Hey fellas,
2004 w/ 90k miles. Pretty much out of nowhere I started having major problems getting the car into first as well as reverse from a stop. It will go into gear if I 'double clutch' essentially push clutch in, let out, clutch in again slide into gear all from stop.

The car does feel like its surging when I do put it in gear from a stop.

I changed out the tranny fluid with no imporement.

I checked the clutch pedal its looks ok

I topped off the clutch master cylinder with only mild improvement.
Its only first and reverse, and only appears from a stop.

I suspect a synchro issue since it appears to shift into gear after pumping the clutch twice. I also doubt this is a very rare problem, I was hoping for some advice or troubleshooting.

Thanks fellas.

 

If double-clutching while stopped helps get it into gear, then it's the pumping of the clutch pedal that is essentially helping I would think; which would mean you need to bleed your clutch fluid, as you probably have a slight amount of air in the line.

 

I am having the same exact problem. Any update on the original problem? I even topped off my master and found minor results. I'm thinking it's my clutch, but also considering the Master cylinder. I will drain the Master tomorrow and refill / bleed it.

 

it sounds to be a significant issue, but i feel like in a lot of cases its just a finicky quirk for s2000s, the gear box is so precise if its not manipulated just right it aint going in. Once my MY00 is warm it shifts like butter but when cold i have notchiness

 

Did you happen to change the clutch, pressure plate, throw-out berring, or flywheel recently?

I didn't start having the 1st gear/reverse gear problem until I changed my pressure plate to a more agressive one.
That was my situation. I have heard that if you do put a new clutch in it you will get some hard shifts until it's "broken" in.

 

same issue, i just put it into third and then first/reverse works like a charm.

 

Just an update. I just tried draining my master and refilling / bleeding. Also serviced the Tranny. It shifts smooth as butter now but still doesn't want to go into first gear. I can try and put it in gear then release the clutch, push it again and it will then accept the gear, OR if I hold slight pressure on the shifter (like trying to slip it into first) and press the clutch pedal while holding pressure it will slide into gear. When bleeding I noticed the SLIGHTEST amount of fluid coming from under the boot on the slave cylinder. Not even enough to make it wet to the touch. I will be changing the slave AND master cylinders this evening (one at a time of course) to hopefully trace down the root cause. Next step after that will be a clutch. I don't even want to consider buying a Transmission if the clutch isn't the culprit.

 

Even though you may have just solved you problem I'd like to add that if you shift push in the clutch and just bring it down to second gear and go back to neutral before you take off in first gear it makes it a bit easier.

I experenced this very problem with my wifes old prelude and my old Civic and by doing this you are lining up the syncro's in advance to free up that bind. Reverse probably won't work the same being we don't have 5 gears but hopefully you solved the issue.

 

i had the same problem, one. there is a bulletin about the 1st and reverse problem, the splines on the output shaft are not lubed correctly making 1st and reverse difficult to select, second. your clutch system should be inspected for leaks if none are found, bleed the clutch fluid, i used two bottles of dot3 when i bled mine and it solved it completely, the pedal feels great and no issues selecting a gear, of and by the way if you bled your system you need to use a vaccume bleeder not your foot, that will take alot of time and may not do the job correctly.

 

I had the same problem before and found out it was my CMC (clutch master cylinder). The seals started leaking. I replaced it with an OEM one and the problem is gone.

Here is what my old CMC looked like:



- Sung