Car won't shift into first gear
 

So I've been having trouble shifting into first while I'm completely stopped. If the car goes into motion a little it will allow me to go into first but other than that I usually have to push it into third (which has no problem going into third while I'm stopped) and then shift into first so that I can go. Any advice??

How many miles on your car? It could be the clutch release bearing going out. Or your transmission fluid needs to be changed.

Completely stock or have you changed anything?

When you get into first try this- stop the car with the clutch in and car in first. Does the car want to stall out if the brakes are on or creep forward with the brakes off?

Welcome to the forum ......... :clap:


Are you new to manual transmissions .. ??

How long has your car been doing this ..??

How often does it do it ... ??

If I had to guess, I would guess that the clutch is out of adjustment.


humfrz

Gears are a series of teeth and roots. In order for 2 gears to mate, or mesh, the teeth of one gear must be matched with the roots of the other gear. If in a static state, they are facing tooth to tooth, obviously they cannot mesh.

And since 1st and reverse are almost never synchronized, you must manually "synchronize" the gears by either selecting another gear then going back to 1st, or simply going back to neutral, release the clutch, then go back to 1st. This allows the drive gear to re-orient itself. This condition will occasionally occur on any manual tranny. It is NOT a defect or malfunction.

Both of my MR2 Owner's Manuals included those specific instructions if you had difficulty selecting 1st or reverse.

As KendallH asks, how many miles on your car?


Being unable to shift into first at a stop is also an early sign of a worn clutch disk/pressure plate.

Gogo dealer asap dude! Sounds to me like TOB...if car is new...which is what I am assuming.

^ What he said

It's got about 38,000 I got it used around November. Also my first two cars I've had prior were a clutch so I don't ride the clutch to wear it down. Also the dealership I got it from said they put a new clutch on it before I bought it. So maybe just transmission fluid would be a start??

No it still stays running. But if I were to try to force it into first it will stall out from that

the next question coming at you is gonna be. turn the car off. put the car in 1st gear. start the car with the clutch all the way down (<--obviously LOL) with the car still in first. whats it do? make sure there is nothing in front of u when u do this just incase. does the car sit still (dont hit the brakes) or do you feel it creep or hop when car turn on.

-if it creeps then clutch could be going out/bad/worn clutch fluid leaking Master clutch cylinder going out. alot of time if its leaking or master clutch cylinder then you will lose the pedal ever now and again

No matter what 38k is under 60k warranty so its covered unless ur modded or tuned

Can you get it into reverse? If yes, it's not the clutch.

goose it and pump the clutch ending down then try to engage first while the input shaft is still spinning