1st gear problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 10
From: Toms River NJ
1st gear problems
Sometimes it takes almost 4 trys to get into first gear. Everytime I stop at a red light It won't let me put it into first and I have to try several times. Its sooo annoying. Took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Im thinking maybe the fluid has to be changed?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 1
From: Hickory NC
I recycle the clutch with a couple of pumps and while light is still red I try to put it into 1st for a second to make sure it will go. I try not to roll after this because sometimes problem may come back. This does not happen all the time, but I find myself preparing for it at every stop.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
This is pretty much normal for the T-56 trans in 05 to 07 cars. The manual says that if it won't go into first, move to neutral, let out the clutch and try again. That always worked but at a red light you'll get someone blowing their horn at you. Going to second first never worked for my trans. If you're on a hill, just let the car roll a little and it will slip in. Sometimes I'd just start in second. Or start a roll in second and drop it back into first.
The beauty of new transmission is that this never happens.
The beauty of new transmission is that this never happens.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 5
From: louisville "derby city" kentucky
need to change the fluid regularly. clutch is dragging. not opening up all the way due to the fluid being thin and contaminated. if you go to second first, you are just wearing the second gear syncho rings out early.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I have an 05 C6 and it does the same thing. My understanding is that it has to do with the shape of the gear teeth on the synchro rings (flat on top).
When mine will not go into first, I either let it roll a little bit (less than than a foot is all that is needed) or will put it in second, let the clutch just a little bit to get the car to roll (less than a foot) and then go back to first. If I do not have time to do this (impatient people behind me) I just start in second gear.
When mine will not go into first, I either let it roll a little bit (less than than a foot is all that is needed) or will put it in second, let the clutch just a little bit to get the car to roll (less than a foot) and then go back to first. If I do not have time to do this (impatient people behind me) I just start in second gear.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 536
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
if you dont mind holding the clutch in during the red light, you can put it in first as your slowing down, but before you stop. i.e. match revs and downshift to first as you approach the light. Mine seems to like this better than if I try to shift to first while at a complete stop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 44
From: Folsom Ca
This is really not an unusual thing to occur. It happens sometimes in my '05 C6 and sometimes with the Muncie wide ratio 4 speed box in my '69 C3. I just shift into second and back up into first. That takes care of it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 826
Likes: 52
From: Chicopee MA
I put in Royal Purple and have reduced the instances of the problem to the point of it rarely happening. It also helped on cold shift problem.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear AZ
My 04 GTO is notorious at doing this. does it with reverse too. My 07 vette not so much. I go back to neutral, then let the clutch out, and it goes in like butter afterwards. its just really annoying to have to do that. and yes ppl get pissy sometimes.
