Discuss 2012 Mustang Shifter Not Fully Engaging Gear on AllFordMustangs.com, the place for Mustang enthusiasts.
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Is this your first stick shift car? All manual transmissions can/will do this from a stop from time to time. I wrote a reply on how/why it happens, but don't feel like retyping the essay. If you search for my posts you can find it. It's normal, and it happens. You may need to let the car roll and inch or two before it'll drop fully into the gate from a stop to allow the gears to all line up.
"Guys, this can happen on any manual transmission, regardless of it being in good condition or not.
When you shift into 1st when stopped, there is no real synchronizing action that can occur. Why?
Well, in order for a synchro to work it has to change speeds of one of the speed gears and a blocking ring so that the synchro hub can slide over both of them and lock it to the shaft it is pressed onto. The blocking rings are nothing more than clutches. When you are completely stopped, the shafts are not moving, so the blocking rings can't do a whole lot. Kinda hard to slow down or speed up a component when both are not moving....
However, it is usually possible to still get it into gear by moving the shifter as normal, it will just "nudge" the speed gear and blocking ring into place. This can make an audible clunk or click. Reverse often does this too. Every manual car I have had has done this on occasion.
This is also related to the condition that some may have experienced when you cannot get it into first at a stop and must allow the car to roll a bit or release the clutch temporarily to get the input shaft to move. If the teeth are too far off, they may not align with the initial push of the shifter.
This is also normal provided it is not happening all of the time (which would indicate a clutch release concern) and can happen on any manual transmission. It has happened at least once on every car I have personally had too.
Understanding how a synchromesh trans works is key in realizing how and why this happens, and why it is not abnormal. A shifter or linkage issue is a possibility, but should have not only be an issue when stopped."
That's it, it explains why it happens at a stop occasionally. If it happens once in awhile when moving, make sure you are fully depressing the clutch. If the pedal isn't against the firewall, it probably is not being fully released, and it will cause the shifter to not fully engage a gear. These clutches grab very low, so it is critical to push it all the way down.
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GT, 6MT, Brembo package, Shaker 1000, Security Package, 401A, charcoal and GB stitched interior, Appearance Package 6, drop top, Grabber Blue. Front end clear bra, GT500 axlebacks, JLT catch can, misc. interior items, 6000K HID's in the heads and fogs; Raamat insulation.
That's it, it explains why it happens at a stop occasionally. If it happens once in awhile when moving, make sure you are fully depressing the clutch. If the pedal isn't against the firewall, it probably is not being fully released, and it will cause the shifter to not fully engage a gear. These clutches grab very low, so it is critical to push it all the way down.
Thank you for the tip...
Have you ever grinded your gears? Due to what I have described or in general?
This is something that can happen with all synchronized and non synchronized manual transmissions. You have to make sure that you shift properly. If you are noticing a partially engaged gear then you probably have done this a little bit without noticing and the gears are actually wearing together in the partially engaged position. You should take note and always confirm that you shift all the way in for that gear from now on! The good news is that if you have worn gears in a non fully engaged position just proper shifting will fix the problem over time (10,000km or so).
Getting locked out is totally different. As this is your first manual shift slower and with less effort. after 15,000 to 30,000k your car will shift very smooth and you will most likely not be making any more mistakes.
This is something that can happen with all synchronized and non synchronized manual transmissions. You have to make sure that you shift properly. If you are noticing a partially engaged gear then you probably have done this a little bit without noticing and the gears are actually wearing together in the partially engaged position. You should take note and always confirm that you shift all the way in for that gear from now on! The good news is that if you have worn gears in a non fully engaged position just proper shifting will fix the problem over time (10,000km or so).
Getting locked out is totally different. As this is your first manual shift slower and with less effort. after 15,000 to 30,000k your car will shift very smooth and you will most likely not be making any more mistakes.
Thank you for the advice. I shall keep that in mind.
I was wondering if any of you have experienced the following phenomenon: You shift into a gear, lets say 1st or 2nd or 3rd and the shifter "feels" to be in gear... when in reality it is like 3/4 of the way in. It got past the "first" click, but stopped right before the "second" click. It feels as if IT IS in gear, when in reality it is not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by igorwell
You are not alone . I have the same issue ....
Hi guys,
I recommend both of you bring your vehicles in to your Ford dealer and have them take a look. This way you can make sure there’s nothing else going on.
NightFire, if you need further assistance, please contact Ford Canada at 1-800-567-3673.
igorwell, PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number in case I have to escalate this for you.
That's it, it explains why it happens at a stop occasionally. If it happens once in awhile when moving, make sure you are fully depressing the clutch. If the pedal isn't against the firewall, it probably is not being fully released, and it will cause the shifter to not fully engage a gear. These clutches grab very low, so it is critical to push it all the way down.
^^This! You may be letting up just enough on the clutch before you're fully into gear. Be very deliberate with your clutching and shifting until you get the feel of the car. The characteristics of the clutch and the shifting will change a bit during temperature changes; meaning when you first start driving until it gets fully warmed up.
