02 Vette "1st Gear Brick Wall" - Will not go into 1st : Random Occurences

[mmisky87]

Hey,

I have ran into a snag with my Vette and am seeking help/guidance with the resolution of the problem. I have a 02 Corvette MT-6 60k that has what seems to be a random issue with going into 1st. I have looked through multiple forums and this one seems to be fairly similar to mine: http://corvettemechanic.com/forum/c5-technical-questions/1154-if-its-not-shifter-its-alignmentnext.html .

A few facts about my problem:
- The only problem gear is 1st.
- EDIT: Today I put 25 miles on it and ran fine as can be. I stood still for awhile and did the following cycle 1) clutch in, 2) shift into 1st, 3)shift out to N, 4) clutch out. I did this for about 10 times and finally I hit "the wall". When I hit the wall, and with the clutch still in, I moved through the other gears fine and finally back to 1st which it took fine. I did the cycle one time after this with no problem. Then the 12th time I hit "the wall" again.
- I am not sure if this is normal, but whenever I have the car in neutral and press/release the clutch it does not make any popping noise (no matter how slow/fast I release the clutch), but you can still hear the friction points. Whenever I depress the clutch, move into ANY gear, and bring it back to neutral, release the clutch, it make a loud pop (the loudness depends on how quickly I let off the clutch).
- If I am at point A, it may slip into 1st with no problem for 5 Miles, or it may hit "the wall" at every stop.
- It happens when the car is hot/cold, but more prone when hot.
- When "the wall" is starting to occur, the clutch has a different feel to it. It becomes more stiff/spongey. When "the wall" issue is not occuring, all of the shifting is SMOOOTH as butter.
- If I run into "the wall", can bring it to N, let out clutch, put clutch back in, and it will go into 1st 100% of the time. I have not seen anyone mention this problem/solution.
- If I run into "the wall", I can bring it to 2nd, then back to 1st...70% of the time.
- If I run into "the wall", the shifter is moved halfway into trying to go into 1st and of course will not take 1st at all. I let the clutch out slowly and the trans eased itself into 1st with the help of me pushing foward.
- One thing I noticed (once again not sure if it is normal), no matter how far I have the clutch pushed in, if I move into 1st:the car will nudge forward ever so slightly, move into 2nd:the car will nudge forward, but not as much as 1st. The other gears, including R, do not move the car. The only reason I noticed it is because my door was open very close to a poll.

The problem occured with my stock shifter and have recently moved to a B&M Ripper, but it still has the same issue. I have aligned the shifter from all the way forwards, center, and back with no significant changes. My cas has a 1-4 skip shift eliminator. A trans shop in my area has suggested that it may be a snycro issue, but he cannot confirm without driving it. Unfortunately, this problem is random and may not occur when he drives it. If anyone knows has a suggestion, it would be greatly appreciated.

[ToolGuy]

I am confused on how you aligned it all the way forward and back?

The alignment procedure uses the alignment pin. You lock the pin, then tighten the bolts. You can't move it for or back since the pin holds it in one place only, the proper place for alignment.

Have you ever changed out your clutch fluid?

Have you also ever changed the trans fluid?

My feelings on the skip shift are it is a waste of money. I just increase the RPMs slightly and the light goes off.
Have you driven the car without the skip shift to see if it is causing an issue?

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by mmisky87

[SIZE="3"][FONT="Century Gothic"]Hey,

I have ran into a snag with my Vette and am seeking help/guidance with the resolution of the problem. I have a 02 Corvette MT-6 60k that has what seems to be a random issue with going into 1st. I have looked through multiple forums and this one seems to be fairly similar to mine: http://corvettemechanic.com/forum/c5-technical-questions/1154-if-its-not-shifter-its-alignmentnext.html .

A few facts about my problem:


- One thing I noticed (once again not sure if it is normal), no matter how far I have the clutch pushed in, if I move into 1st:the car will nudge forward ever so slightly, move into 2nd:the car will nudge forward, but not as much as 1st. The other gears, including R, do not move the car. The only reason I noticed it is because my door was open very close to a poll.

This part of the problem sounds like a clutch problem. It's not impossible to have two problems though, clutch issues and possibly worn synchros.

[mmisky87]

Hey Toolguy, I do no have an alignment pin for the B&M shifter. Have not changed/flush trans or clutch fluid. Nor have I ran without the skip shift eliminator.

The problem is very random. I can go a day without the problem or it may have a couple of times in a day. I spoke to a Vette specialist in the area and suggested this is common for the C5's for 60K

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
The key is that when you release the clutch, and then push it back in, you spin the shafts.
Its simply tooth to tooth contact.
There is nothing wrong here.
Based on spin down rates, it is completely normal as long as you are NOT experiencing ANY other shifting concerns.
Allthebest, c4c5

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by c4c5specialist

HI there,
The key is that when you release the clutch, and then push it back in, you spin the shafts.
Its simply tooth to tooth contact.
There is nothing wrong here.
Based on spin down rates, it is completely normal as long as you are NOT experiencing ANY other shifting concerns.
Allthebest, c4c5

Hi Paul,

How about his creeping forward in first and second gears with the clutch fully depressed?

Hope everything is going well at your new dealership.

[mmisky87]

Hey c4c5specialist, so it can be expected not to be able to enter 1st sometimes at a stop light? I was concerned because this was my first MT that has done this. The owner of a Vette dealership/service said this is to be expected..but did not mention any remedies. Would a clutch/trans flush be of any benifit?

If all of that is normal..the only thing, as LLC5 mentioned, is the car will creep foward ever so slightly with the clutch fully depressed in 1st/2nd only (more dominant in 1st).

[mmisky87]

Woops double posted (edited)

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
As for the creeping, which I missed, sorry.
That is a clutch hydraulic condition or the pilot bearing is binding. Are you experiencing any abnormal vibration???
Allthebest, c4c5

[mmisky87]

Double Post