Hello,
I have a 2000 ITR. In first gear my clutch engagement is very jerky. I hope I'm describing that right... I let my sister drive it and she agrees that it doesn't engage very smoothly. Her Si is so much easier to get rolling smoothly. Also, sometimes when I have the clutch engaged and I shift into gears I hear it grind, usually only in first or second going slowly. I have an appointment with the dealership tomorrow, and I'd like to go in there sounding like I know what I'm talking about. I don't want them to give me an "excuse" because I'm a woman. Thanks in advance for your help.
Lisa

 

Does this problem happen when downshifting to 1st? Or is it from the 1-2 shift??

 

Twice from a stop while trying to put it into 1st gear. I'd have the clutch in attempt to put in gear, grind, pull back try again, grind, release clutch engage clutch, it works. Second time, I had to press and release the clutch twice. I feel like my first gear doesn't work right. Or would it be the clutch?

 

Sounds like it could be a problem with the synchros, but I'm not sure. Is there anyone else here that can help out?

 

When you can't get the gear into 1st... try putting it into 2nd gear, lift up on the clutch, push down on the clutch then proceed to put it into 1st. This trick always works.

 

Some times if the tranny isn't warm it is a little hard to shift smoothly.

 

I think it's just a Honda Oddity. My 93 accord does that as well as the R... the R did it right off the lot. SO I'm guessing it's just a strange thing... SOmetimes it helps to shift into 1st just before you stop... but I find if I stop and sit in Neutral, and then the light changes to Green when I try to go into first... It wont.. it just feels like something is blocking it... let the clutch out a little put it back in and it usually goes in.. if not then the second gear idea above works. I think they will most likely tell you there is nothing wrong with it at the dealer. You have another 3 years and 50,000 miles to figure out if it's really a problem. WARRANTY!

 

What about the jerkyness(sp?) of the 1st gear engagement? I have two friends with type r's. One's a 2000 and the other is a 2001 and neither feels like mine. I don't know how to explain it but, there's just engage so much smoother. It's easier to drive off in 1st gear in their R's. I wish I knew more technical terms to explain it. Any advice? Should I just go in there and tell the dealer to check my 1st gear synchros?

 

You've perfectly described what I've been seeing with my 98. I noticed it about a year into ownership. It seemed to get really bad, and it went away. Now it only happens occasionally. I can't believe that this is a "quirk". Not being able to get into first in an emergency is DANGEROUS.

The most likely situation is you're siting at a light, and it's time to go because of a flashing green. Oh oh, no 1st, now the guy behind you is all pissed and honking.

What if you see a truck behind you who's just lost his brakes, and you're stopped at an interesection. You need to get up and go... I don't think this is an acceptable state of affairs. This is a problem, and should be fixed.

 

R748: you are right... if you are trying to get out of the way it would be a bad time to have it happen. But This spans over many years. Do you think Honda knows of this problem? And they just don't do anything?

TC: I'm sorry I misunderstood... Do you mean that as you let the clutch out, that rather than being smooth it's Jerking.. this could be one of two thing... actually probably others but these are the things I thought of... 1. The clutch disk is warped... Maybe it was overheated (someone riding with teh clutch somewhat depressed can do that) 2. a bad motor mount will do it... . If you are talking about say once teh car is moving and you try to go faster the jerkiness is usual for manual cars. Your directly linked to the wheels and the only thing that will give is the motor mounts and a bit of play in the trans. So the jerkiness can be eliminated by being REALLY smooth on the gas pedal. Just my 2 cents.

 

I guess my clutch disc is warped, as that's the symptoms you're describing. However, I never ride the clutch as that's something that's always been stressed to me. If the disc is warped is that a warranty item? I don't believe I caused any of the damages. What do you guys think?

 

It's so hard to diagnose without driving the car... I say take it to them, what's the worst they can say? It's not like they will say "bad owner, no type r for YOU..." but they can be jerks, and especially to women. I have made it a point to arm my mom with all the facts before she takes her car anywhere and I drill her on the phone so they don't think they are dealing with someone who has no clue, and it's helped. It's amazing the stuff that dealers will try to pull over... I especially love the "fuel injection cleaning" WHATEVER.

 

my 2001 itr with 6k miles on it started grinding 3rd gear badly. i went to the dealer and they ordered me a new 3rd gear, with no questions asked. it most be a common problem if the mechanic know what the problem was without even hearing it.

 

When you took it in, were they able to duplicate the problem?

 

That's exactly what my hybrid does. I went to the dragstrip my first time out and ran a 14.6 @ 92 mph. I know I can do better than that, but I was having trouble shifting into gears. Not sure if the tranny might have been cold or what from waiting in the staging lanes.

TC ~ just take it to the dealer either way. Good luck!

 

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm taking it in now.