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13 Ford Mustang GT Track Pack 6MT (my DD) 06 BMW Z4M Roadster (weekends) 97 BMW M3 (Race Car) 99 BMW Z3M Coupe (back-up race car) 85 BMW M635CSI (Show) 10 Subaru Outback 3.6 (wifeys DD) 08 Chevy Duramax 4WD (tow)
I recommend both of you bring your vehicles in to your Ford dealer and have them take a look. This way you can make sure there’s nothing else going on.
NightFire, if you need further assistance, please contact Ford Canada at 1-800-567-3673.
igorwell, PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number in case I have to escalate this for you.
Deysha
Thank you!
If something happens... I know where to go!
^^This! You may be letting up just enough on the clutch before you're fully into gear. Be very deliberate with your clutching and shifting until you get the feel of the car. The characteristics of the clutch and the shifting will change a bit during temperature changes; meaning when you first start driving until it gets fully warmed up.
How much is "just enough" don't clutches have "Free Play"?
P.S. I always have it to the floor. I am just paranoid that I will lift my foot too early and it will grind, hence my "Free Play" question.
Thank you for the tip...
Have you ever grinded your gears? Due to what I have described or in general?
Sure. And so has everyone else once or twice. It's not going to harm a thing as long as you aren't doing it all the time, and not ever forcing the shifter. That is when things break or wear out. If it doesn't go in all the way, don't ever force it.
__________________
GT, 6MT, Brembo package, Shaker 1000, Security Package, 401A, charcoal and GB stitched interior, Appearance Package 6, drop top, Grabber Blue. Front end clear bra, GT500 axlebacks, JLT catch can, misc. interior items, 6000K HID's in the heads and fogs; Raamat insulation.
Sure. And so has everyone else once or twice. It's not going to harm a thing as long as you aren't doing it all the time, and not ever forcing the shifter. That is when things break or wear out. If it doesn't go in all the way, don't ever force it.
I will keep that in mind... thank you for your input!
I have never had the <acronym title="transmission">tranny</acronym> give me the finger... not yet!
I don't power shift. This is just when the car is warming up. I go through the gears for muscle memory. I am concerned, that one day I am going to slow down from 5th or 4th, need to go into 2nd and "GRIND". Not because I didn't shift, but because the gears did not "fully engage"...and I thought they "did" ... ugh ...
It is such a slight difference...which really sucks... I rather get fully locked out... than experience the gear "not fully engaging" ... at least that way I know to double clutch and go through neutral... though with gears "not fully engaging"... I risk grinding gears...
How many times have you Grinded your gears thus far?
Do you notice a difference in terms of engagement now?
If I had to guess I've grinded maybe 10-15 times in almost 2 years of ownership.
Honestly, the grind will happen, the car won't explode after X amount of grinds. My RX-7 is on original trans with 130k km on it and it was ground almost on a daily basis judging by how my dad (PO) used to drive it when I was young. It still goes into gear and still drives.
Grain of salt.
__________________
-2012 Grabber Blue GT 6M Premium w/ Brembo's, Glass Roof, HID security pkg, Rear Camera, 401a, FRPP GT500 Axle-backs, Front Pioneer TS-D6802R speakers
-1986 Mazda RX-7 GX - Fast Mirage 16" Wheels, Sumo Firenza 205/60R Tires, slotted brakes + performance pads. Otherwise factory stock.
-2008 Mazda Mazda3 GX Sport - A/C, Auto.
-2011 Lexus IS350 - Fully loaded
-2004 Volvo XC90 T5 - Comfort pkg, safety pkg.
-1995 Infiniti G20 - Sold, Pioneer head unit, lighting mods, miss it dearly.
If I had to guess I've grinded maybe 10-15 times in almost 2 years of ownership.
Honestly, the grind will happen, the car won't explode after X amount of grinds. My RX-7 is on original trans with 130k km on it and it was ground almost on a daily basis judging by how my dad (PO) used to drive it when I was young. It still goes into gear and still drives.
Grain of salt.
I appreciate the reassurance. Thank you.
I guess I will just keep shifting smoothly and slowly and cross my fingers I don't get locked out or worse... grind!
I appreciate the reassurance. Thank you.
I guess I will just keep shifting smoothly and slowly and cross my fingers I don't get locked out or worse... grind!
That's my philosophy now, especially when DDing. Slow and sure shifts. I have still grinded occasionally doing that though.
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-2012 Grabber Blue GT 6M Premium w/ Brembo's, Glass Roof, HID security pkg, Rear Camera, 401a, FRPP GT500 Axle-backs, Front Pioneer TS-D6802R speakers
-1986 Mazda RX-7 GX - Fast Mirage 16" Wheels, Sumo Firenza 205/60R Tires, slotted brakes + performance pads. Otherwise factory stock.
-2008 Mazda Mazda3 GX Sport - A/C, Auto.
-2011 Lexus IS350 - Fully loaded
-2004 Volvo XC90 T5 - Comfort pkg, safety pkg.
-1995 Infiniti G20 - Sold, Pioneer head unit, lighting mods, miss it dearly.
thank you for your input!
