I didn't see anything about this type of issue in the FAQs and I only found one other thread with a similar issue but it was unresolved. So lets try a new thread instead.

I have a 2004 Civic DX Coupe with the 1.7l and a manual transmission with 104k miles. Last May ('23) I had a throw-out bearing go on me mid drive and I had to clutchless shift on the way home. Apparently, the throw-out wasn't completely disengaged, because when I had a shop put in a new clutch, a bushing on the input shaft was ground down and wouldn't hold the new bearing properly. As a result, I purchased a JDM transmission for $450 and they put that in. I haven't had issues since then, until now.

However, yesterday I suddenly was unable to keep the trans in second gear. It would pop out when letting out the clutch. There was no grinding when going into gear, and no grinding when popping out, just won't stay in 2nd. 1, 3, 4, 5, R all work fine. Now, I can over rev 1st gear and shift to 2nd, holding it in gear while I let the clutch out. Then I hold it in gear while I accelerate until ready to shift to 3rd. This only works when accelerating. I cannot get it to work downshifting or going slowly, just grinds. Obviously not a sustainable way to drive.

I have read a few other threads, on other forums, about a similar issue. Typically, they go like this: engine/trans mount replacement fixed the issue, fluid change fixed the issue, loose/bent gear shift linkage replacement fixed the issue, or trans rebuild fixed the issue. The kicker is this; JDM transmissions have supposedly a max of 100k KM on them so internal issues doesn't seem likely, the shop that installed it should've put new fluid in, so I don't suspect that issue, I recently had a state inspection and they only flagged one motor mount which I then replaced. That leaves a loose or bent shift linkage. This may be the case since 2nd gear is the furthest from the transmission (2nd is the back left and the trans sits on the right side of the engine/car). Shouldn't the shop have noticed if this were the case?

The core of my question is really, are there any steps I can take to properly diagnose this?

I don't want to do a trans rebuild since this is my daily for now. I don't trust the shop for other reasons, so even if they warranty their work I'd rather do it myself at this point. I still have my original transmission and if a rebuild kit is cheap, I might attempt doing it on that one since it is already out of the vehicle.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Update: I had to drive the car today. On the way home I started to get the same behavior from 4th. This seems to indicate it is not internal, in my opinion. Hopefully its just something to do with the linkage. I will update further when I investigate.

 

Update: Shortly after my last post, I removed the stick boot and saw that the ball at the bottom of the shifter was split in the assembly. I worked it around and sprayed some lithium grease in there. After driving it for the past week, I haven't seen the behavior again. I suspect the problem will return with time so I will try to get a new shifter assembly in preparation.

 

The tranny should be inspected for any wear/damage from when it was popping out of gear , I think