1st gear problems

[pstickne]

First off, I know my transmission is going out--3rd gear syncros are dying (124k miles and someone learning to drive a stick will tend to do that...)

Anyway, my problem is that sometimes, but not always, shifting into 1st gear is a pain. I have to "jam" it up there--kind of like when you try to shift to 1st when doing any descent speed [or is that just another problem in my transmissions?]. At other times though it shifts nice and smooth (esp. when engaged right after going in reverse or when slightly rolling or, sometimes even at a dead stop). Doesn't make any noise.

Is this related to a 1st gear syncro issue?

Anything I can do?

Will it give me more of a warning before it completely dies on me?(Maybe a nice little "Danger Will Robinson! Danger!"...)

I can see a transmission swap comming shortly

[240sxJay]

You sure it might night be your clutch that is trying to grip but is slipping. Find out how long ago the clutch was changed, and if it hasn't been change, change it. Even if it isn't the solution to the problem you would've need a new clutch anyways. I have 81,000 miles, clutch is still good though!? hmm

-=Jay=-

[captain nismo]

My first gear does the same thing. I cant shift into first if im going more than like 15-20kph. Its annoying sometimes because than you have to take off in 2nd at like 800rpm...

[Kaizen]

I think I read that there is no syncros for 1st gear due to safety issues of 'accidently' dropping into the gear. You will have to rev match it. I'm not sure that this is correct. I can only shift into first <10mph.

[corn322]

Its annoying sometimes because than you have to take off in 2nd at like 800rpm...

very anoying. 'cause then the whole car reverberates and it's so damn slow to get up to speed

[p00t]

although ive gotten used to it now, when i first started driving shifting the car first gear was the bane of my driving experience... would not want to go in most of the time and id slip it into third in my vane attempt to shift into 1st and.... well i didnt excellerate very well

after "learning" the transmission, i found that i could get it into first almost everytime by not pushing straight up, but at an angle. basically move the shifter all the way to the left then push up and to the right a alittle... goes in everytime.

worth a shot maybe? all the other gears engage with normal vertical pressure.... oh well

[i2ice4m3]

i thought the trannys were designed like that as a safety issue. It's like that in most other stick shift cars i've driven.

[pstickne]

Update: I adjusted the clutch pedal an don't have the 1st gear problem any more (it still doesn't want to engage above a very slow speed, but I can accept that as a "safety issue").

The symptons seemed to get worse when the car warmed up and I'm thinking their might be air in the clutch lines ... something to address soon.

[dareo]

My transmission doesnt always like to shift perfectly into gears. It can take a little force. I either use the force or i double clutch and it drops very smoothly. (release clutch fully in neutral, depress again, drop into your desired gear)

[SloMoe]

My transmission doesnt always like to shift perfectly into gears. It can take a little force. I either use the force or i double clutch and it drops very smoothly. (release clutch fully in neutral, depress again, drop into your desired gear)

I have the same problem going into 1st sometimes too. Double clutching always works for me, I dont like to force it though.