Trouble shifting into 3rd

[Savij]

'04 Acura RSX type S, 6 spd manual, 35k miles, 100ish miles on the new clutch.

Once or twice a day, I end up not being able to move the shifter into 3rd properly. It feels like I'm hitting a wall and just cant push the lever in far enough. If I try to hold the lever and let the clutch out then I grind, and if i just release the shifter knob right there then it pops into neutral as soon as I release the clutch pedal. The only way to get into gear is to back completely into neutral and try again.

I know I have the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor before I shift. At first I thought it was me not shifting properly on my new (to me) car. I just had the clutch, pressure plate and some bearing changed to try to fix this problem (as recommended by the dealer). The clutch feels a lot better, it no longer feels like the clutch on my old truck, but this problem of not being able to get into gear remains.

Any ideas about what could be causing this? It's still under warranty so I'll be taking the dealer soon, but would love to hear what you guys think while waiting for the appointment.

 

[alpineranger]

synchro problem? First you might want to try checking the tranny oil level and perhaps changing the oil

 

[amdhunter]

In the 8thcivic.com forums, many new Si owners complained of the exact same problem you are describing. Your RSX transmission is the same as the new Si's I believe. I think the 08 Si's have a slightly different transmission.

No one there has gotten theirs fixed yet, and Honda is seriously ignoring the problem...

EDIT: Google search seems to find more ppl complaining about the Si and RSX. Text

 

[spidey07]

I'd guess syncjro as well. Why would you need a new clutch after 35k miles? Was it bought used? If so some kid may have trashed the transmission.

Try double clutching to see if that helps, that could help the mechanic in diagnosis.

 

[thomsbrain]

Yikes, who kills their clutch in 35K miles? Might be the same kind of person who kills their synchros in 35K miles, too.

At any rate, the dealer definitely needs to fix this. Unacceptable on a car with that few miles.

 

[thecritic]

There's no fix for the third gear issues with Honda 6-speed manuals. Installling GM's Synchromesh FM fluid covers up the problem, but it doesn't fix the underlying cause.