So I bought an '04 with the 1st gear popping out issue. No worries, I swapped in a tranny from an '05. Everything was going well, I drove it for work one day (60 miles, or so). It went through the gears just fine, no grinding, no popping out. Life was good.

Then, when I was about 5 miles from my house, the car won't go into first gear. Where first gear should be, it goes into third gear. Now when I go to put it into reverse, it puts the car into what I can only assume is fourth gear. I just want my transmission to work.

Does anyone know what would cause the car to do this? Has anyone else run into the problem?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is my daily driver, and I could really use those gears. haha. Thanks.

 

Only thing I can suggest is the linkage is either miss-adjusted or loosened up and is out of adjustment.

 

my sons o4 coupe kept popping out of 1st gear..we changed the trans fliud{60k} and dealer adjusted the linkidge.that was a month ago,has not done it since..good luck

 

That would make sense, and hopefully be a relatively easy fix. Only thing is, I'm not sure how to adjust the linage. I didn't see a write up or anything in the manual for it. Any advice and/or tutelage regarding it for me? Thanks.

 

Adjustment is described, I copied this from the manual.

This type of shift mechanism has the following advantages:
² Precise and easy to operate shift.
² No transmission of component movements to the shift lever and tunnel. The swivel lever (3) and rubber
mounts allow the engine/transmission joint to move in all directions.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - SHIFT LEVER ADJUSTMENT
1. Move the shift lever (1) to the right position and pull up on
the shift lever.
2. Insert the Special Tool 9120 (2) into the shifter alignment
slot with the recess of the tool facing upwards.
3. Slide the adjustment tool (2) forward until it contacts the
plastic ring (1) at the front of the shifter.
4. Ensure the adjustment tool (2) is properly placed at the
front and the rear of the shifter housing (3).
5. Move the shift lever the the left position.
Note: Hold the shift lever in place until adjustment procedure
is complete.