First and Second gears are clunky...

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I can see how it's easy for the casual reader to misunderstand my reply to JoeC. I am not advocating for pausing between first and second. I was explaining how to create the condition that causes people to have trouble shifting into second when it's cold.


Different techniques yield different results because physics.

Necro to apologize? Bored?

Pausing is exactly the magic that works for me. Though I pause on the accelerator still in first, hold rpm for a second, then shift into 2nd. Works like a charm.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by cjd

Necro to apologize? Bored?

Pausing is exactly the magic that works for me. Though I pause on the accelerator still in first, hold rpm for a second, then shift into 2nd. Works like a charm.

I was thanked and when I read the more recent stuff. I was inspired to clarify.

Leveling out in gear and coupled is a different part of the process. Nothing wrong with that. The question is how quickly do you transition between being engaged in first to applying pressure to the second gear syncro clutch, especially first thing in the morning?

I am suggesting that the people who don't have any complaints and don't understand what others are experiencing, are those who already instinctively do not pause in neutral between first and second.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cjd

Necro to apologize? Bored?

Pausing is exactly the magic that works for me. Though I pause on the accelerator still in first, hold rpm for a second, then shift into 2nd. Works like a charm.

[jstn]

Originally Posted by mcrane

Not necessarily a clunk, I guess. But a bit of resistance when shifting into first and second. I feel it may have to do with the cold temps here. Either way, I think I am going to do a tranny fluid change in the Spring.

It is a temperature thing, I've owned two of these cars and driven several more and every single one has had bitchy first and second gears when cold. It won't go into first easily if you're moving at all (rev matching it works fine though) and if it's near or below freezing temps outside it won't go into first at all unless you are completely stopped and let the clutch out in neutral for a second first.

Anyway it's normal for these I think. Changing out your trans fluid for something a little better than OEM helps in most cases. Otherwise just baby it when cold and be patient. Once you're used to it the only tricky things are 3->2 and 2->1 when cold but it's fine as long as you're good at rev matching and don't try to force the shifter anywhere it doesn't want to go.

[conehead]

I've had a similar issue with my car since buying it with 22k on it, and can't figure it out. It is a really annoying problem driving around in the city in a car I otherwise love.



The shifting is always a little clunky in all gears, but the real problem is shifting into 1st from a stop. It almost never will go into gear on the first try, no matter how hard I push. If I push and release 2 or 3 times it will drop in. Temps do not effect this, neither does the timing of pushing the clutch in. I see other similar complaints but not this exact one. Suggestions?

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by conehead

I've had a similar issue with my car since buying it with 22k on it, and can't figure it out. It is a really annoying problem driving around in the city in a car I otherwise love.



The shifting is always a little clunky in all gears, but the real problem is shifting into 1st from a stop. It almost never will go into gear on the first try, no matter how hard I push. If I push and release 2 or 3 times it will drop in. Temps do not effect this, neither does the timing of pushing the clutch in. I see other similar complaints but not this exact one. Suggestions?

Do you have floor mats that could be bunched up under the pedal? Have you brought it somewhere to ask if they can adjust the pedal? Your issue sounds like it's not fully disengaging the clutch when you put the pedal down.
To test this, try starting in second a few times in situations where 1st normally wouldn't work. Don't worry about hurting anything, you just need to ride the clutch a little to get going in second, I do it in snowy weather a lot.

Let us/me know if from a stop, you can put it into second easily or if you have the same trouble as first gear.

Also, mandatory question- have you changed your trans fluid yet? You definitely should if we're troubleshooting shifting issues.

[conehead]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Do you have floor mats that could be bunched up under the pedal? Have you brought it somewhere to ask if they can adjust the pedal? Your issue sounds like it's not fully disengaging the clutch when you put the pedal down.
To test this, try starting in second a few times in situations where 1st normally wouldn't work. Don't worry about hurting anything, you just need to ride the clutch a little to get going in second, I do it in snowy weather a lot.

Let us/me know if from a stop, you can put it into second easily or if you have the same trouble as first gear.

Also, mandatory question- have you changed your trans fluid yet? You definitely should if we're troubleshooting shifting issues.

No floor mat issues. It does this even with the floormats out at autox. It shifts into second or any other gear much easier from a stop, so I don't think its a clutch adjustment issue. I can also downshift into 1st easily when moving. I have read about the fluid change and plan to try that for general smoothness, but it doesn't seem like fluid would physically prevent me from getting it in gear.

[conehead]

Does 1st gear have synchros on this car?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by conehead

Does 1st gear have synchros on this car?

Yes

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by conehead

Does 1st gear have synchros on this car?

Of course it does - it just doesn't seem that way -

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by conehead

I've had a similar issue with my car since buying it with 22k on it, and can't figure it out. It is a really annoying problem driving around in the city in a car I otherwise love.



The shifting is always a little clunky in all gears, but the real problem is shifting into 1st from a stop. It almost never will go into gear on the first try, no matter how hard I push. If I push and release 2 or 3 times it will drop in. Temps do not effect this, neither does the timing of pushing the clutch in. I see other similar complaints but not this exact one. Suggestions?

If it's easy to engage first gear when the engine isn't running then the clutch is dragging. First test that.

[gravitylover]

Originally Posted by conehead

I've had a similar issue with my car since buying it with 22k on it, and can't figure it out. It is a really annoying problem driving around in the city in a car I otherwise love.



The shifting is always a little clunky in all gears, but the real problem is shifting into 1st from a stop. It almost never will go into gear on the first try, no matter how hard I push. If I push and release 2 or 3 times it will drop in. Temps do not effect this, neither does the timing of pushing the clutch in. I see other similar complaints but not this exact one. Suggestions?

I had a similar problem getting into 1st if the car was moving even just a little bit. It turned out to be the snout was scored and it was hanging up and not releasing completely after I had the clutch replaced. They had to drop the tranny and replace it and the TOB again. It worked fine after that.

[conehead]

You guys were right, the clutch seemed to be dragging just a little. I followed the clutch pedal adjustment thread (but backwards) to get a little more travel and it mostly solved the problem. I also put some Amsoil in and that surprisingly actually did help smoothness.


I also autoxed a new Miata recently and got to enjoy a proper shift feel. This is still the worst shifting sports car I have ever driven.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by conehead

You guys were right, the clutch seemed to be dragging just a little. I followed the clutch pedal adjustment thread (but backwards) to get a little more travel and it mostly solved the problem. I also put some Amsoil in and that surprisingly actually did help smoothness.


I also autoxed a new Miata recently and got to enjoy a proper shift feel. This is still the worst shifting sports car I have ever driven.

Yep, an S2000 and a 5 speed Miata transmission will definitely spoil ya.