problems shifting to first

[91talonawdtsi]

Please help i cant figure out whats going on. I can shift easily into any gear except first. The way that im having to shift to first is to go to second and slam the shifter into first and most of the time it will go in. If i try to just put the car in first without slamming it, it will kick out? please help its driving me nuts

 

[biker_joe89]

Does it go in easy when the engine is not running?

 

[SrKegler]

Sounds like the clutch isn't fully disengaging. Might try turning your master cylinder rod in a couple of turns. Then get under the car and try and push the slave cylinder in. Repeat the process until you can't push the slave cylinder in. Then adjust the master cylinder rod in one turn. Clutch should be perfectly adjusted.

While you're under there check for leaks on the slave cylinder, check fluid level. Overfilling the reservoir will cause just as many problems as being low on fluid.

 

[91talonawdtsi]

It always looks like its in gear but when i let out of the clutch it isnt. where is the master cylinder rod at? when i get under the car i can pull the dowel i think it is out by hand. It goes from the slave cylinder?

 

[92dsmgst]

check your clutch adjustment, put it in first, while still holding the clutch in, give it a 7k rev, and see if it jumps forward. make sure your on level ground.

 

[SrKegler]

The master cylinder rod is hooked up to your clutch pedal, underneath the dash. You're not trying to pull on the shaft coming out of your slave cylinder. You want to push it in. When you have the master cylinder rod in too far, the rod won't go in and will cause a lot of shifting problems. Sounds like you are either real low on fluid or the clutch isn't adjusted correctly.

First thing to do is check the fluid level in your master cylinder. DON'T OVERFILL IT.

Your cables may have stretched which is why you're having problems getting into first.

 

[myaceofdiamonds]

sounds like a adjustment to me. slamming it in like that makes me cringe its not good for it, as was mentioned Id check the clutch adjustment and go from there.

 

[91talonawdtsi]

well i adjusted my clutch and it still wont shift into first without slamming it in? Any more ideas? it goes into every gear just fine except first i dont understand it

If the cables have stretched will i just need to replace them or is there some way to adjust them?

When i put it in first and let out of the clutch the shifter falls back to neuteral.

 

[fatness_42]

Does it go in without slaming it and then just pops out when letting off the clutch?

 

[And_44]

If it was your clutch adjustment you'd have the problem with more then 1 gear. I had exact problem with a TSi 6 years ago, turned out to be the bearings on the input shaft were shot. Pretty soon your gonna loose 2 then 3 then 4. Your tranny sounds like it's taking a run on ya. Either fix it now or enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[91talonawdtsi]

Yes it will go into first by pushing in the clutch and putting it in first but just pops out when i let out of the clutch. Its like first gear is just too far for me to reach

 

[fatness_42]

Try this. Put it into first slowly let the clutch out until the shifter starts to move to N then press the clutch back in before it comes all the way out. Then try to go normal. If it stays in then, I would say you have the same problem I once had with a 91 I have. It is not good news i'm afraid. My mesh gears just started to go I was able to drive it the way I just decribed to you for quit awhile before 1st went out completly. But my guess is it will go out all the way. Over time I just couldn't put it in first at all. There are gears that hold it in what ever you select and they do get worn out. Mine got to the point after a while that 4th started to do the same. Then I just found a good used tranny and swapped it out. I found that it was cheaper to do that then a rebuild. But I was just lucky enough to find a good one local.

 

[PewPew90Laser]

Adjust your shifter cables first. I was in between classes yesterday in the school parking lot thinking about this thread. I adjusted them to what I feel should work fine and oh damn. Feel honestly like a new tranny. Mine shifted like a bucket of unwilling rocks before. My first gear is not doing the trick.
I'll put some other fluid in it and report in sometime later.

 

[91talonawdtsi]

Ive been working like a dog all week havent had time to try too much but this weekend im gonna drain and change the fluid. Then im gonna disconnect the cables and put it in first by hand and if it still pops out then im pretty sure ill just take it to a shop. Thank you everyone for all the help i'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[LadyDSM13]

Are you trying to put it in first from a dead stop or while downshifting?

 

[91talonawdtsi]

at a dead stop. I found one of the cable rubber bushings is broken?

 

[SrKegler]

Sounds like you found your problem.

 

[fatness_42]

wow that could be it. I don't uderstand why it is only doing it in first. But as all DSM owners know it doesn't always make sense. Hope that the broken bushing is all it is. Good luck.

 

[tsi1991awd]

Hey man instead of getting a new rubber bushing, just buy some brass bushings from Extreme PSI. I bought that kit and it's solid. Or you could do the skate bearing mod...but these solid brash bushings are nice

 

[91talonawdtsi]

im gonna try the brass bushings i just ordered them last night. I also noticed the front lower transmission mount is torn?

 

[tsi1991awd]

im gonna try the brass bushings i just ordered them last night. I also noticed the front lower transmission mount is torn?

Bad tranny and motor mounts will cause poor shifting as well. Get that shit fixed man.

 

[SupaDoopa]

Sounds like you have a shopping list.

 

[91talonawdtsi]

Ya no joke. I've been throwing so much money at this thing to get it running right. I just got it running after sitting for almost three years and everything that can wear from sitting has. New top, tires, motor mounts, new front suspension, fuel filter, fmic, exhaust, shifter bushings, plug wires, plugs, brakes, mbc and evo scan. Thats what ive bought so far and im supposed to go to the dyno next month to have it all tuned just have to fix my throttle body boost leak.

 

[tsi1991awd]

My first gear just went without warning. I put it into first at a stop, start to take off and it'll pop out of gear then grind. No warning signs such as grinding synchro. I'm thinking either A) the synchro went somehow or B) the shift fork went somehow. Just had the damn clutch done too and was driving nice, no boost...dunno what's up.

 

[91talonawdtsi]

mine never grinds it just pops out of gear.