5 speed wont go into 1st gear

[dustyb]

2014 with 155k miles trans only has 48k replaced it a little over a year ago. Thread here: https://mirageforum.com/forum/showth...rear-main-seal

Fresh off my battery overcharging issue, now it wont go into 1st gear unless i double clutch and i'm almost completely stopped. Its become very inconvenient when i'm slowing for an uphill red light and it turns green. If i'm too slow for 2nd gear and it wont go into 1st i have to slow to nearly stopped and double clutch into 1st. With only 48k on the trans i wouldn't think the synchros are worn out. The other gear changes aren't what i'd call smooth, but they aren't difficult in any way.

Got 2 quarts of Redline on deck for a fluid change this weekend.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Dusty

[Fummins]

Have you ever adjusted the clutch cable?

When down shifting to 1st maybe try shifting from a higher gear like 3rd or 4th instead of 2nd then first and see if that's easier. It's not a cure but a work around. I would hope they syncros aren't worn already, if so either you got a lemon, it's low on fluid and clapped out or the only other explanation lol.

[MetroMPG]

Subscribed.

Hopefully it's just the cable adjustment. I had the same symptoms happen after swapping transmissions once, but it was *immediately* apparent. Cable adjustment fixed it.

But you replaced this trans many miles ago.

[dustyb]

I have not adjusted the cable. this trans has been in the car for 27k. It had 21k on it when i got it. Do synchros wear out slowly? This just kind of happened suddenly on my way home from work a few days ago. Can someone link the service manual procedure for cable adjustment?

[Top_Fuel]

Check this related thread...

How to adjust clutch engagement point

[Fummins]

A few people had the clutch cables break at the transmission side. Something else to look for(ward to).

[foama]

@ dustyb


What you describe is exactly what happens with any manual if the gears are not switched correctly!

When changing gear, you hold the gearstick with thumb and two fingers. You start moving the lever slowly towards where the next gear is with ever so little pressure, and then wait! Yes wait, for a second or so until the gear plops in by itself. Don't let the shape of the knob fool you into applying force.
Should you use any force at all, the synchro rings will suffer wear, and gears will become more and more difficult to engage time after time!

If you yank the gears race car style, the synchro rings will be worn out in no time.


What can you do now after the synchro rings have become worn?

1.) Put thinner fully-synthetic gearbox oil in. You have Redline or Rowe brand GL4 75W or 75W/80. Thats perfect.
2.) Learn how to change gears properly!
Doing both points above, you might get by without further repairs. It will certainly help some, but If that fails to help enough, either:

Replace the transmission ($$$!!!)
- or -
Replace the synchro rings ($$)

No matter what you do from there on, let the gears simply plop in by themselves, and most important, don't apply any force on the lever!




Just in case, you could also check the clutch. See:

[Wallythacker]

@ dustyb


What you describe is exactly what happens with any manual if the gears are not switched correctly!

When changing gear, you hold the gearstick with thumb and two fingers. You start moving the lever slowly towards where the next gear is with ever so little pressure, and then wait! Yes wait, for a second or so until the gear plops in by itself. Don't let the shape of the knob fool you into applying force.
Should you use any force at all, the synchro rings will suffer wear, and gears will become more and more difficult to engage time after time!

If you yank the gears race car style, the synchro rings will be worn out in no time.


What can you do now after the synchro rings have become worn?

1.) Put thinner fully-synthetic gearbox oil in. You have Redline or Rowe brand GL4 75W or 75W/80. Thats perfect.
2.) Learn how to change gears properly!
Doing both points above, you might get by without further repairs. It will certainly help some, but If that fails to help enough, either:

Replace the transmission ($$$!!!)
- or -
Replace the synchro rings ($$)

No matter what you do from there on, let the gears simply plop in by themselves, and most important, don't apply any force on the lever!




Just in case, you could also check the clutch. See:

So what you're saying is not to reef on the shifter like Hercules when shifting from 1->2 @6500RPM, without using the clutch.


The very few times I've played Schui the car shifted fine through all the gears @redline and no clutch. It's a little *****y to downshift w/o clutch but a blip of the gas fixes it.

I'm trying to imagine how damage would result since the synchros won't move unless the RPM aligns the next gear in the chain.

[klroger]

I'm trying to imagine how damage would result since the synchros won't move unless the RPM aligns the next gear in the chain.

The syncros are like a little brake that slows the rotating assy down so the speed is the same on both parts so the shift collar can engage. The syncros don't move, they just match the speed of the shift collar. Here's a quick vid to kinda show it.https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...tail&FORM=VIRE And yes, quickly jamming & forcing shifts will wear the syncros & cause grinding & hard shifts...

[Wallythacker]

The syncros are like a little brake that slows the rotating assy down so the speed is the same on both parts so the shift collar can engage. The syncros don't move, they just match the speed of the shift collar. Here's a quick vid to kinda show it.https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...tail&FORM=VIRE And yes, quickly jamming & forcing shifts will wear the syncros & cause grinding & hard shifts...

Makes sense but what causes me to pause is my Dad drove a cement mixer for ages. When he taught me to drive it the clutch was only used to start out and do full stops. They had 20 year old mixers in the yard with nary a tranny failure.

And....what brand summer yard equipment, bar honda, is reliable and parts are available? I think that's your trade?