1st gear a bit stiff?

[circleace]

Hi all!
I sometimes have a problem engaging first gear. It feels really stiff to put in even when car is warm, anyone else have this problem?

 

[circleace]

Thanks for reply. Clutch replaced a few weeks ago so thats out of the question..

 

[okellyt]

Stupid question - when you say warm, is this when the oil is fully up to temperature as opposed to the water. In colder weather the gears can be stiff until the engine oil, and gear box oil are fully warm, which is some time after the water is up to temp.

The other stupid question - the gearbox also baulks when the revs are high for the gear, even if it would leave it below the red line, eg so a high rev change from 3rd to 1st if 1st was over 4k revs it would require determined effort to get it into gear.

Failing that it could be the clutch cable going - there are two cables 1 for forward and back, one for left to right - if either or both are nearing the end of their life it can result in difficulty getting into gear, in particular 1st. The cables are a carry over from the 996 and the same design is used in the Boxster. its not uncommon for failures early in the life for all three models.

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: okellyt

Failing that it could be the clutch cable going - there are two cables 1 for forward and back, one for left to right - i

Presumably you mean gear box linkage cables, Tom? Clutch is hydraulic, non? As the clutch has just been changed are you also sure you are getting full depression when trying to engage 1st?

 

[circleace]

Getting it checked out at OPC just in case..

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

ORIGINAL: okellyt

Failing that it could be the clutch cable going - there are two cables 1 for forward and back, one for left to right - i

Presumably you mean gear box linkage cables, Tom?  Clutch is hydraulic, non?  As the clutch has just been changed are you also sure you are getting full depression when trying to engage 1st?

TS - Yes, loose terminology on my part. Gearbox Linkage Cables is the one.

Circleace - best plan to get it checked out, if nothing else to put your mind at ease.

 

[circleace]

Car went in today and got a call saying nothing wrong. They have decided to leave it overnight and try again in the morning. Apparently, my car has a Sports Shifter which can be the issue?? Makes sense to anyone???

 

[juliany27]

A short shift gear is frequently rather notchy until the oil heat up, so I am reliably informed.

 

[circleace]

Thanks but you being an Arsenal man, can I trust you???? Chelsea man myself!! Going next week to the game??
Going bck to the car, I will let you know what happens tomorrow...

 

[okellyt]

I have a short shift and it can be a bit sticky going to 1`st or 2nd gear until the gearbox oil warms up. Normally worse in colder weather and fine in summer.

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: circleace
Chelsea man myself!!

Is that the flower show or the pensioners?[]

 

[juliany27]

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

ORIGINAL: circleace
Chelsea man myself!!

Is that the flower show or the pensioners?[]

Thanks Alan for your support - the Chelsea team will need and wear it all the rest of the season.

 

[garyw]

Mines never been the smoothest of gear selections in 1st.... hot or cold and certainly more so with the sports shift/short shift

Maybe you should of got BMW for that [&:] []

garyw

 

[circleace]

BMW?? Never had one, don't want one and never will want one!! I still say it is not right the way it is sometimes. My previous 997 was not like this neither was my 996 so I know when it doesn't feel right. It could be the Sport shifter to be honest as never had that before so it you guys say it could be that and Porsche say it could be that, then thats good enough for me!
As for Chelsea.....well for all you football guys on here....WHOS TOP RIGHT NOW???

 

[tscaptain]

It's who's top at the end of the season that matters..................[]

 

[Wills]

ORIGINAL: garyw

Mines never been the smoothest of gear selections in 1st.... hot or cold and certainly more so with the sports shift/short shift

Maybe you should of got BMW for that [&:] []

garyw

They have awful gear changes Gary believe me! I too have the short shift and sometimes it refuses to go into first so I have to select second and then reselect first from that position other wise she just won't engage.

 

[circleace]

Is that what you do!! Collecting car later on and will try that!!

 

[Alex L]

I've had short shift on both my old 997.1 Carrera and my current 997.1 Turbo. Never had any issues engaging 1st (other than if the car is already moving of course!). Yes it can be a little stiff especially in colder weather but nothing major.

...and I also support Chelsea []

 

[Wills]

ORIGINAL: circleace

Is that what you do!! Collecting car later on and will try that!!

It occurs mostly when coming to a rolling stop, say at the traffic lights when I try and engage 1st sometimes it just doesn't want to know I've found that selecting 2nd then pushing into 1st works. But I have a bad habit of putting the car in neutral and coasting the last few metres so that might be the problem rather than the gearbox's as it happened in my m3 as well.

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: Wills

ORIGINAL: circleace

Is that what you do!! Collecting car later on and will try that!!

It occurs mostly when coming to a rolling stop, say at the traffic lights when I try and engage 1st sometimes it just doesn't want to know I've found that selecting 2nd then pushing into 1st works. But I have a bad habit of putting the car in neutral and coasting the last few metres so that might be the problem rather than the gearbox's as it happened in my m3 as well.

Most manual cars I have driven 1st is almost impossible to engage until you are at a complete stop. I can sometimes get 1st in gear when coming to a stop at about 2-5mph but you have to keep pushing the gear lever forward until you slow enough for it to go in.