Rep Power: 0

1991 Civic with a D16Z6 engine mated to a 1988 5-speed transaxle. I'm told the 88 has a different number of splines so we had to get a clutch that matched. My grandson installed a light weight flywheel with a puck clutch. He got the car with a blown engine and installed the D16Z6 with this transaxle. When he got it all together, the engine started up fine, but putting it into any gear makes it react like it is in neutral. We can hear the car go into gear when the shift lever is moved. I have been underneath the car and visually watched it moved as well. When the car is off and put into gear, the car will roll. Hand cranking the engine feels the same whether in any gear or in neutral. We know the clutch and pressure plate rotate with the flywheel when hand cranking it, but I don't see the wheels turning while in gear. The clutch pedal doesn't feel all that normal. We have adjusted the cable (not a hydraulic) for the release (throw out) bearing and that doesn't change anything. I pulled the transaxle back out for inspection. I can put both CV axles into the case and spin the shaft of the transaxle and the CV axles turn. The clutch disc is not loose. The release bearing works by hand just fine. I don't see any damage to the pressure plate. Is this a problem with the differential portion of the transaxle? I don't see anything that tells me the clutch is the problem. I've never encountered such a problem and can't find a solution elsewhere. Any ideas are welcome.

 
Rep Power: 125

If it’s anything like my old integra was, it sounds like an axle issue. One of my axles popped out so neither of the wheels moved. Everything else worked but it was neutral in every gear.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you so much! I found out that with the driver's side half axle, the joint was pulled apart at the wheel side. I had to take the boot off and pop it back in. I got the transaxle back in the car and everything is now working fine. This situation was rather odd because we got the car with a blown engine and it was just rolling on and off the tow dolly. We didn't notice the popped joint as the boot was just a little out of normal shape (no tears or anything). The bottom line is you gave me something to look at and consider. It seems rather simple looking back on it, but was not something I had previously considered. Again, thanks for taking the time to reply. It sure made our day!

 
Rep Power: 125

Happy to help. I was told when I bought my Integra that it needed a new throw-out bearing because the clutch wouldn't engage when in gear, but it turned out the passenger side axle had just popped out. Best $300 I've ever spent.

It's always the easy things that get people.

 
Rep Power: 223

I bought a 2006 Accord for $800 last year with a "bad transmission". Driver side axle had been replaced and had popped out of the trans. Spent $30 on trans fluid and it was good to go.