Transmission Gearbox / Gearshift sticking

[Miggins]

Has anyone noticed their gearshift sticking (2.2 2.2 i-CTDi)?

I found the shift wasn't perfect when new but after 24000 miles it definately hasn't eased off and become any easier - if anything it's worse.

I am running a stock motor and find double de-clutching helps, which leads me to think it's an issue with the clutch not disengaging properly. (Double declutching is not essential but the lever tends not to baulk when changing gears)

Honda used to build quality gearboxes - this definately is not one of them.


(24K service is due in the next couple of weeks ...... ££££ )

[Pottsy]

I find that after a few minutes, the gear change is perfect. One of the very best, with no notchiness or sticking at all. Dealer trip, maybe?

[cylon2007]

no problems with mine either and now just over 17K miles

[Charley Farley]

Hi Miggins


My 2.2 was struggling to engage Ist gear initially but as the miles has piled up its no longer an issue and the gearbox is working properly. I have to say that its quite a notchy gearbox compared to my old mercedes but at least its positive.

[TTDegs]

I've missed a gear perhaps twice in nearly 40K miles.

I'd give the box a strong 9 out of 10, very happy with it

[HappyMan]

Second gear can be a little bit of a challenge when starting cold, but after a few minutes it seems to be clear and is very good. I have about 5200km on the clock.

[TYPE_S_GT]

i too find my gear box i bit notchy, i thought honda gear boxes were smooth?? ive not done many miles so is this normal when its new? does it 'bed' in over time?

[Krysten CTR]

The Honda gearbox is like a beautiful woman. You have be gentle when she needs it but otherwise grab her by the scruff of the neck and ram her into gear.

Seriously though, if you're not happy with how the gearbox feels, get your dealer to take the Civic out for a run. The gearbox shouldn't feel notchy or difficult to engage. I've booked my CTR in next week to get the third gear sorted out. It'll be a joy after that.

[charlas]

Krysten let me know what happens with your third gear when the dealer 'solves' it, mine is V notchy at times, feeling like you have to double push it to engage 3rd every once in a while, but not always.

[Krysten CTR]

Perfectly described what issues I have with the gearbox.

Got the mechanic to drive the CTR and he agreed the gearbox was stiff when treated gently and no issue when pushed (most of the time).

Explains why Don-R had the problems when driving, and I didn't really.

[Miggins]

Has anyone had any corrective action on their gearbox or linkage and if so was it effective?

Agree with some of the comments - my box is not baulking but it is definitely not the smooth light operation I would expect. When it went in for its 12k service I was told it should ease off over time - well at 27k it certainly hasn't.


It does appear to vary which is intriguing - need to pay more attention and determine a pattern.

[iamholam]

I was wanting to look for a post like this. I do like the appeal of positive action but it definitely feels l quite "notchy" and not at all smooth. I got my Civic with 28,000 miles on the clock so I reckon a dealer trip maybe on the cards.....

[Miggins]

Following the 25K service and my report of a 'stiff' G-Box - the dealer changed the G-Box oil. Can't say its made any difference. The fact that they changed the oil is indicative of either an issue or at least a perceived issue.

I do find (even before the oil change) that if you are firm, it works fine, but get lazy/slack/or god forbid gentle with it and it baulks ever so slightly.

Going back for a few things they needed to order parts for so I will 'mention' the G-Box again. (as well as the issues they haven't resolved!!!!)

They even found a sqeaking pedal box - nothing I noticed or mentioned, good 'ole Honda, shame they charged over £300 for a svc!!!!!!!!!

[waran]

Hi guys, i have a 1.8 EX, there is an earlier thread about this. I had this problem many months back, but a more extreme case where on several occasions it refused to go in 1st or 2nd gear at all! Didn't go away with time. Finding yourself at a roundabout trying to pull away on 3rd can be interesting

My dealer fixed it by replacing the transmission cables. As i have posted before i didn't ask for a summary of what they replaced but they certainly fixed it. Months on, no complaints at all (touch wood). I occasionally find the gear a bit stiff into 1st and 2nd when the car has not been used for a while, but it always clears away almost immediately.

[iamholam]

Ok. I may take an early trip to the dealer to see if they can resolve this fault in good time (before my warranty runs out next year)

Can I just clarify the problem I am getting. I have had no problems moving into any gear but there is definitely quite a pronounced "clunk - clunk" going from one gear to the next. (particularly going into 3rd I think) It just doesn't feel easy to or smooth so that I can change gear quickly. (I haven't really tried banging them in yet )

Is this similar to what everyone else is getting? Or is this common and should I just live with it?

[Speedy471]

Yeah 2nd gear is sometimes a problem for me on a 2.2, although only happens now and again. Engaging reverse gear sometimes needs a double clutch push but i think thats normal for a lot of cars. Otherwise it seems fine, oh and my gearbox has no 'clunk clunk' - very smooth and quiet.

[cb550]

There is a possibility it could be the clutch not disengaging sufficiently.An indicator would be the point at which the clutch can be felt picking up drive i.e. if the biting point is very close from where it is fully depressed I would be looking at the clutch or release mechanism/hydraulics.

I would say the biting point on my car is approx. half way between fully depressed and released.The gear change quality seems pretty good certainly no clonks or reluctance to engage.

[Miggins]

Mine is not as bad as what some are experiencing.

But it is definately not the easiest gear to engage and is across all gears - possibly clutch or linkeage related as this is common across all gears?


I would suspect the linkeage if it was 2 or more gears and the gearbox if it was one.

[iamholam]

Hi thanks for the advice. Don't think it's the clutch as the bite point is about half way up (though I have a terrible time trying to change gears smoothly compared to my old car). I think it could be the gear linkage or the cables which someone else had mentioned. Anyway hope to book it in for some warranty work soon and will see what they say!

[panayiotis]

I have a problem when trying to get to 3rd gear from 4th...Sometimes it's impossible! My dealer says that my gearbox needs to bed in (a running in period) but I already have 10.000Km...
After searching I found that type -r owners had similar problems but I have FK2 that uses a different gearbox.
I also found a TSB by Honda USA (Honda issues TSB for third-gear issue, fix is free - Autoblog) that confirms the problem with 3rd gear but I am not sure if I have the same gearbox with american civic. Does anyone know if there is a similar bulletin for FK2 gearbox?