Shifting problem on my 92 SE

[drifts14x]

Hey there, I hate to ask transmission questions on the engine forum but I figured that when it came to motor/transmission questions you guys would know best. As of lately, my car has been giving me a great deal of trouble with first gear. I used to move the shifter in 1st gear's general direction and it would go in, but as of this last week, it tends to go into third instead of first. Also, I used to be able to put the car in first at 15mph and use it to slow down, but now it refuses to go into first at any speed over 5mph. Are the syncros bad? Is there something I can do to fix it? Roughly how much will it cost(I'm a high school student)?

[drifts14x]

bump

[Ajax]

I have similar problems with my transmission. I'd think it would be a synchro problem as well. I'm just going to wait until I can do a full rebuild of engine and trans. In the meantime I've noticed that revving a bit to match engine and transmission speed can get you into firstDouble-Clutching- the savior of a 200000 mile old transmissioin.

[kahoots240]

Its a longshot it could be your throwout bearing going.?

[Altiman94]

1st gear does not have a synchro

[Ajax]

89s and 90s did not have synchros, 91-on did. At least I'm pretty sure (I'll double check on FSM tonight)- I remember there being some difference between the test drive on the 89 and my current 91.I don't know about the throwout bearing as that would mean my 3 year old replacement is doing worse than the one that was in the car for the previous 70k old bearing.

[Arrow]

I had my 4th gear bearing go out on my 90 and to get the thing rebuilt cost me about 1200 bucks! I kissed my upgrading plans good bye... Now after the rebuild I have the same problem as you, well with the car not wanting to go into 1st gear at much faster than 5mph. But that is b/c there isn't a syncro in 1st gear. So if I want it in first I just rev the engine to match the rpms that I would have at that speed in 1st, and all works great. Probably didn't help answer your question, sorry.

[TachyonS14]

On my dads 87' Nissan pickup, It also has to come to almost a complete stop before it will let you put it into first gear. Also, he's been complaining of it grinding after long freeway drives. So, I did some research and we put in some Penzoil Synchromesh Gear oil in the trans. And wow! this stuff really works! The shifts now are even smoother than my 240! This transmission has 250k miles on it! and no more grinding, AND he has no problem putting it into first gear at 15mph.

So the moral is, go down to your local Autozone and buy some Penzoil Synchromesh for $5/qt.

[Ajax]

91 on has first gear synchro- checked my FSM. That's all, I don't have any more ideas.

[DGA]

Try some Red Line Shock Proof gear oil. When my '01 GTI's trans was missbehaving this is the first thing that the dealership did. It helped.