redemann

Sorry, I'm new and I've seen references to the grinding transmission problem, but no details. Here is my story, which I think shows that the 2003 model still has the same problem.

I just got home from the dealer today, where my 12 month-old 2002 S2000 is being serviced. My car makes a nudging/grinding sound when shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd, mostly at low rpm's. I had it at the dealer once before, when they claimed to have torn down the transmission completely and changed 2 synchro's, to no avail.

Today, they first claimed to not be able to verify the problem and offered for me to drive a brand new 2003 model. The 2003 floor model HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM in 2nd and 3rd gear and I was able to reproduce it with a service manager and later with the technician foreman sitting in the passenger seat (first in the floor model then in my own car). The technician foremen thought it was very "audible" today and will call Honda America to investigate the cause and possible fixes. Anybody else out there with the grinding problem? Any fixes?

Thanks, Jens

RoBD305

I experience it once in a while. Mostly its not a grind but not a smooth shift when I drive for the first 5-10 minutes. Once the transmission fluid warms up, it shifts smoothly.

HI SPEEDR

I sometimes experience a little "split second grind" in my '03 when going from 1st to 2nd. Not all the time though.

rworne

Mine does it only when the tranny's cold (1->2 shift only). After a few minutes of driving, it does not repeat.

Now that it's hot as hell here in So Cal, it does not do it at all.

redemann

Thanks guys, for the prompt replies. I am a little worried that this problem may be more prominent than some like to admit. My grinding/nudging is definitely worse when the car is cold, but it NEVER goes fully away, even after long distances on the highway. And like I said, the 2003 floor model did the very same thing.

What I am even more worried about, is that this problem will become unbearable once the 3years/36K mi. warranty is up. Any thoughts???

Thanks again.

Jens

slam126

When you mean grinding do you actually hear it grinding? My 03 seems to not shift smoothly sometimes from 2nd to 3rd. Now it does make any grinding sounds, but it doesn't shift in 3rd smoothly. It's more of a nudging feeling. I'm I describing the same problem or is this normal?

S2000 Cabrio

Are you guys depressing the clutch fully? You guys might move the seat a little bit forward so you can depress the clutch fully. I never have a problem on mine but mine is a 2001 model and my shifting are very smooth especially after I replaced the fluid with Redline products.

slam126

Yeah, I have the clutch all the way to the floor.

redemann

Yeah, I have the clutch down all the way too. Interestingly enough, this was the first suggestion by the Honda people as well. I am going to talk to the Honda-America rep next week, since he will be visiting the Ventura area. I'll keep you posted.

BTW, don't remember who asked, but the grinding is audible, maybe every 50th shift or so. The rest of the time I can only feel it in the shifter.

Jens

GregC21

My 01 has the grind (about 50% of the time) . Even after I had the TSB done. The technician swears up and down that it is a normal thing for the S. He also swears that it doesn't hurt anything. He offered to change my syncros, but he promises that the (grind) (more like a clunk for me) will come right back a few weeks later. So I don't really know what to do anymore.

Greg