Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Trouble shifting in general

Hey fellas,

I have a 99 SE with MTX-75 and I'm having some issues getting her into gear. 67K on the car. I find it really hard to get her into reverse when I first fire her up in the day. Usually afternoon. It is particularly dificult when the engine is at hight idle upon startup. I also have some problems going between 2 and 1 and vice versa. I have bled the system within the last 2 months, but this is a reoccouring problem. The tranny fluid was changed by myself last march ( prolly 5-6K ) I put the cocktail with mobile 1 ATF in there. It's slowly getting progressively worse. Is it a problem with syncros, slave cylinder, aging clutch. I just want some ideas or whatever y'all can think of. I'd like to have an idea so I can budget some repairs when I need to.

Thank you all!

-Chris S

Syncros are a likely culprit.

I would run just regular (dino) ATF+3 and see how that goes.


The synthetic fluid is just making the "suspected" dying syncros worse.

It is very unusual for the reverse gear synchro to get worn out. It sees very little action as compared to the 1st and 2nd gear synchros. If he is having trouble in all gears I would suspect the clutch slave cylinder. I had an issue with my car where I could hold the clutch in and rev the motor above 6K with the shifter in 1st gear...the car would actually start to move forward if my foot was not on the brake! It seemed that the clutch was still making light contact and when the rpm's were high enough it would drag and create movement. The dealer ended up replacing the clutch, pressure plate and slave cylinder and the problem was solved.
It made for some stiff shifting.

Today The car is shifting great. WHat the heck. Like I said it is hit or miss. One additional note, I really have to make sure the clutch pedal is to the floor before shifting or It'll, well grind. I used to be able to get her in about 80% and still shift fine. Not on purpose of course, but just as a habbit ya know.

thanks again,

Chris S.

This does sound like the clutch is not fully releasing. Start by flushing and bleeding the clutch hydraulic fluid.

Something else that helps with the first few shifts in the morning is to start the engine with the trans in neutral, let the clutch out after the engine is running to allow the fluid to splash around in the trans and get into places it would not for a while. Some even suggest gently tapping the throttle twice to bring the cold idle up to about 2000 RPM. I usually start the engine, ldt the clutch out, strap on the seat belt, depress the clutch, shift into 1st, then drive away. That few seconds in Neutral before engaging the trans helps with shifting into 1st and also helps with the first 1 to 2 shift. Otherwise, the trans can be a bit balky when the weather is close to freezing or lower.

TBNPLR, I am having the exact same problem. I bled it and no air pockets in the lines. Reverse sucks in the morning and 1st is always hard to engage into. When shifting hard after the car is warm and running high RPMs sometimes I won't be able to shift into 2nd at all. I definitely have to make sure to push the clutch all the way to the floor in order for me to change gears. MTX75 blows.

I've found getting in to reverse difficult at times, too. It doesn't make certain tasks, like parallel parking, very easy, but try this. Before shifting in to reverse, hold the clutch in for two or three full seconds before you try to put it in to gear. Since the car is at a stand-still, you don't want the transmission moving either, and holding the clutch in longer will let all of those spinning parts slow down and engage. Remember, reverse gears aren't cut and syncro'ed the way the forward gears are, and the higher warm-up RPM's only make this problem worse.

You may have some of the other problems mentioned about the clutch, but give this method a shot. It works for me and I'm pretty sure I actually read it in some owners manual somewhere.

Chris, nice to see you on the boards. I was just reminiscing about the old days playing video games at Dave and Busters.

Anyway I have the same problem as you. It seems to get progressivly worse the colder it gets. It could be one of two things. The crappy shifter forks in the trans or the fluid. I have Redline MT90 in there now, which still does not help, but will be switching to Redline D4 ATF. Apprantely the ATF helps with the notchy shifting.

If that dosen't work I guess I'll be looking into shifter forks in the near future.