Locked Out of 2nd Gear

[Failingboy]

I've done some searching and just wanted to run my thoughts by you more experienced folks here.

The last several autocrosses I've done, I've gotten locked out of 2nd gear, while trying to shift from 1st to 2nd and simultaneously going around a left hand turn. Even after completing the turn, I'm still not able to get in 2nd, and moving through the rest of the gears does not help. Eventually (like at the end of a run) I'm able to get it back in 2nd after things "settle" a bit. I've seen some stuff about trying to shift into 2nd either pulling all the way towards the left hand side of the gate and alternatively, allowing a little bit of play to the right, but no improvement.

However, I literally have never had this problem during normal driving. If I want to though, it's pretty easily reproducible by taking a hard left and trying to make the 1-2 shift.

From what I can figure, it's one of three things:

1. Motor (and transmission) mounts (mine are stock, including snub mount, with 111000 miles on them). There is no check engine light for bad engine mounts
2. 2nd gear problem in the transmission
3. A problem with the shifter itself (stock components, never replaced as far as I know).

I'm thinking that since it only happens with changing momentum that it's a driveline stiffness issue, and I'm planning to replace both motor mounts, snub mount and transmission mount. This seems like the most likely culprit to me.

Does this sound like a reasonable place to start before I drop the cash on 4 new mounts? Obviously the only way to know is to do it, but I haven't found the exact issue with confirmation that it was solved by replacing mounts. Would really appreciate input.

TLDR: Read bold

Bonus pic:

[gcoy]

My first thought was your shift linkage. Possibly your Cross Rod ??

[Failingboy]

My first thought was your shift linkage. Possibly your Cross Rod ??

Thanks, I just read about that some. Didn't realize it was so prone to failure on our cars, but since it's only intermittent now, maybe it's only beginning to fail. I need to get under there and check it out to see if there's anything obvious.

[gcoy]

It's just a guess, but if this is your problem... This is your solution,, http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...h=21_56_61_105

[Scotty@Advanced]

Cross rod problems generally manifest themselves with issues going into 1-2 gear or 5-6 gear. Problems with a single gear usually mean internal issues with that specific gear.

[dolphin B6 S4]

I would imagine that he never touches 5th gear during an autocross run.

[Failingboy]

It's just a guess, but if this is your problem... This is your solution,, http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...h=21_56_61_105

Thanks for the link!

Cross rod problems generally manifest themselves with issues going into 1-2 gear or 5-6 gear. Problems with a single gear usually mean internal issues with that specific gear.

Hmm, that's not awesome to hear, but it certainly sounds plausible. Would that occur only with shifting momentum, like what happens around turns, or should it not matter?

[QIKRNU]

Is it possible that you are pulling the shifter so hard to the left that you are getting into the reverse area?

[Scotty@Advanced]

Hmm, that's not awesome to hear, but it certainly sounds plausible. Would that occur only with shifting momentum, like what happens around turns, or should it not matter?

It shouldn't matter. There was also a TSB issued for the Shift detents on that trans. It could be possible that a weak detent could be influenced by a left turn causing the trans shifter to move. I've seen stranger things happen. The detents aren't expensive, and replacing them doesn't require trans removal (if you have the proper tools).

[JimmyBones]

Have you ever changed your transmission fluid? That would be a great first place to start and the fluid is fairly cheap. I recommend using Motul 300v gear oil.

Then your old mounts and shift linkage are not helping matters when you are pushing the car around turns during runs. It wouldn't surprise me if the drivetrain rocks slightly causing the shifter to be temporarily out of alignment. What mounts were you looking at? Most people get street density mounts for DD duties but you may want to consider track density mounts or billet mounts from 034 Motorsports if you can handle the additional vibrations. The Apikol rear diff mount also makes a big difference and is fairly easy to install.

Do you hear any crunching when changing gears? Mostly with second or third gears? The worst case scenario is that you have issues with the second gear syncro, gear, and shift collar. There is a factory updated second gear and shift collar because the second gear goes to the point that you can't get into it at all even after waiting a bit for it to cool down. JHM sells a rebuild kit with detents here: http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...h=21_56_61_105

I personally don't think that the detents or cross rod are the issue.

It is great to see another Sprint Blue Wagon on the track besides Axel's.

[Failingboy]

Is it possible that you are pulling the shifter so hard to the left that you are getting into the reverse area?

It's a good question, but I can replicate it in non-race conditions when I'm better able to pay attention to things like that, so I don't think so.

