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"FIRST DRIVE" this afternoon! This stick shift car screeems. It's nothing like my automatic Xfires! There is something going on with the clutch though. It wants to grab all of a sudden at the top. I'm thinking air in the master/slave cylinder or the wrong relase bearing was installed. There is also a slight hesitation when first acceleration. Don't know what's up with that. Maybe a vacuum leak somewhere.
Interesting pic hen the former owners mechanic was doing the engine and tranny swap.
"FIRST DRIVE" this afternoon! This stick shift car screeems. It's nothing like my automatic Xfires! There is something going on with the clutch though. It wants to grab all of a sudden at the top. I'm thinking air in the master/slave cylinder or the wrong relase bearing was installed. There is also a slight hesitation when first acceleration. Don't know what's up with that. Maybe a vacuum leak somewhere.
Interesting pic hen the former owners mechanic was doing the engine and tranny swap.
I would try flushing the clutch fluid, just in case there is air in the slave cylinder. That's the easiest and least expensive way to start.
"Dang It!" DROVE THRU THE CAR WASH YESTERDAY AND IT KNOCKED OFF THE LETTER "F" ON THE TRUNK LID! DISCOVERED IT WHEN I CHANGED THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT FIXTURES THIS MORNING. ANYONE HAVE A LETTER "F" TO SELL TO ME??
"Dang It!" DROVE THRU THE CAR WASH YESTERDAY AND IT KNOCKED OFF THE LETTER "F" ON THE TRUNK LID! DISCOVERED IT WHEN I CHANGED THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT FIXTURES THIS MORNING. ANYONE HAVE A LETTER "F" TO SELL TO ME??
"Everything"just went south on this great deal! Took it for a second drive and found some faults with the 6-speed transmission. The shifter is "loosy goosy" and had to try several times to go into reverse. Hard to shift thru the gears and not snapping into the proper shifted gear. Not grinding just missing gear changes. I'm "guessing" worn syncro problems. Don't know all the in and outs of these trany's. After dong some research on used tranny's i my as well turn this into a parts car! I'm "stupid enough" to try a rebuild but that's looking at $1500.00 plus "if" I was able to do it myself. At the tranny's rear is a tail shaft assembly with shifting linkages. Don't know how much a worn out shifter could create. Transmissions just aren't in my simple brains knowledge base. Anyone have any suggestion for me? Thanks
PICTURE IS FROM WHEN THE FORMER OWNER'S MECHANIC SWAPPED OUT THE ENGINE.
To change out the shift assembly, does the transmission "HAVE" to be removed? With my limited knowledge of these transmissions, I'm thinking the tranny is good and the shifter assembly is worn out!
JUST ORDERED A SHIFTER ASSEMBLY OFF 2006 MODEL. HAVE 30 DAYS TO FIGURE IT OUT TO ENABLE ME TO RETURN IT FOR A REFUND.
Last edited by Romad; Aug 27, 2025 at 09:09 PM.
Reason: Added information.
To change out the shift assembly, does the transmission "HAVE" to be removed? With my limited knowledge of these transmissions, I'm thinking the tranny is good and the shifter assembly is worn out!
JUST ORDERED A SHIFTER ASSEMBLY OFF 2006 MODEL. HAVE 30 DAYS TO FIGURE IT OUT TO ENABLE ME TO RETURN IT FOR A REFUND.
I'm not sure. Maybe @nemiro or @James1549 will know or maybe they will know someone who does.
Also, I found this thread and the guy mentioned that you didn't have to remove the transmission, but you should read it yourself to make sure. LINK - Shift linkage thread
How can I difference between bad tranny synchros vs shifter adjustment? After driving around this morning, it wouldn't go into reverse. I also did a lot of stop and go testing and if not real careful going from 1st to 2nd it wants to go to 4th. Sloppy gear selection on most gears. Wondering if there is adjustments on the shifter assembly or bad syncros. If rebuilding tranny is required this car might be up for parting it out. It's "crazy" what a used tranny cost!
