Won't go into 2nd without going into 1st.

[MichaelSuch]

I have a '90 GSX I bought awhile back. I've been slowly doing work to it and so far it's held up nearly 1000 miles within the past month or so. But I have an annoying issue. For me to shift into 2nd I have to shift into first and then second. 2nd usually grinds when going in, mostly at higher RPMs which I'm sure the synchro's are bad, but bad synchro's would still allow it to go into 2nd from any other gear right?

Now this car has been pretty much molested, it had a different transmission in it but the guy said 3rd gear was "out" in it. So he put in this transmission. Is there any way to tell if the transmission in the car currently is a '90? I know that '91-94 transmissions are different from '90s and require different cables and shifter, which could be part of my problem, but I don't know a way to tell the difference between the 2. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[rts91tsi]

My 91 parts car does the same thing when I use 2nd gear.
From 1st to second,grinds under moderate to heavy load, shifts fine under light load.
Downshifting from 3rd to 2nd it grinds, you have to shift into 1st then 2nd.
I'm pretty sure that is a bad syncro symptom.
90 Gsx transmission will have a 22 spline ceenter shaft

 

[MichaelSuch]

It goes into all gears fairly easy with the car off, nothing unusual compared to my rebuilt trans in my GS-T... I guess I'll just have to save up some money for a new trans from a DSM shop.

 

[blue magic]

hey, i have a 97 tsi awd and the same thing happens kinda, when i go to shift into 1st soemtimes it wont go in untill i drop it to 2 and bring it back up. it feels like it is not fully engaging fully and sometimes it make a little grind.

is this me not engaging clutch enough? or is this my clutch telling me to start looking for another?

 

[DSM1G90]

I guess I'll just have to save up some money for a new trans from a DSM shop.

And that's your "golden answer" right there to cure this whole dilemma..

..and when you do get a new trans, please take care of it .....

-DSM