stubborn tranny

[norman]

IS anyone else having trouble getting their transmissions into 1st gear when they are cold? Below about 40 degrees mine is extremely difficult to get into 1st until the transmission warms up. The dealer supposedly changed the fluid to synthetic, but there was no change in it's behavior. I had a 91 MX3 with the same problem and changing the fluid to automatic transmission fluid corrected this. My Chilton book said in this application both gear oil and transmission fluid were acceptable. Any mechanics out there think this may work and do you think this would damage the tranny? Any thoughts on what this may do to my warranty? The only thing the dealership has said is that this is a known problem and that the engineers are working on it. I wrote Mazda North America and they are equally useless. They forwarded my letter to the district service rep. and I have yet to hear from him (or her). :mad: :mad:

Any thoughts would be appriciated.

 

[LinuxRacr]

My problem is that when I shift from 3rd to 4th, it grinds going into 4th! What the Phuck! :mad: It is really a random behavior. Any help out there?

 

[scott42]

I have the same situation with the first gear, but I think that is supposed to be like that. It prevents you from downshifting into 1st while still moving then letting off the clutch and running the RPMs up too high for a cold engine. Try this and you'll see what I'm talking about. Get rolling at like 10mph after you start up cold...try and shift into first...it won't go...keep slight pressure on the shifter (into first) as you brake and clutch...almost as soon as you come to a stop or like 1 mph, it'll slip right in. Every stick car i've had has done the same thing (nissan 240, Honda prelude, MP3)

On the 3rd to 4th grinding thing, I've done it too, but I think it was due to me getting lazy with the clutch, like letting it up too early or not hitting it far enough...

hope this helps.

 

[LinuxRacr]

For me it grinds when the clutch is depressed fully!

 

[initialRES]

Your transmission should not be grinding. Mine started doing that at high RPMs from second to third. Turned out I had bad sychronizers. You might want to have that checked out. Seeing as how you guys have warrantees so you can get it fixed for free. SERIOUSLY! get this checked out. If you don't it may cost you TONS in the future.

 

[scott42]

I'd take RES's advice than and bring that thing in!
Come to think of it, at high RPM's it is kind of tough.

 

[cfbjr]

I have just started to have the 2nd to third problem at high RPM (5-6k). It's not bad, but it's definitely there although randomly. I'll be taking it in for warranty work on that. I have also noticed some random rattling around from the front end when rolling over a bumpy road while coasting (no accelerator) at low speed. My car has 7700 miles. I have also noticed that the clutch pedal squeks when I push it in and the brake pedal feels a little more sloppy than when new. I would imagine most of this is just due to the newness of the car and that break in period where everything sort of loosens up. A little warranty covered bolt tightening should clear all of that up (I hope!).

 

[initialRES]

My clutch pedal has also begun to squeak when I press it in, and I just had a 2000 transmission rebuild (I told you it was expensive). I talked to some people on www.superhonda.org and they think that it just needs to be oiled up. I wonder if the shop didn't do that. oh and guys about this, PLEASE don't be stupid and wait. My transmission was rebuilt and they gave me a lousy 6 month/6000 mile warrantee. It is pathetic. Right after I hit 6000 miles and 6 months I started noticing all this s***. So seriously, make the dealer pay while you still can.

 

[LinuxRacr]

I guess this means I have to take out the nitrous! Damn, just installed the bottle today! The good news is that I am still not finished installing!

 

[mazdamp3_18]

i think that is normal to happen on a manual when its cold. my 01 golf tdi did that. and my mp3 does it occassionally. and like you said it stops after it has warmed up.

 

[mikesmazda155]

Afer I start my car up, I am having trouble getting it in reverse. Usually after I rev. the engine up to 2000 RPMs it will go into reverse.

 

[initialRES]

The reverse thing is pretty common. First gear and reverse don't have sychronizers so if you are sitting still you can sometimes get locked out of gear. This often happens to me when the car can't roll. I usually let it roll an inch or two, or rev the engine and it should go in like normal. I don't believe that is a problem to worry about. If it grinds at high RPMs though, you should be careful.

 

[PaulMP3]

Linuxninja, i had the same problem from 2nd to 3rd. i aslo had my gearsychros replaced. it took two trys to get it fixed the first time all they would do is put synthetic fluid in then i went back when it was still grinding and they fixed the scychroniser. it took 2 days to do. they had the whole front end apart.

 

[C Rae]

yeah i know about the first gear thing i thought it was f'ed up too. it just a normal thing not to go into 1st when moving. my 79 rx can go into 1st at 10 or 15 mph. i love that about my rx.
i would try everthing under the sun first before i bring it to the dealer to have them pull the tranny apart.