Can't shift into 1st in my Mk. IV

[kenratboy]

This is not a new problem, but my car (see sig) does not like shifting into 1st gear while in moting (going VERY slow) and sometimes, at a stop. It is a 5-SPEED obviously.

-In other cars with a stick, when moving at just a few MPH, you can slide it into 1st gear. On my car, I cannot, I need to double clutch with a blip of the throttle, then it goes in.

-Occasionally, from a dead stop, I cannot shift fron anything into 1st, I need to row thru a few gears before it goes in.

-There is no noise or harshness from 1st. Using and shifting OUT of 1st is just fine.

Whats up? Is this normal, or is this expected wear from 80k miles? I do not abuse the car, it's not that.

[white90dx]

Not normal... (ok, its normal for a Subaru tranny... but it shouldn't be). For reference, my gen2 5-speed has the original tranny and still slides into first at 10 or more mph when I want it to... I blip the throttle (double clutching) to be sure, but I have never had a problem.

When was the last time the tranny fluid was changed? Issues like this often improve a whole lot after a tranny fluid flush.

Good luck.

-Charlie

[kenratboy]

As far as I know, the tranny fluid is from the factory.

[white90dx]

Originally posted by kenratboy
As far as I know, the tranny fluid is from the factory.

There's your problem. You should probably be on your third batch of fluid... or maybe just your second. Change it and enjoy.

-Charlie

[Ratko]

My older gen3 v6 tranny used to do that. It was just old synchros.

My new solara tranny slides into 1st like ken griffy jr.

[kenratboy]

Can I change the tranny fluid myself (well, easily), or should I drop it off at the shop for a few hours?

[white90dx]

Originally posted by kenratboy
Can I change the tranny fluid myself (well, easily), or should I drop it off at the shop for a few hours?

Manual trannies are very easy to do. You will just need the right size sockets and a funnel with a hose on the end to refill the tranny.

-Charlie

[dj14901]

You can change the fluid yourself, just get a suction gun and some Redline Synthetic fluid for your transaxle. If you don't have one already, buy a Chiltons or Hayes manual, it'll walk you through the steps. After replacing my fluid with the Redline stuff, it's much easier to get into 1st gear...

I'm pretty sure I used Redline MT-90 (I can check at home if you need confirmation)...


HTH -

DJ

[kenratboy]

Hmmm, sound like a plan.