MidRex

Well....I picked up an 03 WRX on Saturday. I love the power. The problem I am having is....first thing in the morning....I back out of the driveway(car goes right into reverse). Then I go into first gear fine. Now at the second stop sign...it will not go into first. Even with bliping the gas a little to try to get it to sync. This also happens at the second stop sign which is only another 50ft away. From then on about a mile down the road. Everything is fine. I would think it was maybe because it was 20deg outside, but it went right in the first time. Maybe it sync's better going directly from reverse to 1st. Any suggestions? Should I take it in to get it checked? I know if I do though they will say that it didn't do it for them. This has happened every morning since saturday.


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Cabal

I often have to double clutch it when switching between first and reverse on single-degree days. The car's fine when it's warmed up, of course. Try putting the car in neutral at the stop, lift up on the clutch all the way, press it down again, then you should be able to go into first without issue.

MidRex

I've tried the double clutch method, but it just seems like I am hitting a brick wall when i try to go into first.

Weedy

Two things here... 1- Don't force it into gear, and 2- Unless you are ascending a hill, starting in second gear at about 5MPH won't hurt anything, it has plenty of pull. And yes when it's cold out, the tranny is very stiff untill it gets warmed up. (typical of any trans) Just thought I'd share my opinions...

bp_rex

I've got this same problem. Well I would not call it a problem cause this happens on most MTs. I only have 80 Miles on mine so I have a ways to go before it is broken in.

A friend of mine asked a mechanic at his dealer about this and he told him to do the following:

1) Let the car warm up before you drive it. (this is something you should always do anyway, even on warm days)
2) When you first put in the clutch, shift though all the gears.

I'm going to try this today and see if it helps. I've only had it for 1 whole day.

twistedsymphony

but if you read this months Turbo and High Performance mag. they talk about the WRX tranny and this problem specificaly.

my problem is I can't shift into first unless I come pretty much to a complete stop.

basicaly they said that the syncros for first are weak even for stock power and can get worn out. they suggested replacing the fulid with Neo Synthetic (it's what they use in the Rally Car)

and also they explained how to double clutch for when down shifting in first if you're doing so for power at the track.

finaly they said that if you problem is so bad that that you hear a sort of grinding "KA-Chunk" sound you need new syncros.

I haven't replaced the fluid yet. I've heard a lot of people in here raving a bout red line or something, but I tend to trust whats in the rally car more. If you learn to double clutch when down shifting to first (clutch in, shift to neutral, clutch out, rev engine, clutch in, shift to 1st, clutch out and accelerate) it seems to go in just fine, no more "brick wall"