My 2008 Honda civic 5 speed manual transmission will not go into reverse.any ideas please help

Greetings & salutations Robert Avila,

(First question on FIXYA... Welcome).

Your engine surging and what gear you
"DOWN-SHIFT" to ... ought have very little in
common save for one condition (I can think of)...

Your clutch RELEASE is MARGINAL..!!

Check your master/slave clutch cylinders to see
if there is any leakage (fluid might also be low)...

These are not EXPENSIVE and USUALLY fail
in pairs...

If the surging happens with the clutch released... that
is a WORN CLUTCH DISC (replacement time)...

Actuator (slave)
2005 HONDA CIVIC 2 0L L4 Clutch Slave Cylinder RockAuto

2006
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/honda,2006,civic,2.0l+l4,1432766,transmission-manual,clutch+slave+cylinder,2044

Activator + reservoir (Master)
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/honda,2006,civic,2.0l+l4,1432766,transmission-manual,clutch+master+cylinder,1996

Else (not-so-easy (certainly doable))... CLUTCH DISC
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/honda,2006,civic,2.0l+l4,1432766,transmission-manual,clutch+friction+disc,10605

Standard Information...
STOCK (less than $35 (assuming only wear)):
More Information for PACT 99661D

Honda is almost a DELIGHT to work on...
Mechanics manual is a MUST.

MOST IMPORTANT tip of this entry...

NEVER EVER ever let the weight of the transmission
be SUPPORTED by the input shaft...

You will be proud.

Carnac the Magnificent

Sounds like the sink rows are going out or has a warn shifter fork if you can get all gears without running it needs a cluch

- Check the spark plug cords sequence (1-3-4-2).
- Check the ignition timing.
- Check clutch plate for slippage (Manual Transmission only).

The timing belt is wrapped around the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets in the engine assembly.

Go to google and type in 1998 honda civic 5 speed transmission exploded view ,that should be helpful

It's internal transmission issue
most likely a rebuild

the vss is located a top of the manual transmission, near the fire wall, there are two sending units on the transmission,the first one is the reverse light sending unit, and the other one is the vss,

Basically you should have the vehicle's reverse circuit pressure tested by a certified ASE Transmission Repair Shop.They will be able to tell you if there is a blockage in the cricuit, reverse shift solenoid is on its way out ,or a gearing problem even if there is a manual shift valve issue. Good luck

Providing there are no oil leaks at all, some transmission stabilizer may help. Any experience i've had with a whining 5 speed, is not good. Usually it's a bearing on it's way out. Try some of this, and see if it makes any difference. RISLONE® TRANSMISSION STABILIZER

It could be that your syncro for the reverse gear is gone. Which would have to be brought to a tranny shop not a do it your self type of job.