Well last night I was doing some datalogging for the e85/spirited driving, I think I messed up my second gear in the process. Everything was working fine and the car was running really well so I decide to do a 1/4mile test off the Accessport just for giggles. Launching the car with the drivetrain preloaded, I bogged slightly off the line but as I went to shift into second. It would not go... thinking it was just a usual 2gear lockout which I've experienced here and there, I shut her down.
Well afterward, driving normal I found that second gear was lockouting me even under normal conditions, this rarely happens. I drove home making an effort of getting into 2nd, I was locked out 8/10 times (so to speak). This afternoon, the problem still exist. I remain locked out of second gear except maybe once or twice and when I'm in gear, it drives completely normal. Another thing I realize is that when the car is off, it still will not go into 2nd. Nothing seems to be wrong and no weird noises, if/when I am in the gear.

So my questions is... whats the deal? Did I mess up the sychros or could it be a clutch related problem?
I can get into every other gear fine, I think the problem is that gear. Has anyone ever have this happen?

 

Hopefully you didn't kill 2nd gear. I would swap out some fresh tranny fluid see it that helps. After that I would check the shift cable bushings(Who knows maybe one of the wires is binding??)

These would be the cheapest things to check out first, if not then your looking at a getting a tranny rebuilt.

 

Try adjusting the clutch to see if it helps any maybe you just glazed the thing during the "spirited" driving.

 

Ooops I forgot about that . Most gear locks out can be related to a un adjusted clutch pedal.

+1 for patrick

 

No you're correct in checking all the visual stuff first bushings etc .......easy, simple stuff first and then begin to dig in

 

OK well, I just changed out the tranny fluid about 3 days prior to this issue so the tranny fluid is practically brand new. The clutch pedal is at the maximum adjustment and was for the last couple of months (maybe that is a sign) but engagement and clutch under power is good prior and remains good after this incident.

I'm not sure about the bushing but will look in to that.

 

looks like the bushing is fine too, they aren't broken and I was able to reach down and shift if from 1st, 3rd to 4th

 

Could be the shift fork also. They can get bent during fast/hard shifting. Part #28

I was unable to find the part on mitsubishiparts.net Only the whole tranny. It would be a pita to replace as you have to dissassemble the tranny.

 

Send me a PM with everything you need and I will get you a quote.

 

Thanks. I maybe to sending the trans out to Buschur or TRE this winter. I just wanted to narrow down all the possible causes first. I really think that its the tranny/gear/fork related. Before with a clutch issue where I was experiencing rough shifts/lock out or dragging clutch, I was always able to shift into all the gears when the car is turned off. Now I am unable to regardless (2nd gear).

I think I may call buschur or TRE and see if they can diagnose this too.