5th gear locked out?

[JPS Europa]

Anybody ever experience this? Last night after driving 4 hours, I got off the highway, went through the gears but when I went to shift to 5th it felt locked out. I could not even get over to the gate. Tried about 5 times from 3rd and 4th...no cigar. Slowed down, went down to second, tried to engage 5th again and it went in. The problem did not repeat itself. This is not a clutch problem. Definitely linkage or internal to the trans shift mechanism. This ever happen to anyone and what caused it. '94 w/35K miles. I hope it does not act up again, but it will, because all cars are junk and I have 2 other cars in pieces all over the garage and workshop right now, so the timing seems right.

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Happy Motoring At all Costs!

 

[ACR_Motorsports]

Could be the 5th gear syncro getting worn. However, it is odd to have worn syncros on 5th gear before you see it in other lower gears. Quite a few have experienced worn syncros on 1st, 2nd or 3rd gears. You also mentioned that you have a problem getting over the shift gate to 5th, which is a sign that it is probably a shift linkage/shift mechanism related problem.

Originally posted by JPS Europa:
Anybody ever experience this? Last night after driving 4 hours, I got off the highway, went through the gears but when I went to shift to 5th it felt locked out. I could not even get over to the gate. Tried about 5 times from 3rd and 4th...no cigar. Slowed down, went down to second, tried to engage 5th again and it went in. The problem did not repeat itself. This is not a clutch problem. Definitely linkage or internal to the trans shift mechanism. This ever happen to anyone and what caused it. '94 w/35K miles. I hope it does not act up again, but it will, because all cars are junk and I have 2 other cars in pieces all over the garage and workshop right now, so the timing seems right.

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www.acrmotorsports.com / 949-929-8973



[This message has been edited by ACR_Motorsports (edited 12 September 2002).]

 

[JPS Europa]

I am sure that it is not a sychro problem. I was not even able to put a load on the sychro. The problem was the inability to engage the for right gate so I am sure that it is linkage related. I don't know if it is linkage or the something with the shifter forks themselves. I was just wondering if there is some NSX specific problem that I should look for first or does it fall into "just one of those things". Thanks for your response.
Paul

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Happy Motoring At all Costs!

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Paul,

Does not sound like a syncro or clutch to me. It definately sounds like the linkage. Which means it could be internal linkage in the trans of some problem with the shifter itself.

If you can get it to happen and get the car up in the air, remove the gray plastic cover under the trans. You will see the two shift cables. If you move the shifter you will see the cables move.

Seems like as you go to the 5th gate, you will see the cable tug, but no movement. Disconnect the cable to isolate if it is internal or a shifter/cable problem.

Can you get reverse no problem??

HTH,
LarryB

[This message has been edited by Larry Bastanza (edited 13 September 2002).]

 

[Larry Bastanza]

[This message has been edited by Larry Bastanza (edited 13 September 2002).]

 

[JPS Europa]

I will just wait to see if it happens again. I have lot's of other cars to crawl under for the next couple of weeks, so the NSX can wait. I will pull that cover off though and take a look. It must be happening because it is sharing the garage with the Europa, which is getting its shift linkage rebuilt, as well as a valve job, and new motor mounts, and new rear suspension rubber, and new camber links, and new flexible brake lines...I love my NSX...so sturdy!
Paul

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Happy Motoring At all Costs!

 

[I Grok NSX]

JPS - On occasion, my '94 with 21k seems a bit stiff when shifting into 5th. Usually after the car is warmed up. But have always been able to shift into 5th, just cranky sometimes. Changing to MTL helped a bit, but still have the problem.

Maybe when I reach 35k, I'll experience the same as you, so I'll keep watch of this post. Good luck.

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1994 Green-black roof/tan, 5 speed
NSXCA 1650