2006 Honda Civic Transmission slips out of first gear

2006 HONDA CIVIC
29,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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PAUL FARMER
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My car is a 2.2 i-CTDi diesel model with 6 speed manual transmission. It drives beautifully and both engine and transmission work smoothly.

There is an intermittent problem (for the last 20,000 miles) with the transmission jumping out of first gear, which occurs infrequently. It tends to happen when traveling slowly for a distance in first gear, for example in a traffic queue. It also happens on the overrun, when decelerating in first gear.

Although I know the circumstances under which the problem occurs, both the local Honda dealer and I have been unable to make the car jump out of gear.

The engine mounts have been inspected and the gear linkage has been adjusted; however, this has not resolved the problem.

I am concerned that the problem will get worse in the future resulting in an expensive transmission repair.
Nov 22, 2009 at 3:57 AM
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KHLOW2008
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Hi Paul Farmer,

Thank you for the donation.

Symptoms described indicates a fault with the transmission 1st gear synchroniser hub and is an internal fault. Problem would worsen over time and you should get Honda to resolve the problem for you as it is definitely going to be a costly repair in time to come.

Possible cause of the problem :

1. Synchroniser hub locking tabs worn and not holding the sleeve in position.

2. Excessive thrust clearance between synchronizer hub and 1st gear. Could be due to some nuts or clips working themselves loose.

Disassembly of trans is required to perform repairs.

Try driving the vehicle low speed and gently depressing and releasing the accelerator to induce a slow rocking motion. With minimal pressure applied to the gear shift in the direction of moving it to neutral. If the gears jumps out very easily, it would confirm what I have stated above.
Nov 22, 2009 at 5:21 AM
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PAUL FARMER
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Hi KHLow,

Thank you for your very prompt reply.

I road tested the car per your instructions i.e. driving the vehicle low speed and gently depressing and releasing the accelerator to induce a slow rocking motion. Whilst doing so I maintained a light pressure on the gear shift in the direction of moving it to neutral.

Despite repeated attempts to provoke the fault, the gearbox stubbornly refused to jump out of gear. During normal driving, however, as I was coasting down hill in first gear towards a junction the gear shift popped into neutral without any provocation on my part.

I am both puzzled and frustrated by the transmission. Is it possible that the fault could be something else? Is there an alternative test that I could try?

Regards,

Paul
Nov 22, 2009 at 4:03 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Based on the test conducted, the trans shift linkages, shift forks and synchronizer hubs seems to be working corectly.

Apart from above, there are no other test that I can think of.

One of the posibilities is restriction to the shift cables not allowing the 1st gear to lock correctly at the moment of shifting in and when this occurs, the hubs are not fully locked. Under such circumstance, rocking of the engine would cause the gear to disengage.

You mentione adjusting and checking the linkages etc so it should have eliminated to problem.

With engine OFF, shift into every gear and feel for difference when the gears engages. Does 1st gear seem to be more difficult to engage as if there are restrictions, maybe some kick back feeling? If yes, check the cable, lever and linkages for restrictions.
Nov 23, 2009 at 5:38 AM