While i'm driving and shift into 3rd gear, sometimes the stick immediately pops right back in to neutral for no reason at all. I have made sure that the clutch was fully depressed and I can't think of anything else that I have done that would cause this. all my other gears are fine and this only happens with 3rd gear on occasion. I have had this happen to me about 5 times since I've had the car (bought last November). I currently have 7700 miles on it. It is hard to reproduce because it does not happen all the time. So a dealer will likely say they can't reproduce the problem.

What is this problem? normal? covered under warranty? expensive?

 

my only guess would be user error...
this normally happens when the shifter has not placed the stick in the notch completely. it has happened to me before...maybe once or twice.

 

There has been a discussion of this here -

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/copying-ps2-games-117412/

I experience the very same thing, and it seems to happen when the car is cold. My change of the manual trans fluid at 9K miles seemed to help initially but I now experience this more frequently at ~11K miles.

It is an intermittent problem as you say. I anticipate this so now I push a little harder with 3rd gear whenever I sense that it doesn't seem to engage properly. This 2nd click of engaging 3rd gear seems to be needed.

Others have reported that changing to GM Synchromesh Friction Modified eliminates the problem, since it is less viscous than Honda MTF. I plan to try this if the dealer cannot resolve it after I can show him the problem. Living in MI, if this is caused by low temps I should experience it with increasing regularity as winter approaches.

 

Just a wild guess...

If it's not user error, could be the synchros.

 

I've got something similar to this too. Sometimes I just can't get it in to 3rd gear until the second or third attempt -- often after the sound of grinding! I'm sure it's not user error and only happens like 1 out of every 200 times I shift. And only into third gear. It just won't go in. All the other gears are silky smooth and just pop in place. Was planning on changing to GM Synchromesh but maybe should try the dealer first and see what they say....

 

Yeah, I know exactly what you're describing, miller. Mine has never popped out on it's own, but sometimes I can feel the shifter only going in about 2/3 way in into the 3rd gear - almost let out the clutch pedal once, too.

I heard somewhere that Honda's MT has this issue with the 3rd gear... is there any truth to this??

Also, do you think changing out the MTF would solve this? Mine's an 05 with 11k on the clock.

 

I read in another thread people having great luck with the GM Syncromesh stuff. Can't hurt to try it... but it would be nice if this would be something the Acura dealership would take ownership on (but not very likely since it is hard to reproduce).

 

in 3rd? that happens to me in 1st gear. And i know it's pushed all the way b/c it can't go any further...only got 2980 miles on my car so far.

 

Its Synchromesh issue..Bring it back to the dealer and they will fix that under warranty.

 

This is where the dilemma kicks in - if I take it in w/o changing the MTF, then they'll most likely rack up "test drive" miles and just say the couldn't reproduce it... or not pay attention and engage the clutch while the gear's half way in, and then say I f'ed it up from "aggressive driving."

And if I do change the MTF, and there's a problem down the road, again, they might blame it on the non-OEM MTF.

Paranoid? Yes. I'm thinking I'll just ride it out until it becomes more frequent. AFAIK, there's no TSB or anything out on this issue.

 

ndx2...same thought process going on inside my head and it's driving me crazy. I might call them up and see what they say about it. Not expecting much of a response though.

 

How would they know what kind of fluid you've got in there? They wouldn't...

I have had great luck with the GM fluid. I say change the fluid and see what you get. I'm going to change mine every 15K with this GM fluid.

 

What is synchromesh? Tranny Fluid or an actual part they change?

 

Oh an I have the same problem with third gear.... =(

 

Ditto, it's done it since day one. It only does it when I accelerate and then let off the gas with the car rolling at 10 MPH or better.

 

It is highly unlikely that the synchronizers would be at the root of this problem. My guess would be either your shifter is not fully inserting the dog teeth into the drive gears and the drive and driven gear are separating (popping out), or perhaps there has been some undue wear on the edges of those teeth. Regardless, you do not want this to continue.

 

well I feel for you guys with the 6MT... Yeah they can rack up time in the car and test miles and not say anything more than they could not reproduce it or you caused the problem. Keep taking it back since that is your only alternative. They have to fix it... If you do not go by the manufacturer's remedy to an issue you, cannot make claims of getting extended warranty, lemon laws, etc.

And I do not believe user error.. Sure there are plenty of people that are not great drivers...but this is not from that. A prematurely worn clutch sure.. but not this...