I am a new(old) corvette owner. I recently purchased a 99' C5 convertible with a 6 spd. The car has 48K on it and in really good shape except for the issue I am having with the transmission. The car will go up and down 1st through 4th with no problem. However, when I shift to 5th, the car goes into gear with no problem then seems to get stuck there. Coming off the highway slowing down I engage the clutch and try to shift to a lower gear, it feels like it doesn't shift. The shifter moves most of the way to the lower gear but the car still feels like it stays in 5th. With the car stopped, I turn off the engine and play with the shifter until it finally feels like it is back to a normal shift movement. Sometimes after getting stopped, I think I get the car in 1st but when I release the clutch the motor bogs complete with no movement from the car. I have done the following to try and remedy this problem hoping that this wasn't a transmission problem.

1. Changed fluid in transmission. A fluid compatible with paper blockers.

2. Cycled clutch master cylinder fluid until clear(Ranger Method).

3. Replaced stock C5 shifter with MGW C5/C6/C7 shifter.

None of these corrected the problem although the new shifter feels awesome compared to the old shifter. Like I said earlier I am a new owner and am learning the car. I would even admit operator error but the car has done it with another driver and I driven sticks before and this just doesn't seem right. This forum has been great so far in working through diagnosing this problem with no previous experience with corvettes. I have fair mechanical knowledge but will readily admit when I don't know something and this has me stumped. I would appreciate any and all thoughts.

Thanks.

 

Bump.... Was hoping for some insight from this knowledgeable of a group. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Sounds like your shifter install may be to blame. There are no electronic parts that would stand in the way of a 5th gear movement.

 

Unfortunately the transmission had the same issues prior to the swap out of the stock shifter.

 

Mechanic found retaining "C" clip for 5th/6th shifting fork had come lose. Groove for clip on for is questionable. Replacing fork.