I hate the way my car shifter feels. 1st gear is the worst gear to shift into. Once in a while It won't even go into 1st, and I'll have to start in 2nd. Other times the shifter will go half way into position and then fully engage when I lift the clutch pedal a few inches. 50% of the time it'll shift normally. All other gears seem to be ok but it doesn't shift into gear as smooth as I'd like.
I've driven cars that shift into gears smooth as butter. They feel like the shifter isn't connected to anything below. I know I need a new clutch because occasionally it'll slip at RPM's 6K and above in first gear, and it now engages high in pedal position. What exactly is the problem?

 

I have the same EXACT issue with my car! However, this is exactly the same thing that happened when I had my H23. I have no idea what is causing it either. It's mindboggling since it is happening on two different trannies.

 

hey put some PROLONG in it

 

assuming you've already tried a transmission fluid change?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lenn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">assuming you've already tried a transmission fluid change?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I wouldn't think a Trans Fluid change would make a difference. Wouldn't it affect all gears if that was the case? I mainly can't get it into 1st gear half the time. The feeling of shift into other gears might be another issue....I would think.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by budget &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hey put some PROLONG in it </TD></TR></TABLE>
ahhaha...no I didn't put Prolong Transmission Treatment in! But I might put the 1/2 bottle of Lucas I have left in it!

 

Check your clutch fluid. If it's very dark, flush it out

 

Bleed/replace (if it's worn) the clutch, and change the fluid.

Pirate

 

"I know I need a new clutch because occasionally it'll slip at RPM's 6K and above in first gear, and it now engages high in pedal position."

heh, sounds like you need a new clutch man! smugness aside. your car is displaying the same symptoms as my old 89Si lude. in beginning, 1st gear became very hard to shift too and it would slip at top end of first and second. then I couldnt get the thing into gear at all after it wore down far enough. I had to start the car in gear at every stop in the few hours before dropping it at my friends gagarge for the clutch replacement.

having said all that, but.... is it a possibilty that your losing clutch fluid? hows the fluid level? if not enough fluid in there due to a leak, your clucth wont engage all the way Id imagine...

Note im not a pro, far from it, learning more like... but those too things seem pretty obvious ones to check first.

OH ya, and then of course, failing all that... get your tranny rebuilt. My gf learning to drive stick on our 98 lude blew a couple of shifts on the highway... after that, we rapidly lost reverse and 5th, followed by 1st and 2nd. limped it to garage on 3rd and 4th gear . that was not fun

 

I have changed the following and it still happens:

Changed:
-Tranny
-Clutch master and slave cylinder (flushed fluid obviously)
-Using Synchromesh tranny fluid
-New clutch kit (complete clutch with TO bearing)
-Forbidden SS

It still behaves this way.

 

Andy- What fluid are you using? Redline and other track-ready fluids are pretty thick, and can cuase this "iffy" engagement thing... I just bought some of the "new improved" honda MTF to try on my 97 SH. Try mixing in the Honda MTF or GM Synchromesh FM to smooth gear engagement and any grinding you may have. The new honda MTF they made more like synchomesh IMO to stop grinding and help engagement.

My snchro's don't grind, but engagement is a little "forced" sometimes in this cold weather.

Edit: And then I read your whole post and saw you tired syncromesh LOL

I read all the rave, went and boght synchromesh, then read that everyone said to use Synchromesh FM - doh!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AuburnRyan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Andy- What fluid are you using? Redline and other track-ready fluids are pretty thick, and can cuase this "iffy" engagement thing... I just bought some of the "new improved" honda MTF to try on my 97 SH. Try mixing in the Honda MTF or GM Synchromesh FM to smooth gear engagement and any grinding you may have. The new honda MTF they made more like synchomesh IMO to stop grinding and help engagement.

My snchro's don't grind, but engagement is a little "forced" sometimes in this cold weather.

Edit: And then I read your whole post and saw you tired syncromesh LOL

I read all the rave, went and boght synchromesh, then read that everyone said to use Synchromesh FM - doh!

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I am using Synchromesh now. When I had my old H23, I was running new Honda MTF. It did the SAME EXACT thing. If the car rolls more than 3mph, I can't put it into 1st. Also, sometimes when I am in neutral, getting into 1st isn't consistent. Sometimes it slides right in, other times I have to put the shifter back in neutral, pump the clutch one time, then try again to put it into gear. Most of the time that works. Also, sometimes when I attempt to put it in 1st, it will go halfway into gear. If I was to let the clutch out, it would grind. However, if I SLOWLY let the clutch out (approx. 50% of the way released) it will allow me to shift into first without grinding.

If someone could explain how this same problem can occur on two completely different trannies, I would like to know.

