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There are countless threads about 2nd gear feeling notchy, and some folks saying their trannys completely failed. A common response to these threads is to link to this TSB about 2nd gear popping out <http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/TSBScans/sb626650.pdf> as if that will solve the problem.

But . . . has anyone had a dealership accept this TSB and fix their transmission?

I've been told that the TSB applies only to 01s -- as it clearly says on the TSB -- and that 02s and 03s are out of luck.

So have any of you who don't have 2001s been able to use the TSB to fix tranny problems? I'm wondering about this because more and more 02 and 03 owners are posting threads about this, and it doesn't seem as though the TSB "solution" will work for them.

My 02 LX manual has only 14K miles on it, but less than 6 months left on the warranty, and I've always had the notchy 2nd gear problem. If I'm going to get Honda to fix it, I'll have to do it soon, but three dealers have ignored the TSB that everyone mentions here.

 
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My 2002 had a really notchy feel to it when going into 2nd gear, but lately it seems alot smoother. Not sure why but it has. I'm at about 18,200 miles so far and hope it stays this smooth.

 
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Yeah I would really like to know this problem. Im having the same issues as you and Ive posted in previous months about the problem. Honda tellms me NFF (no fault found) and it comes back feeling like they lubed the shift linkage or something but its still there. Mine started around 6000 km and now with 32,000lm it doesnt show any sign of getting better.

Being in canada and with the cold weather (this week was -17 C or -2 F ) the transmission cant be shifted smoothly into second unless I double clutch or I drive for a 1/2 or so. I also find it has a problem shifting to first from second when cold and it will not go in unless I come to a complete stop. I know the safety feature there to prevent shifting to first above 5 miles per hour, but when its cold it wont shift unless stopped totally. Once the transmission warms it acts normal. Anyone else having these problems?

 
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^^^ yeah, its pretty cold here in IL lately too. when its cold out and my car isnt warmed up i feel like i'm grinding sometimes going into second gear. but once the car is all warmed up its normal.

 
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I can't remember off-hand who the members are, but I'm pretty sure several people here have had their 2nd gear grind/problems fixed by showing that TSB.

 
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Ronin,

I think you're right. But if they were owners of 2001s, then that won't help the rest of us. To my knowlege, there is no TSB covering 2002s and 2003s, which is why I'm wondering if anyone has used a TSB to fix a car from one of those years.

 
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what is a TSB coz i have that problem

 
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Ah, ok ... sorry, guess I didn't read your post carefully enough.

That TSB for the 01 is the only one I've seen, but it's definitely worth a try to use it for those of you with 02's and 03's with that 2nd gear problem.

In your case, you've already been refused by 3 dealers, like you said. But if your car is still under warranty, it shouldn't matter if that TSB applies to your car or not. If your 2nd gear is messed up, they should fix it, TSB or no TSB.

You should go back and get those dealership idiots to take the car for a test drive (and be sure you go along with them so that you know they see the problem). There's no way they can refuse you warranty service for an obvious defect like that if you still have warranty time left on your car.

As a last resort, get Honda America involved... I've dealt with them before and they are more helpful than most people think.

Also, make sure you have documentation showing that you have tried to get your 2nd gear fixed during your warranty period ... just in case this drags on past your warranty expiry date.

 
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exactly same here
i showed them the TSB but they just said its for 01s not 03s
and they said everythings okay..
i still have this problem..my car is like 6months old and has 6000miles on it..
my 2nd gear feels more stiff than other gears
i tried to deal with it but i couldnt
it so annoys me..
and for the 1st gear problem that Devst8n said..
i have same problem here
but it always happen not depending on weather
i thought it was normal caused by safety system since i never driven manual car before i bought this 7th gen civic coupe
anyway my car doesnt get into 1st gear before it comes to complete stop.
if cars rarely rolling, it goes into 1st gear with some weird feeling if i give it some force (feels like something blocks the shifter)

i really wanna fix this problem before i install my revo ss..

and let me know
if someone with this problem had installed revo ss..
i wonder if it will fix the problem or make it worse..

 
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i had it fixed under warranty after i printed the TSB and brought it to them cause they had no clue what it was

 
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xtremejm,

what year is your car? 2001, or 2002-2004?

 
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how they fixed it?
what was the problem?
i wanna talk about it to my dealer..

 
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I have the same problem. I have a 2002 Si Coupe 5spd. I bought it in May of 03 new. Its been like that since new. I had the dealer test drive it and said it was absolutely normal. Pissed me off. Also, Ive had occasional problems not being able to get it in first gear when standing still. Where Ive had to try 3 or 4 times to go at a light. But thats once in a blue moon. The harsh 1st -> 2nd shift happens almost always. At the perfect RPM if I granny shift it just right its smooth. Sometimes when Im driving fast its also smooth. But most normal driving it grinds and I have never missed a shift, never punished my car.

 
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You can use TSB's for the 2nd gear problem and the Idle Air Control Valve as well. It's a little harder to use them here in Canada because they're mostly American TSB's. Honda Canada doesn't recognize all of them.

I didn't use it for the 2nd gear problem but I could have had I known about it.

I did use an American TSB for my IAC valve but it took some doing. My dealership had to work a little magic to get Honda Canada to allow it.

 
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2nd feels like its stuck sometimes, like i got the shift lever stuck in gum. i dunno if its really a problem or not, but i wouldnt doubt it being the same stuff as in the tsb

-02 ex sedan