Have to double-clutch when downshifting to 1st gear

sc2_ct · 04-13-2003, 09:17 PM

Well, I picked up a 99 SL2 with a 5speed for my sister yesterday, and today I gutted it for detailing and fix-ups. Well, I've noticed that when downshifting from second to first I sometimes have trouble getting it in gear, and on occasion have to double-clutch in order for it to slip into gear. I've already taken apart the center console and I used some WD-40 on a toothbrush that I've worked into all of the joints. I'm wondering if it is normal for this to be like this or if there are some more adjustments that I need to do? I've noticed that a couple of the joints are a little looser than what I've seen on other manual shifters, so I've been thinking of doing a bit of tightening. It is shifting very nicely other than that, 1st through 5th shift like a knife through butter, and downshifting is great except into first. When it does go in it does so really smoothly now and there is no grinding, so I know that the problem has to be in the shifter. Any ideas?

TWOLTRSL2 · 04-13-2003, 09:41 PM

I noticed the same thing with my car, but also into reverse. I assumed it was a safety feature you wouldn't accidentally shift into 1st or reverse while driving.

Just a thought
Tom

Robert-sl2 · 04-13-2003, 10:43 PM

If you are going over about 3 or 4 MPH and you try to get into first, it will not let you. When I am pullling upto stop lights I tend to gently press the shifter like I am trying to put it into 1st and when it slows enough it will slide right in (with the clutch in of course...).

sc2_ct · 04-13-2003, 10:50 PM

Okay, so it isn't just this car, thank God, that means that I don't have to rip the whole shifter apart. Now it's time to throw on her intake and get her started down the road of modifying Saturns

DarkApollo · 04-13-2003, 11:39 PM

yea. its a built in safty. so you dont blow up the tranny by thinking you are going to 3rd when really its 1st.

**Ssicarman** · 04-14-2003, 04:37 AM

Down shifting into first on most cars is the hardest thing to do. Because of gearing for 1st the gear train is spinning so fast that it takes a good bit to get things slowed down enough to go into 1st. Some cars it's not a problem and others it's a fight. Could also be wearing to worm blocker rings in the trans. If it doesn't want to do it fight it. Wait until the car has slowed down enough to to shift down with out a fight.

sc2_ct · 04-14-2003, 02:34 PM

I've just been double-clutching the downshift and just putting light pressure until the RPM drops enough for it to engage smoothly. My last two manual trannys were more difficult to downshift to first, but not quite like this. Just throught I'd see if it was normal, which it sure sounds like. Thanks for all the input guys.

Mike 94sc2 · 04-14-2003, 02:48 PM

I couldn't tell ya how mine is because I always blip the throttle to rpm match the engine and trans when I downshift...ya do that and it goes right in.

Mike

elovis · 04-15-2003, 02:48 AM

should i be worried if i can put it in 1st going 25. may be it is because i just changed the tranny fluid, or maybe the aluminum fly wheel either way. it wast like that before i swaped engines.

wolfman · 04-15-2003, 04:56 AM

Actually you should NOT be DOWNSHIFTING to first anyway. First gear is there to get the car moving from a dead stop...even the owner's manual tells you NOT to put the car in first if it is traveling at more than 1 or 2 MPH or rolling backwards..to do so will cause accelerated clutch wear, syncronisor wear and possible engine or transaxle/drivetrain damage.