Let me know if anyone can figure out what's happened here. I can't figure out what's wrong with my car...

My car is a 2000 Accord 4cyl 5spd. It's been running great until yesterday. When I try to shift (especially between 2-3 and 3-4th gears), it feels real heavy and stiff. It's actually pretty much impossible to put it into 3rd or 4th gear. You have to push and then let go, then try again and it slides smoothly in. This happens whether the car is on or off. It doesn't make a difference.

I thought maybe it was the tranny fluid so I dumped that and re-filled it with new tranny fluid but that didn't help. I checked the clutch cylinder fluid and it's fine (sorry if that isn't the right terms). What else could there be?

What's wierd is if I keep shifting between 3rd and 4th really fast, it starts to get smooth and then for a little bit I can shift normally but then after a couple tries, right away it gets stiff and heavy again. Please give me some suggestions. THANKS!

 

Still have a warrenty? There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) in the dealers about faulty clutch master and slave cylinders on the 5spd 6th gens. Thats what I think it could be.

 

I don't... but that sounds like something I should look into. Thanks. Any other suggestions while I ask the dealer about it tomorrow?

 

Hm. None that I can think of right now. Best of luck!

 

Well, called honda and they said there's no recall but from what I explained and done already, they think it's the clutch master cylinder... oh well...

 

Well, your car is under warranty nevertheless, so drop it off at the dealership!

 

That's the problem. I got 75k on the car now. Passed the warranty a while ago. sucky for me...specially cuz i was trying to sell it right now too. I've taken such good care of the car...

 

Sounds like to me the synchros for 3rd and 4th gear are ALL fucked up. you can replace them, not sure about the price, I dont know if thats even the problem, but i can't think of anything else.

 

I doubt it's the synchros because usually doesn't it first start to grind between the gears as the synchros go out? It's been running perfect until two days ago, it just wouldn't go into those gears. Also remember it happens when the car's on OR off.

Either way, I'm taking it to Honda and will let them give it a shot. If they tell me it's the master cylinder...blah blah blah, maybe i'll just pay them the $40-60 for looking at it, drive it home and do it myself. I found a master cylinder brand new at manchester honda for $20.