From 1st to 2nd shifts smooth 3rd to 4th shifts smooth my problem is shifting from 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th. If im in 2nd and go to shift into 3rd i have to go to neutral and give it a big slap and the shifter will move so i can go up to 3rd what can be my problem? so basically shifting up and down is smooth and shifting left to right and right to left is hard.
check your cables, one might be coming off, or breaking. replace them if you have to...
Mike Nahodil wrote:check your cables, one might be coming off, or breaking. replace them if you have to...
this, and change the transmission fluid. 95-99 uses synchromesh ONLY, and 00-05 uses dex III ATF.
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I'm gonna go with the cables too... I had a similar problem... couldn't get the damn shifter into second... ever. So I took the centre console out, popped off the two plastic snaps on the cables, centred the shifter handle, then put the two clips back on. Now it shifts smooth into all gears, no problems.
...j
John Lenko wrote:I'm gonna go with the cables too... I had a similar problem... couldn't get the damn shifter into second... ever. So I took the centre console out, popped off the two plastic snaps on the cables, centred the shifter handle, then put the two clips back on. Now it shifts smooth into all gears, no problems.
...j
I've already took the console out just to look around and didnt see anything broke or loose but I'll try what you did. Thanks
Mine weren't broken or loose... just out of adjustment.
i had a simaler problem and it was my spring pin was sliding out of the the linkage on the tranny just before it broke.
omg again the cable guys!!! its likely to be a syncro!! the syncro wears and will stick... try double clutching, clutch in to neutral when changing gears, release in neutral, then clutch in and change gear. if that provides a smooth shift then the syncro is gonzo
No need to freak out there Dan... the reason we're saying cables is because it's BOTH upward shifts. That suggests that it's something in the cable... for both #3 and #5 syncros to go at the same time is pretty difficult, even for a GM.
Besides, I'd start with the cheaper fix first (checking the cables) before starting to drive it like a semi
jkl, do you have any difficulty getting the shifter into 1st as well? If so, could be the shift fork is bent. But since you didn't mention that...
i can shift into 1st fine, the problem is moving the shifter from left to right like if im in 2nd i have to go up to neutral give it a little slap then go up to 3rd and from 4th i go up to neutral then slap the hell out of it then go up to 5th if that makes any sense im real good at explaining things. I took the plastic clip off the first cable and it will move from left to right smooth i just cant get it adjusted right. I dont mess with the 2nd cable for one its kinda hard to get to the plastic clip and since it controls the up and down movement i didnt want to f with it and mess something else up.
Recently had a problem, with 97 cavalier, 5 speed manual. Car would only run in 1st and 3rd gear, could shift into other gears but the gears didn't work. No grinding, no slipping, just no motion. It was very obvious that reverse gear didn't work, car would not move in reverse. Turned out the cable had popped out of the bracket that holds it on the rear of the engine.
Put the cable back in the bracket and everything works again. Does anyone know what keeps the cables in the bracket? It feels like a friction fit. Has something fallen off? I just ordered a set of shop manuals, but they won't be here for a week or so.
