Slips out of gear sometimes--help

[tucsonsean]

Okay--the clutch is working fine now, but a new and disturbing trend has appeared. It goes into all five forward gears and reverse, but will unpredictably slip out of second gear. Not all the time, but without warning. It's an L4 with an Isuzu 5-speed. The shifting into all gears is 'stiff,' but I was led to believe this is typical of Fieros. Please tell me you've encountered this before and how you dealt with it. Thanks, gang.

 

[SGPHIREWIRE]

When I got mine the linkage wasn't right, I couldn't even get in reverse. We fixed it and can dry shift fine but when its running and using clutch its a little rough. I don't know if its normal or we both have issues.

 

[Oreif]

The shifter should feel notchy not stiff. Check the shifter bushings and the shift cables. The bushings where the shifter pivots and where the shift cable attach can get gummed up if someone tried to lube them or can be worn. Usually the bushing wears and it binds causing stiff shifting and not moving the shifter cable all the way.

If all is good check the shift cables for binding or corrosion. Does it seem stiff shifting front to back or side to side? Usually it is the cable that controls the front to back that gets stiff/corroded.

 

[tucsonsean]

Side-to-side is mostly free. It's very stiff up-and-back for all gears. Second gear always engages, but it feels as if the shifter isn't moving all the way down, like it's hanging up or not going all the way into gear. If I hold the shifter in position when shifting on a straight line drive, it doesn't pop out. Only if it's in second, for instance turning a corner, and I'm using both hands to steer.

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[Oreif]

Side-to-side is mostly free. It's very stiff up-and-back for all gears. Second gear always engages, but it feels as if the shifter isn't moving all the way down, like it's hanging up or not going all the way into gear. If I hold the shifter in position when shifting on a straight line drive, it doesn't pop out. Only if it's in second, for instance turning a corner, and I'm using both hands to steer.

It is the shift cable. I would inspect it for cracks, corrosion, or sharp angles where it could be binding. Or you can buy new ones. They are not hard to change out but takes a little time since the console needs to come out.

 

[tucsonsean]

Okay. I checked the cables, and lubed them. Now, the symptoms are intermittent. Sometimes, it shifts through all the gears positively and smoothly. Other times, on the same drive, it'll fight me to go into first, won't go into second and is iffy in fourth. Then, suddenly, it'll be fine again.

I did notice that the cables aren't clamped to the firewall like they are in my buddy's '84 (mine's an '85 L4/Isuzu). His drip shield over the manifold is, in turn, bolted to this clamp. I have the shield, the clamp, and the bracket for the shield, but I can't find a place on the firewall to mount them. (see pics)

Could the fact that the cables are flopping free make a difference? BTW, in the first pic my shift cables are in the upper left corner, and in the second, the shield is upside down, the firewall bracket is below on the left, and the cable clamp is below on the right. (Guess my phone was upside down.)