# Car which couldn't be shifted into Reverse: Does pumping the clutch pedal help?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-which-couldnt-be-shifted-into-reverse-does-pumping-the-clutch-pedal-help/73239>\
**Category:** The Show\
**Created:** [June 27, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-which-couldnt-be-shifted-into-reverse-does-pumping-the-clutch-pedal-help/73239 "2012-06-27T07:25:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-which-couldnt-be-shifted-into-reverse-does-pumping-the-clutch-pedal-help/73239/1 "2012-06-27T07:25:07Z")

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I had this problem one time w/my Corolla. It would only shift into Reverse if I quickly pumped the clutch pedal a couple of times. The problem was easy and inexpensive to fix. I replaced the clutch master cylinder. Not shifting into Reverse can be a symptom of other more difficult to repair problems, but if pumping the clutch pedal helps, consider the clutch master cylinder as a potential cause.

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**Author:** ![Hokiedad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/439d5e/32.png) [@Hokiedad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hokiedad)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-which-couldnt-be-shifted-into-reverse-does-pumping-the-clutch-pedal-help/73239/2 "2012-06-30T03:17:06Z")

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ETCG has a video on replacing both master and slave clutch cylinders in a Civic. Well worth watching to see how easy it is.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-which-couldnt-be-shifted-into-reverse-does-pumping-the-clutch-pedal-help/73239/3 "2012-06-30T03:28:48Z")

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Thanks, I’d enjoy to view that vdo, but what do you mean by “ETCG”?

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**Author:** ![Hokiedad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/439d5e/32.png) [@Hokiedad](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hokiedad)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-which-couldnt-be-shifted-into-reverse-does-pumping-the-clutch-pedal-help/73239/4 "2012-07-01T00:40:10Z")

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Eric the car guy.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-which-couldnt-be-shifted-into-reverse-does-pumping-the-clutch-pedal-help/73239/5 "2012-07-01T04:03:35Z")

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Thanks @Hokiedad, I found it by Googling. Looks instructive.

I also found an excellent utube vdo on repairing toyota starter selenoid contacts in the process of looking for Eric’s vdo, so two birds w/one stone today. I think eventually these kinds of instructional vdo’s will be available for most econoboxes & for most repairs that can be done in a home garage. The car manufacturer who provides these will be first in line to get my $$ on my next new car purchase.