manual tranny won't shift into first gear
 

Help!!! my car won't shift into first for some reason??? It shifts fine in all other gears. Same problem even when the car is parked and turned off. It literally wont go into the slot. It just happened suddenly. No grinding or anything. Anybody got ant ideas???

synchros???

check the clutch fluid

If it won't go into the slot, wouldn't that indicate a problem with the linkage..?

not in my case, the clutch fluid resovior(sp) was bone dry and the car had a VERY hard time getting into gear...filled it up, bled it, prob solved..this is for 02-03 though..OP doesnt state what yr his car is though..

Guessing it is either the clutch fluid or something is jamming your linkage. Pull the airbox and have someone look at the linkage while you work the clutch.

My car wouldnt go into third one time because the red plastic battery bolt cover flew into the linkagr when i was driving. What are the odds of that. I was panicking for a while until i looked under the hood.

Bottom line. The first step is checking the linkage

i already checked the linkage and looked fine. btw i have an 01 max. also checked the fluid level seems fine too.... I'll probably try to bleed it and refill and hope this works I'm reall hoping that this nothing internal

now i can't shift to third or fifth gear. So no first first, third, and fifth!! Anybody know what could cause for me not able to shift into these gear. It's really annoying to drive the car now that i only have 2nd, 4th and reverse.

I would check as many superficial items as I can before I start worrying about whether the tranny is junk or not. You stated you haven't heard any noises which is a good thing. Have you checked the slave cylinder to confirm it's actually engaging and remaining engaged while the clutch is depressed? You'll need a friend to help you. Also, I haven't read that you checked the transmission fluid level. Make sure you can't add anymore. It would be fast to check these two items off your troubleshooting list. Plus, they're both fundamental to the operation of your powertrain. Report back with your results.

wow no 1st 3rd or 5th gear??

Possibly clutch not disengaging? Maybe your torque mount had came apart?

Sheesh, I'm assuming the 5th gen 5MT is laid out:
so how can that not be a linkage problem? I :sprint: whatever nelledge says.

Definitely sounds like a shift fork issue.

Definately sounds like an odd issue...:laugh:


(Sorry, couldn't resist that)

I wish my wife thought like that.

I had the same exact issue and this was the culprit. Lost a clutch fork. Had to replace the the clutch.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/maxima-...2024_2041.html

Am I looking at the wrong diagram..? This is showing multiple forks, and gears share them in pairs (1&2,3&4,5&R).

It's been a very long time since I've seen a clutch install and got the full explanation on how the fork works to move gears.

1st gear gone..... samething happened to my 2nd... outta no where it just wont go into the gear, i can get it in gear put as soon as i eased of the clutch it would pop itself out... urs seem to be worste than mines

Did you ever resolve those shifting issues you had a few months ago where you got pulled over by the cop for stalling in an intersection or whatever?

*Note: This could have been phatboislim, but I cannot untangle the two of you in my mind. Apologies if it was him and not you.

some good news!!! so i finally was able to get third and fifthe gears back. did it by adjusting the shifter bushing towards the rear of the car a little bit.. Still cant get first gear. oh yeah it seems like the shifter is too far forward somehow, because the actual shifter is hitting the plastic bezel when im in third gear. Anybody know what could cause this??? I'm checking my tranny mounts tomorrow and see if it somehow caused the shifter to move.

Apologies for awakening a dead thread. Similar issue, although i can force the trans to shift.... eh.... i think its the slave cylinder because its as if the clutch isnt disengaging completely. My synchros arent happy with my mobil 1 75-w90 in 20 degress either. Feels like my tranny is dying, not whining so hopefully resolvable.

Wont smoothly go into 1st and Reverse
 

Reviving the thread because i'm going through the same issues...with my 03 6mt
I had the transmission rebuilt.

I'm having difficulty engaging into 1st and reverse. I'd have to force it in or shift simultaneously depressing the clutch.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Would Have Been Nice if original OP let us know if he solved this issue and if he did how....cause thread is pointless without it being solved.

Would be nice! i'll give an update once I or the shop figures it out

Kool. jus incase i have same prob one day id like to know what to chk

The shop first thought it was the cable so they replaced the cable, it only got a little better but at the end they had to open the tranny back and replace another synchro.

gears they replaced on mine are 1st and reverse. the rest were bushings and seals.