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Thread: Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

  1. #1
    DX User
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    1988 Honda Accord Hatchback(5-speed) LX-i
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    Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

    Well recently my 88 accord has been having problems shifting into first gear from neutral. I mean I have to force it very hard to get it in gear. Sometimes if I'm coming to a stop it will just slip in with no problem. Also when i try to put it into reverse it grinds. IDK any ideas or solutions?



  2. #2
    LXi User 88lxi-shortram's Avatar
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    lawrenceville, GA
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    Re: Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

    Start saving
    88 lxi:
    shortram, msd blaster 2 coil, lowered 2.5" in the rear 3" in the front, stripped because race car XD

  3. #3
    3Geez Veteran MessyHonda's Avatar
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    Re: Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

    just adjust your cable and change out the trans fluid...will make a big difference

    1989 Honda Accord LX-i
    B18c1 swap since 7/2011
    175whp and 132tq
    Redzone tuned

  4. #4
    SEi User Hauntd ca3's Avatar
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    Re: Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

    sounds like clutch adjustment and wrong oil.
    clutch cable should have just a bit of slack at the gear box end and put honda mt oil in it.
    my gearbox is hard to get into 1st when cold, but i have 80w90 gear oil.
    even 75w90 oil is a whole lot lighter and would prob change the shift quality no end

  5. #5
    DX User
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    Re: Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

    Ok now the all important question i have tranny fluid now where do I put it in at??

  6. #6
    3Geez Veteran lostforawhile's Avatar
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    Re: Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

    you'll see a big nut on the side of the transmission about level with the centerline of the axle, you need a funnel with a plastic tube on it, when it starts to run out the fill hole, it's full, the drain is on the bottom, it has a square hole for a 3/8 socket wrench, hard to shift into first, and reverse is usually a misadjusted clutch cable

  7. #7
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    Re: Hard to shift into 1st gear from neutral?

    Quote Originally Posted by lostforawhile View Post
    you'll see a big nut on the side of the transmission about level with the centerline of the axle, you need a funnel with a plastic tube on it, when it starts to run out the fill hole, it's full, the drain is on the bottom, it has a square hole for a 3/8 socket wrench, hard to shift into first, and reverse is usually a misadjusted clutch cable
    Thanks for that post, I doubt the hippy boy will be able to do it himself. So I will swing by his place to help him with it.
    The cable adjustment is easy, I was just kind of baffled myself as to where his fluid went in. Now that I read that, I feel a little bit stupid. =)

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