so lately when i have been driving the shifter doesnt want to go into first when im rolling.. i have to be at a almost dead stop (cant be going over 5mph) or else it wont go into first. So today out of all the other days it really pissed me off, i was at a stop light and it wouldnt go into first i gave it some gas with the clutch in (obviously) and it wouldnt go in so then i put it in reverse then back into first in still nothing. Then I just said **** it and started in second. After that at stop lights and stop signs it would go into first but again had to be at a dead stop or rolling annoyingly slow. Anyways is this a common for other maximas? Is this normal for a manual tranny? this is my first car so i dont know how others are. Is there a way to fix this?

 

This is normal for 95-96 Maxima M/T, I believe its because it doesnt have a dual sync or something like that. If you dont have a 95-96 then chances are your trans is from one. I've had the problem where it wont go into 1st from a stop, simply release the clutch half way and press it back in, goes in gear smooth like butter.

Other thing I can say is, how are your motor mounts?

 

ive got a 98 se, and no clue on the status of the motor mounts havent checked them in a while. Just out of curiousity do you think a short shifter would fix the problem?

 

If you don't have a 95-96 trans installed in your 98... then I think installing an STS would make it HARDER to shift as you can will get a bit more notchiness from the STS. Have you tried bleeding your clutch or checking the fluid level?

 

Nope, guess i should huh?

 

Definitely check the clutch fluid. Chances are its low and you have a leak some where, possibly in the hose.

 

alright i will do that. so i take it when you are coasting up to a stop sign or light with the clutch in no matter what speed you should be able to put the shifter into first? im getting used to having to be going really slow or a complete stop its just me being picky about it not going into first while coasting

 

When downshifting to a stop in my 96, I have to rev to 3K, stab the clutch and shift into 1st. Or at a dead stop it goes in no trouble at all. I think its normal because first gear is such a low ratio you have to input shaft and cluster shaft close to the same speed before the syncro will be effective. Could also be from years of running GL-5 from POs.

 

rev match, and problem is over

 

Nope..... It may be my first car but I'm not a noob at driving stick I've tried it and it doesn't work. Thanks for the suggestion though

 

Maxima will pull from anything but a dead stop in second with little problem. I only use first if I am completely stopped. You may have a weak synchro for first gear.

 

its quite normal. my 95 maxima didnt go into first at all untill i stoped. when i put the 99 tranny, you have to really force it.

my 2002 celica didnt want to go into 1st easily

my 1999 civic was the same way. you had to really force it to get into 1st from a roll.

my 300zx TT was the same way

my 240sx, didnt really drive it yet.

 

I'm assuming you tried double clutching as well?

 

Yes, it does. Chances are you are trying to rev-match with the clutch in. This accomplishes nothing as the motor is not attached to the trans at all.

When putting the car into 1st while slowing to a stop, the synchros are working to speed up the input shaft to the speed of the main shaft, attached to the tires. If you rev-match in neutral with the clutch out, the motor is connected to the input shaft and accomplishes this job without the synchros. Like the poster above me said, this is referred to as double-clutching.