ngh98civic

So just purchased a 98 civic dx 4-dr with around 150k on it. I like it alot so far. but i do have a problem with 2nd gear. i can shift from 1st to second no problem but if i dont hold the shifter back hard it will pop out of second every time. if i down shift to second from third it will imediatly pop out and grind sencond lightly. I am not very experienced with manual trans's but assume sychro's might be bad. it does have a short throw shifter if that changes anyting....but is there a way linkage could be the problem?

thanks in advance for help!

Nick

apexi_rsx

not a linkage problem. it most likely is something messed up inside the transmission usually its a bent shift fork.

Linked

the synchro teeth may be bad and won't lock in,

a bent shift fork may affect 1st as well as 2nd gear and may not go into gear at all

ngh98civic

thanks guys...im searching for DIY write ups on this now. thanks!

Nick

sde780

Are your mounts bad? Excessive engine/transmission movement could pop it out...

ngh98civic

i thought about that sde780, because when i take off from a stop i feel the shifter kind of move front to back....but then again would this make it prone to happen in all gears or 2nd and 4th? idk....

nealnanoHX

Yeah check out your mounts they mat be bad. IME when you have a gear popping out it is normally time to replace the trans.

ngh98civic

ok well definetly going to check the mounts before i do any trans work. its not a race car, just a work car, so i'm not terribly worried about it its just annoying and embarrasing...oh and there's a fart can on it which....has....to...go...lol

thanks guys for your input - Nick

Mr.bucket213

If anything is gonna be your back engine mount because when you click first ,third and fith gear the shifter pulls out the pin from transmission and when you click second,fourth gear and reverse the shifter push the pin in the transmission and the engine moves tors the firewall causing the gear to pop out.

94EG8

Countershaft bearing on the bell housing side walked out of the case. You'll need to pull the transmission and open it. The bearing needs to be tapped down and staked in a few places to keep it from walking out again. I've seen this several times now. DO NOT hold it in second gear. Skip second until you can get it fixed.

Shifter movement is normal. The shifter is directly connected to the transmission with a bar type linkage. When the engine and transmission rocks, so does the shifter. I can almost guarentee you mounts are not the problem.

ngh98civic

Thanks guys i will look at it tonight.

getting windshield replaced tommrow by safelite. so money is going to be a little tight. And just ordered a new IACV and TPS sensor because it was throwing those codes and running bad. hopefully be driving it by the weekend.

Thanks again! Nick

ngh98civic

so my wife needs to drive the civic like a 1/2 miles with our kids today so i threw everything back together and started it. i put the IACV in with the valve closed and since it isn't opperating correctly i had to pedal it to keep it running. so i adjusted the idle screw and started it back up and for the first 10 seconds i had to give it a little throttle then it smoothed out and idled around 900 just fine. i had a IACV and TPS CEL codes before i took it apart, so after getting it running i shut it off pulled the back up fuse gave it a few minutes started back up and drove for about 10 minutes with no issues and so now i'm confused because i just ordered a new IACV and TPS for it which are on their way to my house...i might not put them on i guess untill i have another issue with them.

didn't get a chance to "check" the engine mounts...

Nick

94EG8

I would create a second thread in regards to your other problem. I'm moving this one to transmission and drivetrain for better responses.

ngh98civic

Anymore thoughts? I drove it to work today and when slowing down and down shifting to second it goes in fine and then as I release the clutch it pops out. Just saying this to give some more info on what its doing. Hope it helps. Thanks Nick

94EG8

Unlike most (or probably all) of the other people that responded to your thread I've actually built a bunch of these transmissions. I've seen this issue numerous times. The transmission has to be pulled and partially taken apart.

ngh98civic

ok thanks, I'm looking into a rebuild kit or possibly a lower mileage used one for 400 bucks...which seems decent price supposed to have 80k on it or so... then maybe getting a rebuild kit for the current trans and build it and keep as a spare.
sorry i'm sure you get alot of the same qustions here. thanks for your help!! its much apreciated!
Nick

94EG8

$400 for a DX tranny is steep, really steep unless it's from an importer. Price varies by location but I wouldn't pay anymore than $150 for one.

ngh98civic

thanks for the advice on what to pay for a used one i "thought" 400 didn't sound to terrible but when compared to 150 it really is. Thanks for your input and sharing your experience. Nick

Blown90hatcH

This or a worn out bearing as well. Seen it quite a bit.

94EG8

Yeah, the top bearing with the groove for the snapring. I've seen it but much less often than the bottom bearing walking out, I'd kind of forgotten about it really.