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-   -   Can't get into 1st gear at times. (https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/997/230545-cant-get-into-1st-gear-times.html)

dark911 Dec 2, 2010 03:16 PM

Can't get into 1st gear at times.
 
Have you guys ever experience not able to shift into 1st gear at stop?

My car does that once in awhile when I am at the stop light, I would have to release the clutch, press again and it can go into 1st no problem.

I changed the transmission fluid and it doesn't help that much.

Is this a clutch failing signs?

Please help, thanks,

mathfuzzy Dec 2, 2010 03:26 PM

Mine does it too.

Seems to happen every time I put it in gear, then realize the light isn't about to change, so put it back in neutral and then try to go back to first.

surfah Dec 2, 2010 04:31 PM

Yep, happens to me on occasion. I either go back to neutral, push harder on clutch and try get into 1st again or else go straight to 2nd. It's particularly disconcerting when I'm at a stop on an inclinehilarious

ecostellodo Dec 2, 2010 04:32 PM

It is normal not being able to shift into a gear on occasion (1st or reverse). This has happend on every standard car I have owned.

dark911 Dec 2, 2010 04:57 PM

Thanks for sharing. I was worry about my transmission...

jhbrennan Dec 2, 2010 05:16 PM

Best way to get a balky shifter into 1st is to move the shift lever toward 2nd (don't go into 2nd) then go to 1st - this has always worked for me.

JohnM Dec 2, 2010 05:43 PM

you can also press the lever towards first and as you start letting the clutch out, it usually slips into gear.

lacrosse Dec 2, 2010 06:07 PM

Don't the shifters get a little balky when it gets colder out? Do you have the SSK?

JTaylorGT Dec 2, 2010 09:08 PM

Have the same problem on occasion in my 2005 997S, especially as it gets colder. Pretty embarassing when you're number one at the traffic light and can't get going! Nonetheless, it's not that often so I just re-engage the clutch and that usually does the trick.

Peter1.8t Dec 2, 2010 09:20 PM

I think this is fairly common on all manual transmission cars, especially when the weather starts getting colder.

When that happens, I do one of two methods that seem to work; go from second to first, or depress and re-engage the clutch then put it in first.

When its really cold out sometimes the tranny doesn't like second gear, in that case I'll go straight from first to third until it comes up to temp.

dark911 Dec 2, 2010 09:23 PM

yea, when the traffic light turns green, and I can't engage.

I had a S2000, Boster before, and they don't seem to have this problem.

Peter1.8t Dec 2, 2010 09:33 PM


Originally Posted by dark911 (Post 3056476)
yea, when the traffic light turns green, and I can't engage.

I had a S2000, Boster before, and they don't seem to have this problem.

Does it happen when the car is cold? And do you have a short shift kit (SSK)?

mathfuzzy Dec 3, 2010 08:32 AM

For what it's worth, I've driven manual transmission cars as my daily driver for nearly 30 years, and about a dozen cars, and haven't experienced the problem as accutely as in my 997.2

It wasn't a problem at all in my 996 or two 993's. It was a completely different problem in my early 911 - those old synchros require mechanical sympathy - likewise a 1970 240z that I owned.

In this car, it just feels stiff and stubborn. No SSK on mine.

krpt176 Dec 3, 2010 08:40 AM


Originally Posted by mathfuzzy (Post 3056782)
For what it's worth, I've driven manual transmission cars as my daily driver for nearly 30 years, and about a dozen cars, and haven't experienced the problem as accutely as in my 997.2

It wasn't a problem at all in my 996 or two 993's. It was a completely different problem in my early 911 - those old synchros require mechanical sympathy - likewise a 1970 240z that I owned.

In this car, it just feels stiff and stubborn. No SSK on mine.

Mine is a 996 and I have the same problem. I usually go into 2nd then into first.
I agree it sucks when you are first at the light and the 90 year old woman next to me goes zipping past in her kia and the TT is stuck trying to get into gear...:)

ubiquitous Dec 3, 2010 08:51 AM

I've had the same problem on my 2008 C4S during the colder months when it was my DD during the winter. Kind of scary on a wet/icy/snowy hill and the guy behind you is on your ass.

I usually just depress then re engage the clutch and it usually works or I panic and just try to force it which probably isn't the greatest idea. I should try the 2nd to 1st though.


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