Hi guys. I'm starting to lose the fun in driving my 2003 S. When I shift from 1st to second at normal rpm I hear and feel a clunk. When I rev it to over 5000 rpm it shifts smoothly. Anybody know what's going on? If it was a bad 2nd gear synchro I would think that it would grind but I get a clunk. The car has 22,000 miles on it and I had the trasmission fluid and rear differential fluid changed a month ago. Any help would be kindly appreciated.

 

Hopefully it's not the clutch release bearing, I would try this solution first before moving onto other possibilities. Hope it helps.

https://www.s2ki.com/home/2010/03/11...rease-shifter/

 

Did the problem start exactly when you had the trans fluid changed? These transmissions are quite quirky, and a fluid that works well in one may promote grinding (and maybe clunking, I don't know, but I've had the grinding happen to me) in another. If it coincided, I would suggest changing the fluid again, using a different fluid this time. (I think there are three or four that owners tend to like, including Honda's own and Red Line MTL, but check into it because I don't know the complete answer.)

 

Does it get better once the car gets up to temperature? If so then I'd agree you may want to try a different tranny fluid. My car likes the Amsoil MTF but yours might prefer Honda, GM Syncromesh, or something else.

 

I seem to vaguely recall that there was also the issue of the "wrong" transmission fluid from Honda for a while as well.

 

Yes. It gets better after it warms up. I have honda Transmission fluid in there right now. What transmission fluid is the best for the 2003 and thanks for all the help.

 

Yes it did. Now that I recall.

 

I've been running GM Synchromesh non-friction modified in my S2000 for like 8 years....

Has worked wonderful....

When I had shifting issues in my 04 RSX-S, switched to it and all my problems went away.

For my first tranny fluid change in my Genesis.... its going in there also!

 

There really is no definitive answer to your question. The 2003 is really no different than any other AP1 tranny. My car is a 2000 model and I still get the occasional 1-2 clunk when it's cold. What I've found that works best for me is to rev to 4000 rpm, clutch, then slide the shifter through the gate as smoothly as I can - not fast, not slow, just smooth.

 

Agree. When the car is cold all s2000s have to be a little more deliberate with the 1-2 shift

In my '05 I used GM synchromesh like Mike did. With the CR, I'm running OEM transmission fluid.


Hopefully it's not the bearing