03 CL TypeS

I noticed about a month ago or so, that when I am at a stop it's hard to shift in first gear (from neutral). Clutch is fully pressed, etc. But sometimes it just won't go in 1st gear. If I shift to 2nd it works fine, and then it goes in 1st fine too. But I shouldn't have to go in 2nd, and then 1st.

It doesn't happen if the car is rolling.

I've had the car since April of this year, and it didn't do this until about a month ago. Used to shift to 1st just fine. Everything else is OK, all the other gears are fine, on grinding, nothing.

Anyone know what it could be? I'm afraid it's a bent shift fork. And my car has no warranty, because it's a US export to Canada.

All Mine

My '95 Accord used to do that. One time I couldn't get it into first to save my life. I was on a hill and had to start in second gear. That was a bitch and a half, let me tell you. What I ended up doing was uninstall the shift linkage from the shifter (Was a Forbidden Short Throw shifter), then played with it for a few minutes, then reinstall it, and I never had a problem with it after that. You can try that if you'd like. Just an idea. Good luck with it.

Lord Helmet

I'd bet it's the shift fork. I had the same problem with my '00 Impreza. Also, my now ex-g/f had the same problem in her '03 CL-S. The only difference is she butt rapes the car every time she gets behind the wheel, so SHE BROKE the shift fork and ruined the clutch. All in one night. I kept telling her she's gonna ruin it but no one ever listens to me...

xenolite

You can try changing the tranny oil.
It felt better after I changed mine.

Zippee

If it makes you feel any better, the Aston Martin DB# and 4 had the same problem back in the early '60s. Drop into 2nd, then forward to 1st was the drill for them.

Just pretend you're James Bond......

Joe5.0

Mine sometimes has done that, and even a couple times only went halfway into gear and then grinded a tiny bit & popped out when I tried to accelerate. I find that if I VERY slowly let it out and give it a little gas it lines up the syncros, and slides into gear easily.

Mine has done it very randomly since it was about 1 yr old, and I doubt my shift fork is bent, as I dont really shift hard. I am due for a tranny fluid change (i'm @ 33k), so I'll report back when/if it changes anything.

All Mine

Oh yeah. Pump the clutch twice, then try it.

Joe5.0

Sometimes that helps, but not likely. If the clutch was sticking that would help (sometimes my mustang does this at the track after 5k rpm launches), but I think its more of a syncro issue.

Chopsie

Complete stop and hold the clutch in for at least 30 secs... give tranny a chance to stop spinning.
Also try putting it in another forward gear, then back into first, or do like Joe does and let the clutch up a little.
My 01 Teg GS-R does the same thing, in 1st and Reverse.
gotta get the syncros lined up, like Joe said.

03 CL TypeS

Thanks for the replies guys.

It's nothing major to worry about.

And it will be all forgotten about when I trade her in for a Z06 next spring!

anothercls

It very well could be from the cold. I have noticed this with going into 1st or reverse at different times, but only in the cold.

All Mine

Bish! I thought you were selling her to me then?

03 CL TypeS

Well it was simpler to type trading it in, but the plan is actually to sell her privately.

I'll most likely be selling it in Canada though, since I would be losing too much $$$ by selling it in the US (currency exchange).

But hey, if you wanna pay 30K CAD this upcoming spring, it's all yours!