First Gear Won't Engage

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Oct 31, 2004

CrazyCanuck

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First Gear Won't Engage

I have a problem with my 03 EX Coupe 5-Speed.

1st gear won't engage once out of every 10 times or so. When I'm stopped, I change to 1st gear and I can't shift it all the way in. It stops about half way (seems to be when the gears would engage). If I can roll the car a bit with the clutch in it'll finally engage, otherwise I have to start in second.
It was never a smooth gear, always a little rough going in, but gradually getting worse.

Anyone see this before?

Oct 31, 2004

Mr.Modify

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happens to mine to.....prolly another honda defect.

Oct 31, 2004

Civic04

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I have the same prob with reverse

Oct 31, 2004

dariusld

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Have you checked or changed your fluid lately?

Oct 31, 2004

ZdS03Civic

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When that happens, put the car into third, then try first again. Its almost like it has to be aligned.

Oct 31, 2004

CrazyCanuck

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Fluid is good.

The third to first trick does work, I think it is an alignment issue.
Hopefully one the dealer will fix.

Oct 31, 2004

thrash_273

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let us know the progress after the dealer fix it.

Nov 1, 2004

Quijano187

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i have the same problem and honda looked at me like if I was crazy? Im losing faith in honda itself

Nov 1, 2004

Atticus

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tranny defect for sure. service bulletin should cover it.

Nov 1, 2004

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aznboysrfr

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gears have teeth. sometimes the tip of the teeth hit another ...

just release the brake for a sec ... no biggie

Nov 2, 2004

#11

VTECTypeR

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If it doesnt go to first gear i usually put it in reverse than back to first and it works good for me

Nov 3, 2004

#12

tripledoublegs

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does happen to me every once in a while... not that much though

Nov 3, 2004

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topnotch7gen

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happens to me in reverse usually but not all the time.

Nov 7, 2004

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Revmaster

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It happens to me very seldom.

Try stepping on the clutch pedal a little harder then engage to 1st gear again.

If that wont work, depress the clutch fully then engage in 2nd gear and back to first gear.

That'll work for sure.

Nov 7, 2004

#15

lkm

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you know, in auto tranny, first gear not engaging means it gonne go soon. now in manual, not sure but im willing to bet that the tranny won't last past 105k w/o major work or some serious babying.