move it into reverse. I replaced the reverse switch, but I don't know what gear the transmission was in when I did it. Would that matter? Also, I fiddled with getting the shifter back in. Could I have damaged that without realizing? Great video! This is the closest I can come to a solution for my issue.

I know i'm late to the conversation, but i'm on my fifth reverse light switch since i bought my used 1990 NA, with most of them lasting around a year. Is there anything that might be causing them to fail? My husband says he's done replacing them and the car has to go. He said he overhauled the shifter when he changed the fourth switch.

Saved the video and did just what the guy said and worked perfect. Thanks for the video

Dear Mike, I have MX5 2005 1.8cc and I am in Uganda in which these cars are not known. I have a problem that the 3rd and 4th gear is not engaing. It is like pushing aginst a wall the 4th gear sometimes enters but it pops out again. I need your help please. The car was inported from the UK. many thanks

hi mike, ive taken out the switch and lifted the rear so it wouldnt have rear tension. ive attempted to switch the detent back but it wont click back, itll budge but it slips back into place.

Hey, Mike I got an issue with my manual transmission. I have 1995 mazda miata, 150,xxx miles on it, and changed the clutch with throwout bearing about 7000 miles ago, now it makes noise while I'm in 1st -5th gear, when in low rpm and when I quickly release gas it does that noise like metal shield scratching... the noise only comes on low rpm...some people are saying it needs grease between clutch cylinder + throwout bearing. Now I'm researching, people are saying its input shaft bearing... I haven't got time to grease it or buy bearing yet...I'm not sure which should I attack first.

Btw, none of this worked for me. Replaced the switches and it still gets suck in reverse and 1st gear. Thoughts? I just may have to take her to a shop.

Hi - I also remove the center console, and the entire shit stick out. When I look down inside, I only saw some light dark fluid - is this transmission fluid ? ( some public comments indicate that I should replace the nylon brushing at the end of the shift stick which I did not see - the shift stick ends with a little round metal ball ! )

Im currently rebuilding a 1995 Miata transmission. I have rebuilt several 85 rx7 transmission and they don't have the reverse shift rod spring. Can I leave out the reverse shift rod spring? Because of the problem they cause being stuck in reverse.

Mike- I love your speaking style!

Hey Mike, I have a 1992 miata automatic and its slipping from 1st to 2nd gear. It will rev real high then shift....not sure if its the vacuum modulator or vacuum leak???? I checked the vacuum hose and it seems to be fine....any ideas????????

Nevermind I fixxed it. Thanks for the assistance! !

i tried what you said and was able to drive the car but when i put it in reverse, it got stuck agian. the new rv light switch that i received came with a green and red wire. does it matter on how the wires are plugged back into the clamp?

Thank you miata king you may have just saved my wallet and my depression lol im going to try to see if my miata will go reverse in neutral now

That issue sounds like what I have going on right now on my 5 speed 1990 Miata. It locked up when trying to start off from a stop. The gear shift will go into gears 1,2,3 & 4, but won't move into the 5th gear or reverse. it just can't move laterally to the side from neutral to select either one of those gears. When put in one of the gears it will go into, and the clutch is let out, the engine starts to die. But when the gear shift is in neutral and the clutch is let out, the car backs up. And the backup lights are on all the time. The car will move with the engine off and the clutch pushed in when the car is pushed by hand. Does this sound like a bad reverse switch? Or a broken transmission? The only thing that differs from what you said is the part where the gear shift will move into all positions. But mine can't, it won't let reverse be selected, even though it's in reverse. If you've heard of this situation let me know. Do you have those reverse switches on your ebay store?

i have a 1990 miata5 speed and it won't go into reverse or 5th gear ,i watched a video showing it being a slide selector or spindle selector ,can this be replaced without removing the transmission ,Thanks Gary

Just happened to my sons car, thx for the info.

the new rev. switch was not black plasitc it looked brass. do i still need the washer if it is not plastic?

hi, my 1993 Miata is stuck in reverse but also stuck in 3rd gear. What should i do?

Can you do a video on the Miata NC1 automatic transmission problems?

Thanks for the vid it has been a great help but have one question I've done everything in your video and it works but my transmission has done this 3 different times now within 3 months. I have 1990 miata 5 speed.

You are the king Now time to work on my car

where is the full mark on 1994 miata x5 automantic

Hey Mike, I have a problem. My NB was also stuck in reverse yesterday and I did exactly what you explained in your video and my NB was working fine again till I went to grab fifth gear on the highway. Every gear is working but fifth, and I'm wondering if it's because I didn't put a copper washer on the switch cause I feel it got lost. Now if the copper washer is the problem, what dimension washer would i need to solve this problem? Please help 😢😢 P.s: You are definitely the king of Miata's and I really appreciate your videos and support Thank you very very much 😉😁😉

Hello, There is more than one way to "Skin a Cat" Thank you for your input. Mike. The King of Miatas.

hey mike gotta question. i have a 94 miata that has no overdrive. i have swapped tranny for a reman one and still no overdrive. hold button works and light doesnt stay on. what could be causing this?

Hey mike love your videos and I'm stuck in a pickle aswell I need help my transmission is in no man's land I got frustrated and push it super hard into 5 gear but it made it worst and its still in reverse please I need help asap