Transmission/Clutch issue

R

rochnoure

New member
Joined
Nov 23, 2013
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Rochester, NY
Hello,
I have a problem with my 99 Pontiac Sunfire 2.4L Manual Trans. and I hope someone can take the time to read this and help out! I am new here by the way.
It started when the clutch pedal got to the grabbing point, a grinding noise was coming from to left front end, the car won't move an inch! I put in in 2nd gear, 3rd... it won't move and the grinding continues. I noticed when I press on the clutch all the way down the grinding noise goes away. When I let it off as if I were to move with 1st gear engaged, the grinding comes back on and, again, the car won't move. I first thought it was one of the clutch components that was shot so I decided to pull the transmission and I did not see anything wrong with the clutch assembly. I decided, however, to replace the clutch as I was not sure if the Release Bearing/Slave Cylinder assembly failed. I also put on a new flywheel. So new LuK Kit installed, bled the clutch and put everything back together, still same issue. Is it the Transmission? Well, I went to the junkYard and picked up one, they told me it's in working condition. I installed it, same problem. Is it faulty? What am I missing here? I would also like to add that you can shift to 1st gear, without pressing on the clutch, it grinds a little bit, and I just wanted to try that for further diagnosis and may be an important piece of information that you may need to know.

I look forward to any response on this issue, Thank you very much!
 
sounds like you have replaced alot of things but you mention nothing about the master being replaced and I'm unclear if you changed the slave. Did you check the condition of the shifter cables?
 
melsg5 said:
sounds like you have replaced alot of things but you mention nothing about the master being replaced and I'm unclear if you changed the slave. Did you check the condition of the shifter cables?
Click to expand...

The slave cylinder and the release bearing come as one assembly inside the transmission, which was replaced too. The shifter cables are good.
 
and the master?
______________________________
 
So you didnt have anybody actually verify that when they shift you check to see if the arm on the transmission is going through full movement as opposed to only partially engaging the gear?
 
I had someone check it out while I was moving the shifter to all gears and it was moving as it's supposed to.
 
melsg5 said:
So you didnt have anybody actually verify that when they shift you check to see if the arm on the transmission is going through full movement as opposed to only partially engaging the gear?
Click to expand...

The problem is definitely coming from that area. I took the shifter housing out and inspected it, it looks good and it moves just fine. The gears are partially grabbing and that is what causing the noise and of course the car won't move. If the shifter is good, is it the synchros? I suspect the latter because you can move the shifter freely into any gear without pressing on the clutch pedal. It's not supposed to do that right? What prevents the shifter from moving it into gears unless you disengage the clutch? Here is a video I took today so you have an idea what does it sound like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCepjMXQ5_o

Thank you for your help!
______________________________
 
This is your second transmission so how could both transmissions have an issue with synchros, pretty slim chance. I cannt image with a running engine you can really be engaging gears without the use of the clutch. You sure the cable isnt kinked somewhere and not fully engaging the synchros?
 
melsg5 said:
This is your second transmission so how could both transmissions have an issue with synchros, pretty slim chance. I cannt image with a running engine you can really be engaging gears without the use of the clutch.
Click to expand...

That's the mystery I am trying to solve. I inspected the shift cables and they are good, they are not kinked. Actually, under the hood, I was able to grab the cables with my hands and shift, and again, the synchros grind like crazy. Like you mentioned before, the gears are not engaged, partially are even in Neutral and that is what makes the grinding noise. How about if I disconnect the shift cables completely from the Trans. set it to Neutral and turn on the engine and listen for noises? Do you know if there is any away I can use the screwdriver or something to change gears with just to rule the shifter out.
 
How are you going to do that without stepping on the clutch and you must have the front wheels off the ground to prevent a nasty accident.
 
melsg5 said:
How are you going to do that without stepping on the clutch and you must have the front wheels off the ground to prevent a nasty accident.
Click to expand...

My friend is letting me use his garage, the car is on the lift. I will have someone step on the clutch while I change the gears. What do you think?
______________________________
 
sounds like a plan, good luck.
 
melsg5 said:
sounds like a plan, good luck.
Click to expand...

Back.

So I removed the shifter and I was able to "shift" with a screwdriver. I don't know if I shifted correctly or not, all I did was move what looked like part of the gear or synchro as shown on the pictures, to left and right. Same problem; grinding and the car won't budge. Here is a link of pics; when in Neutral and gears are engaged:
http://www.tinyuploads.com/share/files/eSj0lC

If I had another Cavalier or Sunfire, I would put it in gear or leave it in Neutral, turn off the car, remove the shifter housing and see what it looks like and compare it to mine. I am 99% sure the shifter works fine but I look forward to any suggestions or further diagnosis you may provide. Thank you for bearing with me!!
 
Update:

I removed the transmission, returned it and went and got another one from a junkyard which is located 2 hours away, slapped it in and the car finally moved! What are the chances of replacing the Trans. with one that has the EXACT same symptoms, almost nil, right? Not in my case!

Thank you very much for your time and help, very much appreciated.
______________________________
 
Glad you got it solved!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top