Rep Power: 0

Hey everyone,

I have a 2001 civic 2 door lx. It's got about 50k miles on it. About a month ago, I noticed that it's really hard to put the car in any gear, namely 2-5. It starts to go in gear, but then it feels like something's in the way and I really have to pull or push hard on the stick for it to go fully in gear... it feels like its about to fly back out of the gear if I let go of the stick, but it usually doesn't. It used to do this every once in a while, but seemed like it went away after like 20 minutes or so. However, it hasn't gone away this time for about a month. I haven't done much research on my civic - it's just my daily driver car. So, I'm not sure if this is a transmission problem, a clutch problem or what. Any help would be appreciated.

 
Rep Power: 303

Could be the shift cable bushings need to be cleaned and re-lubed. There was a TSB on it. The bushings at the transmission can corrode and seize up and cause very stiff shifting. If you look under the hood, on top of the transmission, you'll see the linkage with the 2 cables. They end in 2 bushings. Try some wd40 on them first to see if they loosen up. If they do, I'd suggest removing the clips, so you can clean everything and apply some white grease before re-connecting them.

 
Rep Power: 0

i have the same problem.. i heard it was just common for manual transmitions to get tight in the winter time. cuz that's the only time it's hard to shift, when it's cold. anyway from my knowledge just let the car warm up, to let the transmition's fluid warm up.

 
Rep Power: 267

same thing happens with me. First and reverse are bad gears for me. do what he said^^

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for the feedback guys. I can't imagine that this is natural though, because mine doesn't stop when the car warms up. And I have to pull really hard to get it in gear.. I'm 6"0 300 lbs and so I'd imagine a woman half my size probably would have a really bad time with it. If I stop the car and shift back and forth between 1st - 2nd and 3rd - 4th really quickly, it feels like the gears maybe get lubricated and it shifts okay... for about 2 minutes, then back to normal. It's really annoying me. I have more problems with this civic than any other car I've owned.

 
Rep Power: 0

Sounds like your clutch isn't disengaging. It may be time for a new one...

 
Rep Power: 0

Hey mine did that, try lubing the shifter assembly ball thing that the shifter rod goes into. It made mine quit doing that same thing.

 
Rep Power: 0

I am having almost the same problem. My difficult gears are 1st and 2nd. Reverse has always been hard. But I am used to that.

If anyone has time could you please post pics of these bushings and where they are located? I am having a hard time locating them. Should I be looking from under the hood or under the car???

EDIT: I am dumb. It says if you look under the hood.....but where?

 
Rep Power: 0

I am having the exact same problem with my Car. Its an 01 with 50k on it. Would this be an extended warranty covered issue? I've tried lubing it, it doesn't really seem to help. Would a fluid change help or am I going to need a new clutch?

 
Rep Power: 0

i have the exact same issue too. i think its a clutch issue rather than a gearbox issue, but i;m not sure. i think so because when i press the clutch down it takes forever to reduce RPMs.

 
Rep Power: 0

In my case I know it is not the clutch. I replaced the clutch and flywheel maybe 10,000 miles ago. It has to be something else. Anyone have a clue??? If so please fill me in.

 
Rep Power: 294

I think the vics are ****ed up in this matter because when i try to stick it in reverse sometimes it wont let me or it feels its ingaged and i let it out and the gears grind its embarassing same with first also so who knows what the hell

 
Rep Power: 0

i'm taking my civic to the dealer this week, we'll see what they say. i noticed that there was similar service bulletins for this for 01 civics:

02-039 JUL 02 M/T - Shift Lever Difficult to Move/Hard Shifting
01-081 OCT 01 M/T - Stiff Shifting/Pops Out Of Gear

 
Rep Power: 343

Yeah I find as if I have to try a couple of times to get it into Reverse, sometimes, because the shift doesn't feel solid. At that point I'm 90% sure that if I try to gas it, the clutch isn't engaged all the way and the motor will just Rev.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah please let us know what the dealer says and does to repair the problem. Unfortunatly, I am well outside my factory warranty so I wold have to repair this myself or go through my extended warranty.

 
Rep Power: 274

If it turns out to be the shift cable linkage and there's a quick lube fix, all well and good. if it turns out it really is your tranny not wanting to engage, I highly recommend RedLine MTL. stuff solved both of my "First gear adn reverse don't like to engage in cold" and my "Shifts feel a little stiff randomly" problems.

Good luck and keep us all posted.

 
Rep Power: 329

I had similar problems and I took the bushings of the linkage clean then good and lube them, problem fixed.
I had to sift back and forward till it feelt smoother.
But it actualy worked!
You'll be suprised the amount of crap that comes off them.

 
Rep Power: 0

Where are these bushings located at? I would like to do this too but am unfamiliar with the transmission linkage. Where is it. Someone please explain it in detail. Maybe a picture if possible. Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 0

Just came back from the dealer. My shifter seems smoother now.. Here's what they did:

1. Lubricate linkages (as suggested by tinman) $0
2. Drain and refill new MTF oil $70 CAD

 
Rep Power: 0

could it have anything to do with changing the transmission fluid

 
Rep Power: 303

The binding linkage bushings are a known problem, and there is a TSB on it.

Changing the fluid does help make it shift smoother, but it wouldn't cause the binding.

Both are a good idea to do as maintenance.

 
Rep Power: 0

i actually talked to acura about this, it seems like that all 1.7EL's and civic's have this problem sooner or later....i sent a letter to acura canada and they say they'll look into the problem....but after i sent it 6 months ago, never got a reply....

i've always had a problem getting into reverse...it'll go in half way (lights will turn on), but once i disengage the clutch, it'll grind and pop out....later i got the hang of it....but second gear has always been a biatch to get into, from first to second, i always have to go neutral a little bit then slap it into second.., third and fourth i have no problems...and 5th sometimes it's hard, but rarely...seocnd gear is my main concern....i'm thinking of putting some cf synchro's in there to help me shift a bit...we'll see how it goes

 
Rep Power: 0

I did my tranny fluid a few miles ago, i'm gonna try this linkage thing, I know exactly what your talking about. Mine has seemed a little funny going into second, like you said neutral, then slap it in.

 
Rep Power: 0

I don't think it's a clutch disk, I have the same problem I have civic si 07, it's the transmission fluid.

when you are cold I leave it 30 minutes warm but it is advisable to change transmission fluid for optimal operation.

 
Rep Power: 224

This thread is nearly 15 years old!

 
Rep Power: 0

it may be 15 years old but my 02 just started the same thing I'll be cleaning the bushings mentioned.

 
Rep Power: 0

Might be old but I just bought a 97 civic and am having the same problems after loosing all fluid within 300miles, having no pedal and very hard to shift gears.

 
Rep Power: 222

Did you find the leak and fix it? And then refill the clutch system and bleed it properly?