1st Gen Neon 1995 through 1999 Neons

Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

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  #1  
Old 02-09-2005 | 05:30 AM
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phaythe
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From: Lebanon, OR
Default Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

Okay, so I picked up a '95 from a friend, knowing it was having some problems shifting between 1st and 2nd gear, was hoping it was the linkage, no such luck. But, I got it dirt cheap, so no hard feelings...

Now that I've had it for a couple weeks, it will no longer shift into 1st at all. It feels as though it is "blocked." Best way to describe it. I got under the hood, popped off the linkage cables and started working the selector levers by hand. It definitely is being blocked by something internally... The lever that is controlled by the side to side movement of the shifter (sorry, don't know technical terms, still learning!) will sometimes stick too...

Anyways, hoping that someone out there has some idea of what might be wrong? I know, transmission work is like a black art, and I only stand a shot in hell of fixing it myself, but, I'm willing to try, full well knowing that I'll probably completely screw it up and just be stuck buying another tranny. But, tips and pointers as to what to look for?

Thanks,
Crazy transmission repair greenhorn...er, Randy
 
  #2  
Old 02-09-2005 | 05:44 AM
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lblackneon
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

It sounds like your shifting cable is done / needs to get replaced. My car's reverse went out and I had to get a new shifting cable to fix it. Booger bushings will help to firm up your shifting after u get it fixed.
 
  #3  
Old 02-09-2005 | 05:47 AM
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phaythe
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

No, it's doing this with the cables completely disconnected, as well. I'm basically just shifting it "by hand" while in the engine compartment. It isn't in the linkage at all, that's what I was hoping it was...but I do have boogers on the way, for when it is fixed...
 
  #4  
Old 02-09-2005 | 05:52 AM
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

Huh; Well I don't know. I would have to look at it to tell. Goodluck.[X(]
 
  #5  
Old 02-09-2005 | 05:12 PM
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

Time to have the trans serviced. Most likely your syncros are gone, but either get a rebuilt or have yours serviced. Trans work is not for the novice, don't even crack the case if you don't know what your doing.
 
  #6  
Old 02-09-2005 | 07:27 PM
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

will it shift into reverse?
 
  #7  
Old 02-10-2005 | 09:06 PM
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phaythe
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

I know it needs serviced, and I'm wanting to try to do it myself, as I want to learn what I am doing. I know I'm not going to be successful, I've already got another transmission on the way. I'm just wanting ideas as to what to look for once I get inside my old one. I don't care if I screw the darn thing up worse. Only way to learn is to try, right? So, syncros may be bad, that was one of my assumptions of things to check, anything else that would be probable? And yes, it will shift into reverse, although it does grind...
 
  #8  
Old 02-10-2005 | 09:39 PM
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casper
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

I don't know that much about the inside of the trans, but I believe that there is one set of syncros on the inside of the trans on the final gear. I would suggest getting either a full service manual from the dealer or a book on manual trans missions before atttempting to work on it.
 
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Old 02-11-2005 | 01:21 AM
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ewetho
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

They are not dificult really but you may need a special tool or two and a good manual would be necessary. You should have at least 3 snchros in a five speed.
Probably just wore the fibre cone out and now won't go in. However you should generally be able to grind it if that were just the case. Possibly a bent shift fork. Speed racer anyone??? Anyway if you have the time and patience you should be able to do it with a PROPER repair manual (Factory anyone) and like a said possibly a special tool or two.

Ohh coupla shafts with gears in constant mesh that must be locked to shaft(Synchos) via movement of shift forks. Not too bad really.

Best of luck. If still intimidated, Trans shop my friends, trans shop. Or buy one and slap her home.
 
  #10  
Old 02-11-2005 | 05:08 AM
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Default RE: Manual won't shift into 1st!!!

I had the same problem with my Car... It is totally your syncros... the bad news is First and Second Gear syncs are not excatly servicable... you will need a new assembly... if it was 3 rd gear it would be diffrent as you can just pop it out and put a new one on... I don't even thing you can get the parts seprately. ( I couldn't ) I hope I am wrong though cause it was a expencive repair...
 


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