Manual Transmission getting stuck in gear or won't go into gear - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

jpeaslee · 09-26-2026, 09:38 AM

I bought my 13 BRZ last year. It sat for awhile while I was fixing somethings, but these problems have existed intermittently since I bought it.

Sometimes the transmission gets stuck in gear after it's been parked. Sometimes it's virtually impossible to get into neutral, other times it's just very stiff. Typically after that, it's pretty much impossible to get into gear. It just won't go. I can let the clutch out in neutral rev it up a little, clutch in, and it's like I'm hitting a wall. Usually after sitting/fidgeting for 15-20 seconds, it'll suddenly go into gear (usually 3rd or 4th) and then it will go in the rest of the gears fine.

I have an IRP shifter, and for awhile I thought it was related to that. After watching several install vids, and looking at how it's installed in my car, I'm having a hard time understanding how it could be related to the shifter itself.

I tried searching, but couldn't find much reference to this other than just the clunkiness that can exist shifting between 1st and 2nd, and it's definitely not that.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm planning on replacing the trans fluid this weekend to make sure it's not related to that somehow, or to see if there's any crazy shavings or anything in the fluid. Beyond that, I'm kind of at a loss.

DarkPira7e · 09-26-2026, 09:51 AM

Check the adjustment of the clutch pedal.
I'll blame that IRP shifter all day though- put a stock one back in and see how it is.

pope · 09-27-2026, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpeaslee

I'm having a hard time understanding how it could be related to the shifter itself.

If it's the shifter, and I'm not saying it definitely is, but if it's the shifter it's probably because the stock shifter bolts to the transmission and moves with the transmission, whereas the IRP shifter bolts to the chassis and does not move with the transmission.

Ohio Enthusiast · 09-28-2026, 08:08 AM

If it shifts fine (barring a bit of dog misalignment in some gears) with the engine off, the clutch is not fully disengaging. If it has the same issues with the engine off, it might be the shifter. As noted by @pope, the IRP bolts to the chassis instead of the transmission via the carrier, so a misadjusted IRP shifter can result in impossible shifting. Follow the instructions online on how to adjust it.

Tokay444 · 10-01-2026, 11:17 AM

I've had the disk lock up to the flywheel when one of the damping springs exploded out of its pocket and got sandwiched between the two.

09-26-2026, 09:38 AM	#1
jpeaslee Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 02 Toyota 4Runner Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Manual Transmission getting stuck in gear or won't go into gear I bought my 13 BRZ last year. It sat for awhile while I was fixing somethings, but these problems have existed intermittently since I bought it. Sometimes the transmission gets stuck in gear after it's been parked. Sometimes it's virtually impossible to get into neutral, other times it's just very stiff. Typically after that, it's pretty much impossible to get into gear. It just won't go. I can let the clutch out in neutral rev it up a little, clutch in, and it's like I'm hitting a wall. Usually after sitting/fidgeting for 15-20 seconds, it'll suddenly go into gear (usually 3rd or 4th) and then it will go in the rest of the gears fine. I have an IRP shifter, and for awhile I thought it was related to that. After watching several install vids, and looking at how it's installed in my car, I'm having a hard time understanding how it could be related to the shifter itself. I tried searching, but couldn't find much reference to this other than just the clunkiness that can exist shifting between 1st and 2nd, and it's definitely not that. Anyone have any ideas? I'm planning on replacing the trans fluid this weekend to make sure it's not related to that somehow, or to see if there's any crazy shavings or anything in the fluid. Beyond that, I'm kind of at a loss.

09-26-2026, 09:51 AM	#2
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 4,160 Thanks: 3,447 Thanked 4,340 Times in 2,188 Posts Mentioned: 34 Post(s)	Check the adjustment of the clutch pedal. I'll blame that IRP shifter all day though- put a stock one back in and see how it is. __________________ Turbo FR-S Build - Build Thread JDL EL Recirc manifold, Boostlab BL58x Turbo w/ T51R, 17x9 ARC-8, IAG block

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09-28-2026, 08:08 AM	#4
Ohio Enthusiast Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Drives: 2018 BRZ Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 1,056 Thanks: 1,491 Thanked 888 Times in 513 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s)	If it shifts fine (barring a bit of dog misalignment in some gears) with the engine off, the clutch is not fully disengaging. If it has the same issues with the engine off, it might be the shifter. As noted by @pope, the IRP bolts to the chassis instead of the transmission via the carrier, so a misadjusted IRP shifter can result in impossible shifting. Follow the instructions online on how to adjust it.

10-01-2026, 11:17 AM	#5
Tokay444 Anti stance. Join Date: Feb 2016 Drives: 17 White 860. RCE Tarmac 2. RE-71RS Location: Not Canada Posts: 1,756 Thanks: 939 Thanked 1,026 Times in 582 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s)	I've had the disk lock up to the flywheel when one of the damping springs exploded out of its pocket and got sandwiched between the two.

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