I just got a 2000 5spd cavalier 2200sfi and my problem is its hard to find first every other gear is fine. I can downshift from 3rd to second fine. I haven't seen anything on here about it. I was thinking new cables but everything I know from changing them to reading about other people's problems no one can get 2,4,r. So can anyone point me in the right directon.

Are you trying to get into first while rolling? Not recommended. First isn't synchronized like 2/3/4 and 5.


- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs

No first from a dead stop

If you go into second then to first how is it?



FU Tuning

Mine sometimes has a hard time finding first. My new habit is when it is stopped I put it in third then pull it back and hit first, works every time. When the car has been sitting for long enough and the input shaft has stopped spinning it finds first just fine.





"A car just isn't a car without a little blood, sweat, and beers." -- Shadowfire

No it does the same thing. I pull the shifter all the way to the left to we're footsteps is and it still goes into third.

I would look at the cables then. I know I had a similar issue, there it wouldnt go in 1,3,5 but 2,4,R were solid. The little bushing thing where the cables bolt to the transmission was broken and the whole thing was moving and causing incorrect engagement.

Where is 5th? not all the way right?





"A car just isn't a car without a little blood, sweat, and beers." -- Shadowfire

I'm not sure I only use first and second