I know one guy who had a USDM 93 VTEC Prelude who could put his car into first gear while going 15mph without any problems. Mine barely lets me into first is if it's rolling 3mph.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> If the car rolls more than 3mph, I can't put it into 1st. Also, sometimes when I am in neutral, getting into 1st isn't consistent. Sometimes it slides right in, other times I have to put the shifter back in neutral, pump the clutch one time, then try again to put it into gear. Most of the time that works. Also, sometimes when I attempt to put it in 1st, it will go halfway into gear. If I was to let the clutch out, it would grind. However, if I SLOWLY let the clutch out (approx. 50% of the way released) it will allow me to shift into first without grinding.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have this problem. when i try to put it to 1st and it doesn't go, i then shift to second and then right back into first with the clutch in a the whole time and it usually goes. the only thing i can think of is the problem lies somewhere in that the cables have to much slack. seems like the rods in the civics are better.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AndyD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have changed the following and it still happens:

Changed:
-Tranny
-Clutch master and slave cylinder (flushed fluid obviously)
-Using Synchromesh tranny fluid
-New clutch kit (complete clutch with TO bearing)
-Forbidden SS

It still behaves this way. </TD></TR></TABLE>

this is usually what causes these problems.

why it doesnt fix it is beyond me. the fuuuck

 

try adjusting you clutch.
set the engaugement point higher. that fixed mine.

 

i always put mobile one 0-w20 syntec in my tranny also
works great
i will try torco in my tranny next

 

I have some problems with 1st and 2nd when its cold outside on my 97 base. This week it was -30c with the wind and I had to completly stop to put it in 1st, but I think thats normal since everything is frozen. After a while it goes in easy. Is it doing it for you when your engine is cold or all the time?


Modified by jardolei at 3:26 PM 1/19/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92hondalude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try adjusting you clutch.
set the engaugement point higher. that fixed mine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Andy,
Changing the engagement point worked for me as well. (I don't know if this applies to you) After I had put in my new competition clutch, the engagement point was so low to the floor that when I pressed in on the clutch pedal, the pressure plate "fingers" weren't moving enough to completely disengage the clutch. Thus, I couldn't put the car into any gear. By adjusting the threaded rod on the clutch pedal, I was able to completely disengage the clutch & easily shift into each gear.

I also love Honda MTF!

- Chris

 

Thanks for all the help. I haven't tried anything yet because my schedule doesn't permit it as of yet. I haven't checked the fluid, but I'll do that tonight probably. I'm getting an Exedy Stage 1 clutch today also. What do you guys think about the DC Sports Short Shift bracket? I know it won't solve my issue. But, doesn't anyone have pictures of this installed?

 

Doesn't the lude have a lock out so you cant put the car into 1st gear if the car is moving at all?

usually when I have trouble getting the car into first I just let the car roll back a bit and it slides right into first no problem after that.

 

i have the same problem some times the car wont go in to 1st gear but than i put it in to 2nd and back to first and it goes in.

 

sorry I can't help, but i'm having all the ECACT problems you are having. my tranny was fine when i had an m2bd, or at leats not as noticeable, but i didn't have that very long, somehow i sprung a leak in tranny fluid and transmisisons don't liek to be ran dry... completely broke the teeth on one gear and half of another.. i'll post pics if I can find them, andyways, after swapping in a 176k mi h23 tranny, it sucks ***. i'm assuming it's all syncros. best I can see to do is get a low mileage m2b4 from an importer of motors, and use honda MTF to keep it running good. at leats that's what i'm going to do

 

dont run the dc sports ss. i had one and hated it, it actually made it harder to shift, switched to the forbidden sport ss and all was well. it was more expensive but was def worth it.

 

had same problem where i couldnt go into 1st half the time, changed the tranny fluid, seemed to work for me, cold weather is hurting mine also

 

where does the clutch grab?

i used to have a big problem with this because my clutch engaged really close to the floor. I adjusted my engagement and my shifting and gear selecting turned to butter.

dunno if it would help you, but it helped me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nonvteclude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dont run the dc sports ss. i had one and hated it, it actually made it harder to shift, switched to the forbidden sport ss and all was well. it was more expensive but was def worth it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

OK, Where can I find that? How much does it cost?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98vtec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">where does the clutch grab?

i used to have a big problem with this because my clutch engaged really close to the floor. I adjusted my engagement and my shifting and gear selecting turned to butter. dunno if it would help you, but it helped me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

My clutch grabs at the upper 80-85% of the pedal. It sucks and it's weak. I've got almost an inch of freeplay at the top. That's why I'm picking up that Exedy Stage 1 in about an hour! I've driven another SH with a Stage 1 and it grabbed WAY more...seemed to put way more power to the ground. Totally difference experience!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DK-Kip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">had same problem where i couldnt go into 1st half the time, changed the tranny fluid, seemed to work for me, cold weather is hurting mine also</TD></TR></TABLE>

I do notice that it being cold makes it worse. After I drive it a bit it starts working fine, with every once in a while jamming up like it does. I'll try changing Tranny Fluid. What's the best you guys recommend? Honda MTF?