NEED HELP!! 5th gen gearbox/transmission issues
Ok so I just bought my 98 prelude vtir yesterday....
Earlier today my car stopped going into first gear, and whenever I'd try it would go into third instead... even though it'd be in first gears position.
however, if I went down to second gear and THEN first it would be all good, so I wasn't TOO phased.
Then five minutes later I heard a bit of thud and now all I've got is my third gear. Doesn't go into any other gears and the gear stick moves quite freely now...
Can anyone tell me what precisely is the issue here and and a recommendation as to where I should go to get it fixed? (As in a place that won't rip me off and will do a good job)

I've done a fair bit of reading and it seems to be a problem with my shift linkage + shifter cables.

 

Sounds like linkage or cables. Have someone shift for you with the car off and look down at the top of the trans. You should be able to see othe other ends of the cables. If they are moving through each position properly then it may be an internal issue. If they aren't moving the way they should then you have cable or linkage issues.

 

zzzzzzz i try every single forum and no one ever wants to help me
>=[

 

yeah I'm pretty sure it's the shifter cables/shift linkage
my symptoms are identical by comparison to others whom have solved this issue via replacing the shifter cables/linkage

how much should I be expecting to pay for the work??

thanks you mr roachy

 

It's a fairly simple job that can be done with basic tools. Remove centre console, disconnect cables from shifter, remove intake piping from filter to throttle body, disconnect shifter cables from trans, pull through firewall and install in reverse order. Make sure you inspect the shifter itself and nd the transmission shift rods for proper movement before reinstalling.
If you are taking it to a shop be prepared for at least 1 hour labor charge. You may get hit with diag fees as well.
On another note, while you are in there, you should pick up a set of twm performance solid shifter bushings. They are daily inexpensive and make a noticeable difference to shifter feel.

 

before u replace anything, make sure that the two lines are connected to teh transmission. there should be a cotter pin in each one of them holding them in place. feel the line while someone shifts too and see if its making it to the trans. might just be loose underneath the shift boot too. if not ur screwed lol. usually bad noises and a super wiggly shifter equals transmission destruction. hard to know too when u said u just got the car so no real previous knowledge of the transmissions condition. id also flush out the old fluid and put new honda manual transmission fluid while im messing with it to know its running as good as it can.

 

Yeah so it's definitely my shifter cables/linkage, I can see it snapped and dangling.
I have searched and searched EVERYWHERE for 5 th gen cables... and no luck. That's about 10 different wreckers...
I have read though that It is possible to get the shift plate and cables from an old accord or 4th gen prelude and install in the 5th gen with a slight modification to the base plate.

Now I'm just wondering if you guys can help me figure out which model accords are compatible for my 5th gen vtir. Cos accord parts are real easy to find around here, so I just wanna make sure that I get the right ones

Thanks guys

 

when my cables stretched in my 5th gen i tried to put the 4th gen cables in and ended up just putting the cables and shifter since the cables didnt fit the 5th gen shifter too well. preludes are rare in yards here in Houston, i got lucky. personally i would look for new cables from amazon or ebay.