AWD stransmission problems.

[Sotarts]

Every time I shift into second gear, the lever feels as if it's not engaging fully, feels as if it's not securely in there (I must make sure I take some more time doing it), although it doesn't pop out. This is my #1 problem, a very big nuisance.

If I launch the car and quickly shift to second, it won't go in most of the time (and of course it would grind), unless I take my time to make sure it feels like it's fully engaged (as far as the lever can go, with a "click" feel).

Reverse gear popped out on me few times--I think I've shifted to reverse and let off the clutch very quickly those times.

Sometimes when I sit at idle, feels and sounds as if something is rattling while spining. It goes away once I rev up, sometimes the noise/vibration comes back when RPMs fall back to idle or little above idle while falling to idle level.

Few times when I shifted to 1st while sitting at idle, felt like something engaged in the transmission (almost sort of like placing automatic transmission from neutral/park into drive type of feeling, although that doesn't create any movement of the car). This happened enough times for me to notice. Happens VERY rarely, I don't even remember the last time that happened.

A lot of times I have a problem shifting into 1st while standing still at idle. Half-way through the shift motion something is not letting it. Not all the time though.

Can someone explain to me what each problem is associated with and what specifically would eliminate each problem? (Without plainly telling me that I need a new/rebuilt transmission)

Shifting throughout all gears feels a little heavy. I do fully engage the clutch pedal.

Using Mobil 1 fully synthetic manual trans fuild, very recently changed.

'90 AWD. Clutch Masters #2500 clutch. Transmission supposedly rebuilt few thousand miles.

Thanks.

 

[Lordpaxin]

is this the origional tranny?
any possibility of a transplant?

90 model trannies has unique cable guides at the tranny.

as opposed to 91-94.

one thing to do is put it into second.
take the cable and pullit off the shifter, and see if it moves any farther.
if you can push it farther into gear, then adjust the cables.

 

[Sotarts]

one thing to do is put it into second.
take the cable and pullit off the shifter, and see if it moves any farther.
if you can push it farther into gear, then adjust the cables.

Adjusting cables doesn't seem to work, but I can't do further testing, because the f*cking cable end (where it slips on at the shifter) broke at the nut on the thread.

The cable that moves with shifter lever's side-to-side movement feels spongy at the very end when I move the shifter lever to the left in order to put it into first or second gear. Moving it all the way to the right doesn't give me the same problem.

If I make sure I hold the lever really hard pressed towards left while shifting to second, it seems to be fine, but that's difficult to do every single time and is impractical.

Anyone has anymore suggestions? Everywhere I ask and search, no one seems to know anything. WTF?

 

[Sotarts]

Turns out that my upper shifter cable's sleeve (at the end--at the transmission) was broken. It probably broke due to the cable hold-down bracket (again, on the transmission) was loose--one bolt missing and the other bolt has backed out at least 2/3 way or more. Replaced cables with new ones, shifts as if everything's peachy.

If anyone has similar problems, CHECK YOUR CABLES AND CABLE RETAINING BRACKET!
Also, for '90 (at least AWD) models, they've revised the cables--one of the cables at the shifter inside the car is NON-adjustable now (I've verified that with more than two dealers--compared their warehouse stock). Part number for 1990 AWD shifter cables is MB484624.

 

[spendone]

You have discribed all my issues I am having with my tranny on your first post. Originally I thought the tranny was shot and I picked up another one. How much was the new shifter cable from Mitsu??? The first gear problem really ticks me off. I'll be at a light and get ready to shift into first, but then it just engages half way.errrr

 

[Sotarts]

Best place to order cables would be here: http://www.diamondstarmotorsport.com/drivelineparts.shtml . Ask for slowest ground shipping (cheapest). Dealer wants a little more.

Check your cables first. Check ALL along the cable and at both ends. Check cable adjustment too. Check the bracket to make sure it's not loose at all. Hopefully you don't have internal transmission problems.

The rubber sleeve broke on my cable (cricled in red--upper picture), the other cable was ok (bottom picture):