2nd gear issues when cold

bwrin

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2015 Si with 8k miles.

It's been getting cold here in Indiana, around 18-30 degrees in the morning, and since then, I've been having issues shifting into 2nd gear when the car is cold.
I usually let it warm up for a few minutes before taking off, but it doesn't seem to help any. I've sometimes rowed through the gears a couples times to try and get the fluid moving.

It happens within the first 10 minutes or so when leaving for work in the morning. I back out, then put it in 1st with no issue, but when I get going and shift to 2nd, there is either resistance and it won't let me in 2nd, or there's little resistance and when it goes into gear, there is a crunch/grind noise as it goes into gear. I've never accidentally grinded a gear, so I can't say for sure that it's grinding, but I feel it in the shifter and can hear it. After driving for a bit, it goes away completely and it very smooth in all gears.

Also when it is cold, it absolutely refuses to go into second when slowing down, preparing to take off without completely stopping, which again, goes away when it warms up. I end up having to go into 3rd at 10mph to keep myself from just rolling in my lane with cars behind me, or if there is no traffic, I will make a complete stop and go into first.

Is this something to be concerned about, or is it just one of those things that happens with a manual in the cold?
 

HeX

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My guess is perhaps a shift solenoid issue. I wouldve suggested possible water in the tranny fluid but that wouldnt only affect 2nd gear.
 


nd4sped

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Warming up the engine does not warm up the transmission fluid. I am going to assume it still has the factory fluid in the transmission since its a 2015. In that case its also under warranty and would take it to the dealer and let them cover changing out your fluid. You could also inquire for a lighter weight transmission fluid.
 

HeX

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I provided that guess based on him stating that it goes away after driving a bit more than the warm up comment. It must still have dealer warranty so thats definitely the first route I agree he should go.
 


dancam

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Is this an auto or manual trans? Sounds like you mean a standard from what you described. It sounds like something has come slightly loose in the shift linkage.


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Diana Nam

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Is this an auto or manual trans? Sounds like you mean a standard from what you described. It sounds like something has come slightly loose in the shift linkage.


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it its only second gear hes having a problem. shift linkage would cause problem in going into all gears
 

Diana Nam

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My guess is perhaps a shift solenoid issue. I wouldve suggested possible water in the tranny fluid but that wouldnt only affect 2nd gear.
its a SI its a manual only SI didn't get auto transmission
 

HeX

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Ah. I know little about these newer Civic, so I was just throwing out a guess to get the ball rolling. I think its bad enough theyve made SI sedans that maybe they had an auto option as well. I still cant accept an SI badge on a sedan.
 

dancam

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it its only second gear hes having a problem. shift linkage would cause problem in going into all gears
Depends on the linkage style. Im not going to go into detail here since he has to take it to the dealer/mechanic anyway but on my car a rod fell off at the trans and it affected shifting feel in all gears but second was by far the worst, almost impossible. The rest were mostly ok. and it was the same as he describes as far as trying to shift while slowing down.


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Diana Nam

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Depends on the linkage style. Im not going to go into detail here since he has to take it to the dealer/mechanic anyway but on my car a rod fell off at the trans and it affected shifting feel in all gears but second was by far the worst, almost impossible. The rest were mostly ok. and it was the same as he describes as far as trying to shift while slowing down.


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they use shift cables by the way honda stop using shifter rods after the d series and b series
 


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