Wont stay in 1st gear

[99CC]

It started suddenly popping out of 1st without a little applied hand pressure and now it wont stay in 1st at all. 2nd doesnt seem problematic. I've heard there is a common 2nd gear synchro issue but my mechanic tells me its rare to have 1st gear issue but it's probably that and not a simple linkage adjustment (of course). Anyone heard of a first gear synchro issue?

Thanks in advance,

Ken

[jwgn777]

[COLOR="Purple"] And your mechanic already did this simple adjustment and it did not correct the problem?/COLOR]

[99CC]

No, I described the issue to him on the phone.

[thumbdoctor]

Are the shift cables OK, I've repaired a few with plastic tab broken on shift cable due to coffee / soft drink spilled into shift assembly. Eventually the spill congeals and binds the cables.

[jwgn777]

b[/B]

[99CC]

Thanks but I am frankly afraid to crack this thing open and mess around with it myself. If I could do a visual inspection and confirm its not something simple and obvious as suggested, I would feel better about it when the mechanic tells me I need a new gearbox. Is removing the center console simple where I could do a visual inspection?

[jwgn777]

You have to remove the shifter boot and the shift knob ,side covers by the radio to access some fasteners and the side cover next to the hand brake and then remove the console. There are torx fasteners hidden under the ash tray and in the rear compartment in the rear of the console. It is a little tricky if you never did this.

[thumbdoctor]

to remove the shifter knob, pull it straight up. You may have to straddle the console to gain purchase of the shifter to apply enough force to remove the knob. Worth looking at before dispensing lots of coin to your Technician base on a phone conversation.

[jwgn777]

Originally Posted by thumbdoctor

to remove the shifter knob, pull it straight up. You may have to straddle the console to gain purchase of the shifter to apply enough force to remove the knob. Worth looking at before dispensing lots of coin to your Technician base on a phone conversation.

I agree you sometimes need to apply lots of pressure to remove the shifter. I remove the cap and slide a thin blade screwdriver between the shifter and knob the put some penetrate oil in there.