It shouldn't matter. There was also a TSB issued for the Shift detents on that trans. It could be possible that a weak detent could be influenced by a left turn causing the trans shifter to move. I've seen stranger things happen. The detents aren't expensive, and replacing them doesn't require trans removal (if you have the proper tools).

I wish I knew if that TSB had been performed, but I'll add it to my list of things to consider, thanks.

Have you ever changed your transmission fluid? That would be a great first place to start and the fluid is fairly cheap. I recommend using Motul 300v gear oil.

Then your old mounts and shift linkage are not helping matters when you are pushing the car around turns during runs. It wouldn't surprise me if the drivetrain rocks slightly causing the shifter to be temporarily out of alignment. What mounts were you looking at? Most people get street density mounts for DD duties but you may want to consider track density mounts or billet mounts from 034 Motorsports if you can handle the additional vibrations. The Apikol rear diff mount also makes a big difference and is fairly easy to install.

Do you hear any crunching when changing gears? Mostly with second or third gears? The worst case scenario is that you have issues with the second gear syncro, gear, and shift collar. There is a factory updated second gear and shift collar because the second gear goes to the point that you can't get into it at all even after waiting a bit for it to cool down. JHM sells a rebuild kit with detents here: http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...h=21_56_61_105

I personally don't think that the detents or cross rod are the issue.

It is great to see another Sprint Blue Wagon on the track besides Axel's.

Thanks for the great info. That's all very helpful. I changed all of the fluids at 100K, so just about 10K ago, but with Redline rather than Motul.

The drivetrain rocking has been at the top of my list, just because it seems to make the most sense. I'm struggling with which mounts to use, but since autocross is much more of a hobby and I do drive the car daily, I'm probably going to avoid track density mounts. I've wondered if even the street density mounts might transmit too much NVH. I haven't seen much about them, but I've look at the ECS mounts too and am thinking about those.

Thanks for the link, and I'll definitely think about doing the detents at some point if things are getting worse. Notably, I don't get a crunch at all in any gear. It's a little notchy for a couple of minutes after cold starts, but nothing that has me particularly worried.

I might just change all the mounts to start with, since it probably needs doing, then go from there. Glad to have collected some other ideas though. And it's fun to have such a unique car, even if it can't come close to Axel's from a performance standpoint. Still a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

[Scotty@Advanced]

It's a little notchy for a couple of minutes after cold starts, but nothing that has me particularly worried.

That is fluid related. Might consider going to a different fluid and seeing if it has changed or not.

[dparm]

Odd that it only happens while turning left.

To clarify what JimmyBones said, you want Motul Gear 300 and NOT 300V (that is engine oil).

[Jake@JHM]

Have you ever changed your transmission fluid? That would be a great first place to start and the fluid is fairly cheap. I recommend using Motul 300v gear oil.

Then your old mounts and shift linkage are not helping matters when you are pushing the car around turns during runs. It wouldn't surprise me if the drivetrain rocks slightly causing the shifter to be temporarily out of alignment. What mounts were you looking at? Most people get street density mounts for DD duties but you may want to consider track density mounts or billet mounts from 034 Motorsports if you can handle the additional vibrations. The Apikol rear diff mount also makes a big difference and is fairly easy to install.

Do you hear any crunching when changing gears? Mostly with second or third gears? The worst case scenario is that you have issues with the second gear syncro, gear, and shift collar. There is a factory updated second gear and shift collar because the second gear goes to the point that you can't get into it at all even after waiting a bit for it to cool down. JHM sells a rebuild kit with detents here: http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalo...h=21_56_61_105

I personally don't think that the detents or cross rod are the issue.

It is great to see another Sprint Blue Wagon on the track besides Axel's.

Thanks for the support .



Second gear issues are pretty common on the 0A3 transmissions. Feel free to give us a call and we would be more than happy to discuss everything!

[Failingboy]

That is fluid related. Might consider going to a different fluid and seeing if it has changed or not.

It's easy enough to try, so maybe I'll just go ahead and do that.

Odd that it only happens while turning left.

To clarify what JimmyBones said, you want Motul Gear 300 and NOT 300V (that is engine oil).

I like my engine oil where it belongs--in the engine and leaking from the valve covers, so thanks for the tip.

Thanks for the support .



Second gear issues are pretty common on the 0A3 transmissions. Feel free to give us a call and we would be more than happy to discuss everything!

I might do that just to see what my options are. I appreciate the help.