Just wanted to confirm with you guys. So on the way to work, go for 3rd gear and the shifter goes 'limp' and the tranny is stuck in 2nd gear. No noise, no drama. The shifter goes back and fourth but will not go side to side or in neutral. Again feels limp. Clutch pedal still offers resistance and feels like it's still working. Fortunately I wasn't too far from home so I just drove it back in 2nd gear. I'm guessing it's the shift linkage? Anything else maybe?

 

Do you have an aftermarket clutch? Sorry to say, but it sounds like the wave clip popped off the throw out bearing.

 

Doesn't sound like the wave clip or retaining lock popper off. Especially if he has pedal pressure.

 

Remove the battery and take a look at the paddles that the shifter connects to, there is a pin that holds these paddles to the transmission and it can become dislodged. If this has happened use a socket and an extension to pry the pin back in. I have had it happen 2 times ever, once I had to get towed 45 miles home, the other time I was able to get back home with being extremely cautious trying to stay in 2nd gear like you stated.

There was a TSB for it on the 2003 JDM 6 speed Evos, I'm fairly surprised it doesn't happen more often considering my luck with it.

 

Turns out one of the shift linkage cable broke or snapped. $150 part and some work to do.

 

Interesting... Easy fix tho!

 

Does the shift linkage just screw on or thread on to the rest of the linkage?