This happens more or less in the cold, but now it has been getting worse. It is hard to describe what is happening, but I will do my best.

The car is a '03 EVO 8 with 119,xxx miles. When you let go of a shifter the spring returns the shifter in nuetrual which you can then go into 3rd or 4th. Well When I go from 1st to 2nd it stays locked in the position I had to bring it down to 2nd in. If I try going to 5th or reverse it is so hard to bring over there. I feel like something is binding?

I am going to take off the center console soon, and look at everything, but all the bushings on the shifter and transmission, are kartboy bushings, so I feel they're not worn. My Shifter is a B&M. I never use to have this issue, and then when it is warm it is perfect?

Very strange situation I have here, any in sight would be great.

 

I had some shifter location issues and some slight 4th gear lockout. Turned out a bolt on the bracket holding the cables to the tranny was sheared off. Repaired and fixed.

 

if there is no spring action left in your shifter you seem to have one of two issues...
A either your cables are binding and not allowing proper travel.

B you linkage return spring is worn out.

both are easy enough to diagnose. disconnect the cables from the trans and try to move the shifter. slowly. pay particular attention to binding.

if that is fine then go to the trans linkage. the linkage that moves in and out on the trans push it in and out and feel for binding. this will be ten times more noticeable then the stick itself since you don't have leverage over it.

if you find binding in the cables best of luck. its very involved to swap them. if it happens to be in your trans then you are in luck. its about the easiest thing in the world to replace transmission wise. PM me for specifics.

 

It is now light out, I am going to take a look at it. Would it make any sense though why it only happens sometimes?


Ill check today and let everyone know.

 

The cables to the transmission look good.

1.) would low trans fluid be doing this? Iv never had a car will low fluid before I keep up on that, but I am going to take apart my center console and look in there.

 

I would start by checking the shifter bushings also, maybe even look at your shifter assembly and make sure nothing is wrong there.

 

I had similar problem with my dsm. There were a couple issues that I had to fix.
The cables were seperating at the linkage on the tranny. So I got new set of cables. Also I had to replace some of the bolts and washers under the center console on the shifter base. After thise were do its nice and smooth.
I also have the B&M shifter. Along with skatboard bearing mods and symbroski shifter kit. Idk if those are availablefor th evo or not though.

 

Try some lube on the shifter bushings on the tranny. Specified gear and linkage lube that will not degrade the rubber.

it sounds more serious though, but that should help.

 

Ia m currently up at school, and spring break is in a few days. Friday I will be diagnosing what it is, but I seem to have a bigger issue now.

New Thread:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...l#post10695249

 

The bushings on the transmission were rusted (stuck) as soon as we lubed them up with DW40 was used the shifter was back to normal. I noticed in he driver side wheel well, the plastic side wheel well cover is not there, so I think salt, snow, get up on the transmission.

 

will this problem be fixed with a new short shifter with new bushings?

 

I was gomna say it's related your cable for sure. I've been through exactly same situation with my old civic before..lol I'm glad you solved the problem.

 

Good stuff! A lot of people change the bushings when a little lube is all that's needed I think.

 

I guess proper diagnosis I all that is needed! I couldn't disconnect one of the cables from the transmission though, which I was not happy about, it is rust, not bad just won't lift off, when summer comes I will work on it!