1. Installed new seat relay. Right seat ok but driver side won't go forwad or backward.
2. Replaced license plate light fixtures with led fixture.
3. Replaced both air filters.
4. Straightened front grill of bends.
5. Aligned hood latch.
6. Serviced fluid levels and aired up all four tires.
Things still need resolving:
1. Install another used air pump in the trunk. Don't really mind just using the key.
2. Discover which is bad in tranny, syncros or shifter adjustment.
3. Brakes good but should be checked. Had break job about a uyear ago.
4. Find out why moisture is in the drivers side head light. (ventilation??)
5. Check under side for rattling exhaust and squeaky left rear suspension.
6. Replace drivers side wiper arm where i broke it off when closing ho0d.
7. Paint all four rims and centers. Someone had painted them grey over the years.
8. Replace fob key case.
9. Bleed the clutch fluid. Grabs all of a sudden.
what else could possibly go wrong with a 22 yer old car! That being said this car really runs well!
i just checked ebad again and found lots of them that i did see yesterday on my search. Things are looking better, kinda. SHIPPING COST AS MUCH AS WHAT THE TRANNY COST THOUGH!
today's work:
removed security system module under the cowling that was causing a battery drainage. Don't think cowling had "ever" been removed to clean leaves and unblock water the drainage holes. Can't belive i closed the hood with the wiper arm sticking up! You guessed it, i snapped the arm off and will be a $40 mistake. Foiund soo nany leaves in the cabin squirrel cage circulation fan. Next i drilled a vent hole in the back of the driver's head light to let moisture evaporate. Seems to work fine removing moisture now. I'LL CHANGE THE CABIn FILTER TOMORROW. ( That will make an interesting pic! }
My replacement $420 shift linkage assembly arrived today. Have to make a judgement call wheather it's the tranny shifter problem or is it bad syncronizers! Guess i have 30 days to figure it out to be able to return it or not! Probably have to seek out a "real" mechanic to troubleshoot the problem. I do know the reverse lockout is out of adjustment.
From what I can ascertain from the Service Manual, there are no adjustments to the shifter assembly except for the Reverse Lockout. Probably going to mean the tranny syncros are worn as the car has 170K miles on her. When cold it shifts sorta ok but once warmed up it's difficult to go from 1st to 2nd as it wants to go 1st to 4th gear. Don't think I like fishing around for gears. Buying another tranny is not totally out of the question as I bought the car at almost scap yard price. It would really be a lot of hard work for me to pull the tranny in my driveway laying on my old 78 year old back.
My new vacuum pump arrived today so I guess I'll work on that tomorrow and try getting the locks working.
My replacement $420 shift linkage assembly arrived today. Have to make a judgement call wheather it's the tranny shifter problem or is it bad syncronizers! Guess i have 30 days to figure it out to be able to return it or not! Probably have to seek out a "real" mechanic to troubleshoot the problem. I do know the reverse lockout is out of adjustment.
From what I can ascertain from the Service Manual, there are no adjustments to the shifter assembly except for the Reverse Lockout. Probably going to mean the tranny syncros are worn as the car has 170K miles on her. When cold it shifts sorta ok but once warmed up it's difficult to go from 1st to 2nd as it wants to go 1st to 4th gear. Don't think I like fishing around for gears. Buying another tranny is not totally out of the question as I bought the car at almost scap yard price. It would really be a lot of hard work for me to pull the tranny in my driveway laying on my old 78 year old back.
My new vacuum pump arrived today so I guess I'll work on that tomorrow and try getting the locks working.
Isn't there a Florida group on the forum? I thought I saw someone mention it. Maybe there is someone near you that can help.
Isn't there a Florida group on the forum? I thought I saw someone mention it. Maybe there is someone near you that can help.
There is in Sarasota, which is couple hours away. None tn Tampa that are active as far as I know. I need to start looking around for a tranny that' might have 75k or less on it. According to my research, when in 1st and going to 2nd is problematic is a classic sign of synchronizer failure. I could rent a tranny jack and do it myself but "I DON'T WANT TO!"
NOW A NEW HORRIFIC NEW PROBLEM! I replaced the door lock pump and now the door locks work fine! The big issue is the floor pan is rusted thru big time. When I get a chance I'll fiberglass in a new floor so the pump doesn't fall out on the street. I put a baking pan in there for now.
This drivers headlight is still giving me a PAIN! This morning there is more condensation inside even after drilling out the ventilation hole. Has not rained and car parked indoors. I think in the bottom of the light assembly there must be a small puddle that has not dissipated away yet. I removed the two rubber covers on the back to improve dissipation. When I removed them they both had condensation on them.
I WONDER HOW MANY UNDISCOVERED PROBLEMS WILL BE FOUND IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS! TO QUOTE, " LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF RUSTED BOLTS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT STRIPED NUT YOU'LL GET NEXT!" LOL
I'm almost afraid to put her up on ramps and look under there!
Re: 2004 Crossfire just bought for cheap.
