Symptom Chart

SYMPTOM CHART - TRANSAXLE

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Noisy in forward gears - noise described as rattle or a knock	Lubricant level low/incorrect type	ADD or REFILL with the specified lubricant. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS in this article.
	Components grounding out on transmission	CHECK for screws, bolts, etc., of chassis components grounding out. CORRECT as necessary.
	Bolts retaining transmission to engine loose	VERIFY that the bolts are tightened to specification. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
	Bearings/gears worn/damaged	INSPECT the bearings, the gears, and the gear teeth for wear and damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Gears clash when shifting from one forward gear to another	Transmission input shaft pilot bearing worn/damaged	INSPECT the transmission input shaft pilot bearing for wear and damage. REPAIR as necessary. Refer to CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER CHECK .
Gears clash when shifting from one forward gear to another	Gear teeth/synchronizer damaged	INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Transmission jumps out of gear	Bolts retaining transmission to engine loose	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
	Preload incorrect Internal components damaged	CHECK preload. INSPECT the synchronizer for free movement on their hubs. INSPECT the synchronizer blocking rings for widened index slots, rounded clutch teeth and smooth internal surface. CHECK the countershaft cluster gear for excessive end play. INSPECT the shift forks for wear. CHECK for loose shift forks on the shift rails. INSPECT the synchronizer sliding sleeve and the gear clutch teeth for wear and damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
	Gear teeth worn/damaged	INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Noise in NEUTRAL occurs after hot soak or under load	Neutral rollover noise	A slight rollover gear noise is an acceptable condition. INSTALL a new clutch disc.
Noise in NEUTRAL occurs after hot soak or under load	Transmission	INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Transmission will not shift into one gear - all others OK	Internal components	For the gear in question, INSPECT the shift rail and fork, the synchronizer and the gear clutch teeth for restricted travel. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Transmission will not shift or is difficult to shift into 5th gear	Gearshift cable adjustment	CHECK the gearshift cable adjustment. REFER to GEARSHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT . TEST system for normal operation.
	Internal roll pin shifting out of position inside the gear shift mechanism	INSTALL a new gear shift mechanism. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Transmission is locked in one gear and will not shift out of that gear	Internal components	INSPECT the gears, the shift rails, the forks and the synchronizer for wear and damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Fluid leaks	Engine, power steering, transmission, clutch	REMOVE all traces of lubricant on the exposed transmission surfaces. VERIFY that the transmission vent is clear of foreign material. OPERATE the transmission. INSPECT for new leakage. REFER to POWER STEERING , ENGINE - 2.0L AND 2.3L , CLUTCH CONTROLS or MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
	Halfshaft seals	INSPECT and INSTALL new seals as necessary.
	Input shaft seal	INSPECT and REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
	Fill and drain plugs	INSPECT the plug, the O-ring and the threads in the case. REPAIR as necessary. TIGHTEN the plug to specification. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE-TRANSMISSION .
Significant effort required when downshifting	Gear synchronization is inadequate. Gear teeth/synchronizer damaged	INSPECT the transmission. INSTALL a synchronizer assembly with synchronizer rings. INSTALL 2 new gears belonging to the synchronizer assembly.
Slight buzzing, rattling or metallic scraping noise from the transaxle at 2,500 to 3,500 rev/min when coasting or driving without load (particularly in 2nd and 3rd gear)	Rotational vibration from the engine not sufficiently damped by the clutch	These noises do not affect the operation and durability of the transaxle.
Brief scratching noise during gear shifting	Inadequate gear synchronization	INSPECT the transaxle for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. INSTALL a complete synchronizer assembly with synchronizer rings. INSTALL 2 new gears belonging to the synchronizer assembly.
Gear growl - to occur, lug the engine in 1st or 2nd gears, depress the throttle to floor and the noise will be heard	Reduced preload on the input shaft	Acceptable noise under these conditions.
Gear whistle - occurs in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear by depressing the throttle to the floor and letting the vehicle accelerate, hard acceleration to WOT, a very light whistle noise can be heard	Driven gears on the output shaft	Acceptable noise under these conditions.
Clicking noises in reverse gear	Reverse gear	INSPECT the gears for wear or damage. INSTALL new gears as necessary.
Stiff gearshift	Transaxle fluid Damaged synchronizer rings or inner selector mechanism	CHECK that the transaxle is filled with the specified transaxle fluid and, if necessary, fill up with transaxle fluid of the type listed under Specifications. CHECK the internal components for wear or damage, REPAIR as necessary.
One of the gears cannot be selected	Fault between the gearshift lever and gearshift lever housing	ADJUST the gearshift mechanism.
Reverse gear cannot be selected	Other gearshift mechanism Internal components	CHECK the outer gearshift mechanism for damage. As necessary, remove it to see whether reverse gear can then be selected. CHECK the reverse idler gear and the appropriate selector fork, shift rail and synchronizer unit. REPAIR as necessary.
Grinding or clashing noises when shifting into 3rd gear	Deflected lubrication condition causing early 3rd gear wear	INSTALL a new 3rd speed gear, 3rd/4th gear shift fork, outer synchronizer ring, inner synchronizer ring, 3rd speed synchronizer cone, 3rd/4th synchronizer assembly.