2G Difficulty shifting into 1 and reverse

[Mexjzl]

I have a Mitsubishi eclipse gst 98 having trouble getting in to 1st gear and reverse does anyone know what could it be ???I have a few I deas but I don't know if I'm sure does anyone have the problem before pls let me how to fix this is getting very irritated

 

[9 T GSX]

Could be a multiple of options to check for you to solve the issue, have you checked your Master/Slave cylinder for leakage, Might need to adjust master, Shifter bushings worn out ,low fluid level, air in the system those are the simple easy checks. Worst case is transmission needs to be rebuilt.

 

[Mech Addict]

No difficulty in other gears? I can’t think of why those two especially would be so affected by not having enough clutch travel, like air or adjustment. You’d think it would balk in other gears, but maybe not.
I was trying to imagine something in the shift linkage that might explain it, like the worn bushings suggestion. 1 and R are at 2 extreme corners of the pattern, so if slop were added in, it might rob enough actual cable travel to move the gears in the tranny enough. Those plastic bushings can probably work fine until one day they deteriorate enough to simply fall out. Does the shift lever feel more loose than when the shifting was better?
On a1g it’s very easy to access the shifter, so likely on you 2g as well. You could also adjust the shift cables and see if that helps. The FSM describes it well.

 

[CKOPOCT]

Other than what others have mentioned the only thing that comes to mind is obstruction in the gear shift plate or bad synchros.

Do you have trouble only when the engine is running or is it difficult to get it into 1/R with the engine off as well?

Only with engine running points to transmission problem.

At all times points to shift linkage, bushing, shift plate type issues.