Gearbox problem. Help needed...

[ZaintS]

Hi

I have 1997 1.6L baleno/esteem and yesterday I started to have problems with my gearbox.

It shifts easily to 1st, but it doesn't want to let that gear go if I'm trying to go to 2nd. I have to put quite big effort into it to get it to neutral. Also it doesn't want to go to 3rd easily, but as soon it's in, it works perfectly. It also comes out from 3rd nicely. 2nd, 4th and 5th are ok. When gears are in, they all work perfectly.

I found out that 3rd is hard to get in only when going 2nd to 3rd, going 4th to 3rd is easy. And also if I rev it only to 1200-1300 rpm, 1st comes out nicely.

What could be the problem? I had my gearbox repaired few years ago. Is it possible it's broken again already? I don't race through gears so I don't think my driving could cause the problem.

Thanks in advance...

[nufrosty]

Sounds like it could be your clutch cylinder (if its hydraulic), or cable (if its mechanical).

I had a similar problem on my civic with a hydraulic clutch cylinder wearing out. My Esteem is an automatic so I dont know which type it is.

It was pretty easy to replace on the civic, just bolt up and need to bleed the hydraulic line. The clutch cylinder was located right behind the foot pedal.

[ZaintS]

Thanks for answering

My Esteem has cable. It might be the problem, but I think I inspected it some time ago...

[Fab]

FYI - I think the gear boxes are weak

I suspect you have something broken with the gear box... If it was the clutch cable, then all the gears would be hard to shift!

I have a '99 Esteem Wagon 1.6l 5spd with 132k kms, bought it new...

During the first few years, had the gear box repaired/rebuilt a couple of times (luckily under warranty) and last year I had to replace it!

Can't be my driving habit.... my first 5spd car was an '84 Corolla, bought it with 179k... drove it well over 300k, and never gave any problems!

[nufrosty]

The symptoms affecting lower gears more (and several of them - not just one) seems to point to the clutch not disengaging.

If the clutch is not fully disengaging, you are attempting to mesh gears with the engine idling and the transmission turning at the speed that the wheels are turning. Commonly known as 'rev-matching'. If you are not doing it on purpose, and with some experience, the extra force required to force in the gears can eventually accelerate wear on the gear teeth in your transmission.

As it happens, it is easier to rev-match higher gears, especially by accident.

[Isuzuzuki man]

Sounds like the tranny is farked. Check the fluid.