Down Shifting from 3rd to 2nd?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Ivyland PA
Down Shifting from 3rd to 2nd?
Does anyone have a problem with this or am I the only lucky one? I'm not talking racing or anything just normal cruising. I'll go to down shift into 2nd from 3rd and it doesn't go in and I will either have to really force it in or push the clutch back in and retry. Any ideas on how to fix this or what the problem is? Should I take it to the dealer
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
The posibilities are:
(1) driver issue with shifter pattern. Everyone hates that insinuation but it's often the case.
(2) clutch issue relating to dirty hydraulic fluid. Have you checked your clutch fluid. If it's dark and funky, the actuation of the clutch can be inconsistent.
(3) tranny issue relating to faulty synchonizer.
With the coolant at normal operating temp?
I'd suggest ruling out (1) and (2) before concluding the issue is (3), which requires dealer intervention.
Ranger
(1) driver issue with shifter pattern. Everyone hates that insinuation but it's often the case.
(2) clutch issue relating to dirty hydraulic fluid. Have you checked your clutch fluid. If it's dark and funky, the actuation of the clutch can be inconsistent.
(3) tranny issue relating to faulty synchonizer.
With the coolant at normal operating temp?
I'd suggest ruling out (1) and (2) before concluding the issue is (3), which requires dealer intervention.
Ranger
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
No problem for me. How many miles are on the car? It could still be "breaking in".
If it continues to occure and you can repeat it I'd say there's a problem and a trip to the dealer is in order. BTW my last 3vette's (99, 03 Z06 and 06) have all been 6-speeds and I've never had a problem shifting them.
Tom
If it continues to occure and you can repeat it I'd say there's a problem and a trip to the dealer is in order. BTW my last 3vette's (99, 03 Z06 and 06) have all been 6-speeds and I've never had a problem shifting them.
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 126
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by MJMJ
Does anyone have a problem with this or am I the only lucky one? I'm not talking racing or anything just normal cruising. I'll go to down shift into 2nd from 3rd and it doesn't go in and I will either have to really force it in or push the clutch back in and retry. Any ideas on how to fix this or what the problem is? Should I take it to the dealer
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Cali
This seems to be a very common problem with C6's. I have read many posts on this topic when I was experiencing the same problem. What solved it for me and most who tried this trick, is not to force the shifter or even push it to 3rd. When you are in 2nd, just clutch and push almost straight up on the shifter(like you were going to put it 1st). This will cause the tranny to shift nicely into 3rd(goes in gear almost by its self). Replacing the stock shifter with an aftermarket one such as Callaway will also do the trick. Give this technique a try before you tear out your shifter.
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Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
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From: Jackson NJ
Originally Posted by MJMJ
Does anyone have a problem with this or am I the only lucky one? I'm not talking racing or anything just normal cruising. I'll go to down shift into 2nd from 3rd and it doesn't go in and I will either have to really force it in or push the clutch back in and retry. Any ideas on how to fix this or what the problem is? Should I take it to the dealer
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
If you still have the problem when you blip the throttle just before pulling down and over--palm of the hand only, I would guess a bad synchro. If that blip solves it, you are on your way to heel and toe--or more precisely, ball of the foot and toe...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ridnlo
This seems to be a very common problem with C6's. I have read many posts on this topic when I was experiencing the same problem. What solved it for me and most who tried this trick, is not to force the shifter or even push it to 3rd. When you are in 2nd, just clutch and push almost straight up on the shifter(like you were going to put it 1st). This will cause the tranny to shift nicely into 3rd(goes in gear almost by its self). Replacing the stock shifter with an aftermarket one such as Callaway will also do the trick. Give this technique a try before you tear out your shifter.
Some people claim an issue upshifting from 2-3, and this tranny does not make it easy, if you don't follow a very specific method. Only one I know of, though, has not been able to fix it via technique, and that person simply would not state that they had actually tried to alter technique and failed; they simply stated over and over that they knew how to shift and therefore the thing was broken.
This poster is stating a difficulty downshifitng from 3-2, and that is a new one on me - could be a synchro or a poorly disengaging clutch.
Mine is fine downshifting at any speed, especially if I RPM match.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
It Might be
I have experienced this on occasion. I might be wrong but the tranny might be locking you out from downshifting from to high a speed. Downshifting can cause loss of traction by applying braking action at the worse possible time. When I let the car slow down a bit it drops right into second. I never called to find out if that is what the cause is. Maybe someone can verify.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Ivyland PA
Originally Posted by Driver_WT
Had the exact same problem. Dealer installed new second gear and synchro, was done at the same time as the new first gear went in. Works great now, although it will still balk at going into first that 5% of the time which apparently is normal.
Thanks
Mike
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
Originally Posted by MJMJ
Does anyone have a problem with this or am I the only lucky one? I'm not talking racing or anything just normal cruising. I'll go to down shift into 2nd from 3rd and it doesn't go in and I will either have to really force it in or push the clutch back in and retry. Any ideas on how to fix this or what the problem is? Should I take it to the dealer
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 126
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by MJMJ
How long did it take the dealer to give you your car back? It seems like you had the same problem. I just hate to send my car to the dealer!
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point Ca
I also have an occasional problem downshifting into 2nd, besides not being able to shift into first gear when stopped at a light.
I've worked around the first gear issue by shifting into first gear *before* the car comes to a stop.
I've determined that my problem with second gear typically occurs when I'm coasting toward a turn with the clutch pedal *depressed*---second gear appears blocked when I attempt to downshift. I've taken to treating the second gear downshift more like a non-synchro tranny, and rarely (if ever?) have an issue now. Just leaving the clutch pedal up (clutch engaged) with third gear engaged as a I slow for a turn is also effective.
I've never had to shift a new car like this before, so I don't feel it's normal. But, I'm loath to have the transmission opened up, which could easily create other issues. Plus, upshifts are absolutely wonderful and precise (in all gears, including second)---I'm afraid to mess with that.
I've worked around the first gear issue by shifting into first gear *before* the car comes to a stop.
I've determined that my problem with second gear typically occurs when I'm coasting toward a turn with the clutch pedal *depressed*---second gear appears blocked when I attempt to downshift. I've taken to treating the second gear downshift more like a non-synchro tranny, and rarely (if ever?) have an issue now. Just leaving the clutch pedal up (clutch engaged) with third gear engaged as a I slow for a turn is also effective.
I've never had to shift a new car like this before, so I don't feel it's normal. But, I'm loath to have the transmission opened up, which could easily create other issues. Plus, upshifts are absolutely wonderful and precise (in all gears, including second)---I'm afraid to mess with that.
Last edited by Randall G.; Oct 10, 2006 at 04:26 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,430
Likes: 81
From: Whidbey Island WA
Downshifting from 3rd to 2nd comes with a pretty stiff gear reduction and the shifter will balk if you try and go early with no rev match. This was giving my wife fits when she drove the car because on a tight corner where she knew she would be coming out in second she would start trying to put it there as soon as she started braking. An extreme example but to a lesser extent are you perhaps trying too soon for a non rev matched down shift? Sometimes its the simple things that get ya.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I go from 3rd to 2nd every day on the same turn and it's a fun shift. Push the clutch down pull the lever into neutral let the clutch out and hit the gas, push the clutch down again an it pops into 2nd. After doing this a few times you will get the feel for how much gas it needs. When you master it you will find it is done as a very smooth shift and yes it is fun.
