I have a 2000 XLT with a 5 speed manual. On days when it's somewhat cold (below 40 deg), I have real trouble shifting into first when I'm stopped at an intersection. Most of the time, I put it in neutral when I'm waiting so I don't have to sit there with my foot on the clutch the whole time. When it's time to go, I push the clutch to the floor but the shifter doesn't want to go into first! Sometimes I can shift into 2nd then it goes into first OK, but other times it feels like I'm going to break something just trying to get it into gear. Lately, I've noticed that if I let the truck drift forward about 2 feet, it goes into gear nicely, but I'm not always in a situation where I can do this. The truck only has 6,100 miles on it & has done this since it was new. I thought things would loosen up by now.
Any suggestions?
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2000 XLT Ext Cab S.B. 4x2
4.2 L, 5 sp man, 3.55 gears
Fiberglass cap by Jeraco
I betcha it's really difficult to get the truck to do this when you want to show the dealer.
I know what you mean. I've experienced the same thing. I took off the shifter cover and I didn't find anything. It seems to be something with these transmissions. Thought the Japanese had everything done right. It's a Mazda transmission afterall. Hmmm.
I haven't seen any connection between the shifting and the temperature though.
The problem you describe is indicative of a worn first gear synchro. Probes are notorious for that, as well as 1st generation Rangers and Explorers... Changing to a higher quality synthetic manual trans fluid may help (It did in my Probe) but it's really not the cure for the problem. Unfortunately, the only real fix for it is to rebuild the trans (read: $$$). Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
Just realized I forgot to list the logic behind my thoughts... if it did it for all the gears, I would suggest it might be the clutch not disengaging. However, the fact that 2nd engages no problem indicates the problem doesn't involve all the gears, just first. Maybe getting in the habit of dropping it into second to synchronize the input shaft to the trans is the best solution for now, but try the trans fluid change... sometimes that's all it takes.
No, on second thought, forget that... I just re-read your post closer... it's still under warranty, so just take it in and let them deal with it... sounds like it's probably a bad trans, but either way, I highly doubt it's a clutch problem that they could pin on you.
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Hard shifting manual
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