I have 97 CL manual and the past couple of weeks I have had trouble shifting into fifth gear. The weird thing is it only happens when I'm traveling more than 55mph. If I'm under that it shifts perfectly unless I try to skip a gear like going from 3rd to 5th, or if I pause for to long and let the rpms fall too low. Above 55 it feels like the clutch isn't working, I can get into gear but I have to synchronize visually using the tach. With normal sequential shifting under 55mph everything is great.

I talked to a mechanic and he said the tranny is the same as the Accord and 5th gear is outside the main transmission. He said I'll probably have to replace the fork and the gear and its not that hard. But he hasn't looked at it, just judging from what I told him.

After searching I've seen that people have had some improvement with tranny problems after replacing fluid. Could that possibly help me?

Also the "Maintenance Required" red dot is showing on my gauge cluster. Been that way since I bought the car Feb. Talked to a mechanic about that a few months ago and he said it was just the last guys that did maintenance on it forgot to reset the indicator. Maybe that has something to do with it, maybe not.

 

If you're sure the clutch is releasing good at stop and low speeds, then problem must be w/ the 5th gear synchro or fork. At higher speeds, there may be some wobbling that would make shifting more difficult. Looks like trans must be pulled.

Maintenance Required is just a mileage switch that goes to red after 3000 miles (I think) since reset. Reset switch is in instrument panel, a flush or slightly recessed button that is pushed w/ a key to reset. I think keyswitch has to be ON to reset.

good luck

 

the keyswitch doesnt have to be on to reset.

 

yeah, after a little more driving and some research, It looks like its the 5th gear synchro, Especially since it shifts out of fifth with no problems.

one more question, If I open up the tranny, do I have to pop off the 1st through 4th gears to get at the 5th gear synchro, possibly damaging the other gears?

 

if you dont know how the manual transmission works or what to look for just spend $500 for a mechanic to fix it. well worth it and saves alot of time for yourself.