I just started having a problem with my 5 speed shifter. Now when I pull it out of 1st and second gears, and let go it will not return to the normal Neutral position. Instead it stays lined up with first and second gears. It seems like a magnet is holding there. It is completely movable, and I can operate all the gears properly. I just want to know if there is an easy fix, and if this is a precursor to a larger problem.

Matt|ttaM

 

search, the fix is not easy nor simple. most people choose to ignore it until the transmission needs to be pulled out for work.

 

yeah a search should yeild some answers but Karack said what I am thinking - live with it until something goes ka-put.

 

I did try a search, but I didn't find anything.

 

There's a centering spring that has either broken or come loose. To replace/reconnect it, you have to remove and partially disassemble the transmission. It's really not worth bothering with if that's the only thing having problems.

-=Russ=-

 

Shifter bushings... Shifter bushings... Shifter bushings...

Do you find it difficult to find the gear sometimes when downshifting? Like you have to line up 2nd before you can downshift from 4th to 3rd??? Can you spin your shift lever all the way around? Pull your shifter boot off and look for a pin at the front of the shifter... It may have vibrated itself loose. If you line it up and tap the pin back in your shifter should go back to the normal position... And replace the bushings while you're at it...

My car had the same problem, but once I found these problems and fixed them, it was like a brand new transmission...

 

I happened to have pulled my tranny last weekend, and your problem sounds like a shot spring. the spring can only be taken out by removing a small panel on the right side of your tranny, right under the shifter. Im not sure if you can get to it with the tranny still in the car, so you may want to take a look... should be two 10mm screws

 

Sometimes you can reach it through the shifter hole... Depends on how bad it's fucked...

 

There are no other symptoms with this problem. I can manipulate the stick with no problems. The only other problem with shifting I have is occasionally grinding when going from 1st to 2nd too fast.

However there are other problems with the tranny. When I have the car in neutral with the clutch is in, I hear no noise. When I release the clutch I get a light grinding.

When cold and stopped, I have the clutch in and put into gear I get the same grinding. I figure it needs a new clutch, but the grinding when in gear with clutch in worries me. Is there a way to rejuvenate the transmission? Such as flush it with a solvent or something?

Could the tranny be going as well? Should I replace the tranny when I do the clutch? I do not have very much money at this point. I recently purchased the car and spend $1000 to make it pass MD inspection.

Unfortunately this is my primary car (my 2001 Monte Carlo has been in the shop for 5 months now, due to massive electrical/computer problems) so I need it to last as long as possible. I have already started driving it more gingerly. Any more suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

Matt|ttaM

 

Sounds like a bad throwout bearing to me...

 

Bad throwout bearing for what problem? The stuck stick or the moisy tranny?

Matt|ttaM

 

That's soposta be Noisy*

 

The noisy tranny... The shifter problem is most likely covered in my above post I'm almost positive. I'm just trying to cover all the minor possibilities, because I really don't know jack about what goes on deep inside a tranny... lol

The "shifter flopping over" issue I also had with my car, and it was easily repaired...