MT doesn't like 2nd gear
 

I've been dealing with it for a while now but it's starting to drive me nuts. My car hates 2nd gear until it warms up. When first taking off for the day it won't go into 2nd gear probably 90% of the time so I usually skip it and go straight to 3rd. I've tried shifting at different rpms, double clutching on the upshift, and blipping the throttle all with no luck. By the time I get that first 1/2 mile under way it improves but it is still not smooth. Reverse is difficult as well, just have more time to fidget with it as I don't need that gear in traffic. Think I'm gonna try and get it in this weekend to have it checked out.. Anyone else running into poor shift quality on the MTs?

its sometimes a bit notchy until it warms up, tbh it is as I expected... some g/b's are probably smoother than others but my friend used to have a classic that you absolutely could not select 2nd gear in until it had warmed the gearbox up enough...

1) how many miles do you have?
2) have you tried replacing the trans fluids?

All manual transmissions are like this, it seems. It's normal.

Same thing here, its really hard to engage 2nd when cold, after a mile or so things smooth out. But every time i shift the second gear (when warmed up) i feel a crunch (jar of marble) but above maybe 4k rpm everything shift like butter. I will start switching oil asap and ill see.

Over 3k on it now. Going to take it in and have it checked out, it's also idling just over 600. The crunchy feeling kind of describes it; it grinds like the syncro is bad almost, and that's if it even goes in. Just got done driving it and literally couldn't get 2nd gear until I got back to work almost. It's very clunky feeling all the way through but more so in reverse, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. IMO it shouldn't shift like shit, it's a brand new car

There are already threads on this and this appears to be normal for this tranny.
But this will help (works for me):

1. get a heavy countersunk shift knob
2. go into neutral and wait 2 seconds and slide down to 2nd gear slowly.

Do #2 until it warms up. I will try Redline fluid later when i get a chance and see if it helps. I used to have the exact same problem with my S2000. GM Syncromesh seems to help a little with my S2000.

I'll try a new shift knob and see if I can have them put a different tranny fluid in, I've tried delaying putting it into 2nd, pumping the clutch, blipping the throttle, double clutching, even at a stand still it won't go into 2nd gear until its warm. I end up having to rev out first higher then I want when cold so I can jump straight to 3rd and not be lugging the motor

heres something that always worked for me in my last mt car that had the same issues... put the car in second and start the car, sit there for 30 seconds put into first and drive off, i never had a problem after doing this trick

or you can do what i did in my friends mr2, if you are good driving the manual, use second gear to start then drive normally(only use second to start moving the first time, after that use 1st to get going at the next stop) try these two if you can...

and i know starting the car in 2nd does wear the clutch but only by a minor bit if you do it to get the fluid moving in the morning... it really isnt that bad...


either way we shouldnt have these issues... or leave the car in nuetural and sit there, the engine will move the fluid around so its not so cold...

It work thx ! I tried this morning and no resistance from shifting to second gear beside the usual crunch lol

I've noticed this as well recently. It happened yesterday. Wouldn't go into second when I pulled out of my road. I went to third, got to the bottom of the hill, then when I pulled into the main road, it went in. Seems like it just takes time to warm up now. Possibly it's happening since the weather is getting colder at night/morning.

I'm also noticing the clunk when I put it into second. Only happens the one time and doesn't happen when it's warmed up.

I'm already coming from a car with a history of a shitty 2nd gear (which is actually the fault of the clutch system) so I have zero interest in repeating this all over again. I'd consider this a deal breaker.

One member tried replacing his transmission oil, seems to have solved the issue for him:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15019

+1 on the 2nd gear grind... 1st & reverse = hard to shift into as well.

I'll try the tips above next time and see if it helps.