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I have a 1990 Honda CRX manual tranny with shifting issues. It occasionally locks up when shifting through the lower gears, or is just very difficult to push into gear. Also sometimes it makes a high pitched whirring sound just as it pushes into gear after being difficult. Any suggestions on potential problems? Thanks, Jesse
Country: United StatesMake: HondaModel: CRXYear: 1990
Hello there, I am a Master Automobile Technician certified by Honda and ASE. I can help you with the problem you are having with your Honda!It sounds like you have one of two issues. Either your clutch is going out or you have internal damage to the gear synchros. Is it difficult to get into gears when the engine is off?
It didn't seem to be, but the problem is inconsistent when running aswell. I noticed that it will shift through all the gears easily, besides reverse, without the clutch in when not running. Unsure whether that's normal. At times it will be extremely difficult to shift into any gear, both while driving or from a stop, though it seems to happen more commonly at no to low speeds in the lower gears. Thanks for your time, sorry for the delayed response.
Sorry I wasn't intentionally ignoring you, I somehow missed your response. The reverse issue is normal if you're shifting through your forward gears then immediately try to grab reverse. There is a reverse lockout that will prevent this. Usually if you slap around in neutral or grab 1st(I believe) then try reverse again, it will go in with no problem. So this sounds normal to me if you can get to reverse after jostling the shifter. With that said, if I understand you correctly, it goes into all gears with no problems when the engine is off right?If so, this sounds like a simple clutch issue. The problem can definitely exhibit itself more at lower gears because the clutch assembly is under more torque force. I've seen may cars that were exhibiting the same shifting concerns. Once removing the trans we usually find a clutch failure which has prevented the clutch from fully disengaging the engine from the input shaft to the trans. Various failures will cause the clutch disc to continue to drag some when you push the clutch to release it. This keeps the input shaft spinning too fast. The input shaft needs to be fully disengaged and slow down enough that the gear synchros can engage and lock into the gears smoothly and easily. If the input shaft is spinning too fast because its still dragging and being spun by the motor, then it will clash or be difficult to get into gear.Before condemning the clutch though, I would do two things. First, make sure you have good full fluid level in the trans. There are two plugs(drain & fill) on the differential portion of the trans. Remove the top one with a 3/8" rachet and see if fluid drips out. If not, stick your finger in the hole to feel if it is full up to the level of the fill-hole.Second, if fluid is good then we can sometimes confirm evidence of a clutch failure by remove the starter to see if we see any clutch debris.Again, sorry it took so long to get back to you but I am definitely here to assist with whatever I can. Thanks!
Experience: Honda Master Technician & ASE Master Technician
Jesse, thank you for allowing me to assist with your Honda repair, it was a pleasure to work with you! Now I need your help. If you have not done so already, please take a minute to leave Positive Feedback. Your Positive Feedback is greatly appreciated and helps improve my reputation and standing as an Expert on JustAnswer. Leave Feedback Here: http://www.justanswer.com/feedback/leave-feedback.aspxIf you ever have another repair question feel free to request me personally here:http://www.justanswer.com/car/expert-auto-enlightenment/ I will always do all I can to assist you.