smook

Since getting my new C6, I've found it hard to put it in First from a standing position. I usually have to double-clutch or just start from second gear.

This was a problem in my C6 coupe as well.

I've also been lurking here and seeing others complain of this.

Is this adjustable or a design defect ? My C5-z06 doesn't have this problem.

I'm bothered by this!!

-Bill.

catpat8000

The whole C6 shifter/transmission setup is pretty
lame if you ask me. You'll hear people claiming that
because it needs to support 400 lbs/ft of torque, it's
not quite as smooth/reliable/positive as other cars well
known for their shifting.

Maybe that's true and maybe it's not. Whatever. In any
case, my C6 is the worst shifting car I've ever owned.
It's sometimes hard to get into first, it's very, very
easy to miss 3rd gear and get the whole shifter
jammed, the shifter itself feels very fragile, and the
shifting itself is ponderous, heavy, and slow.

I love the car but I wonder if any single GM engineer
actually drove the car for more than a 100 miles.
Shifting the C6 over time is really beginning to irk me.

Pat

calemasters

Neither.

I believe it has to do with the 1st and 2nd gear synchronizer hub splines not being beveled (item #23) . A work around is to shift into 1st gear before the vehicles stops. Sometimes, shifting into 2nd gear and then back into 1st will help.

jschindler

I agree - both of my C6's have this problem.

But I have to respectfully dissagree with Pat (who I generally have a lot of respect for) in that otherwise I'm very happy with the transmission and shifter in the C6. I've never missed a gear (and I can shift extremely fast) and I like the feel of the shifter.

catpat8000

I think I really need to drive another C6. I keep thinking
my shifter is slow and clunky and fragile and then I
see people snapping off high speed shifts, running
12.5s 1/4 miles, etc and I wonder if I am that big a
dufus or if my car is at the tail end of the distribution.

I've been driving manuals for the better part of 20 yrs
and I used to own a car with a manual and a high
torque engine (1968 426 roadrunner) so I thought I
had a good point of reference. Maybe it's just my car
and not all cars. Or maybe it's me, although I've not
been frustrated with my shifter on either my roadrunner
or my M3.

Too bad you don't live in CA Jim. I'd love to see what
my C6 would run in the 1/4 with you driving. Either
you'd come away shaking your head at how different
my car is from yours or I'd come away shaking my
head at how lame a driver I am and how much better
you are

Pat

jschindler

Pat, what part of California do you live in?

Jim

Barely Legal

Some limp wristed stuff here.

Kreuzen

I must have lucked out in this category...my shifts perfectly, although I do wish the gears/throw were shorter/a bit faster. Thats why I'm contemplating buying an aftermarket shifter. However, I haven't experienced any problems getting it into 1st.

catpat8000

Bay Area.

Pat

jschindler

I get out to the Bay Area pretty regularly. I work between Concord and Richmond when I"m out there, and have been staying in Pleasant Hill. You anywhere near there?

Michael A

[QUOTE=calemasters]Neither.

I believe it has to do with the 1st and 2nd gear synchronizer hub splines not being beveled (item #23) . A work around is to shift into 1st gear before the vehicles stops. /QUOTE]

Then you are going to be riding the clutch throwout bearing the entire time at the light.

Personally, I wish the Corvette team would shop around for a new transmission. That Tremac is better suited for a tractor. They should give every Corvette engineer a Porsche 911 for a week, and then put them back in the Corvette with that clunky transmission. They would get right to work on that transmission.

Michael

jschindler

[QUOTE=Michael A]Michael, you may be correct, but you should consider that the highest torque cars made in the U.S. of A. the past few years (with manual trannies) have all had Tremacs in them.

BLK-DVL

Once in while I also have trouble getting the car to go into first. I just shift the car into second, then up to first and it works fine.

It usually happens when the car has yet to reach operating tempature, or within the first 1-5 minutes of me driving the car.

drmotorhead

I regularly have trouble getting into first gear with my z51 c6. I sometimes start in second. Other times, I shift into first before coming to a complete stop. After stopping, I take it out of first. Then the teeth are lined up and it goes back in easily when I am ready to get going.
That being said, it is a pretty annoying defect, but one I am willing to live with.

CLeeVette

Once in a while, I have a hard time engaging the first gear during down shifts. I would think it's the synchro not aligning correctly. Just have to be more mindful to rev match I guess.

StanNH

Same here. It's a little stiffer to shift than some others I've driven, but my 5'2" wife has no trouble driving this car, so how bad can it be?

MitchAlsup

OK, lets check the preconditions:

a) Are you resting at a stop light/sign with the tranny in neutral and the clutch OUT or in? {hint clutch should be out--that is the drive shaft is turning}

b) When the clutch goes in, you are trying to put the car in 1st gear within 1 second of the clutch going in? {So the drive shaft and therefore the input shaft of the tranny are still rotating}

Walt White Coupe

I often find if I just pull the lever toward second gear but don't engage 2nd and then move to first, it then goes into first easily.

smook

Got this from my dealer today,

READ IT !!!!....,


Document ID# 1690618


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intermittent Block Out of First Gear from a Stop - keywords hard no shift shifter stop #PIP3513 - (Aug 5, 2005)
Intermittent Block Out of First Gear from a Stop
2005 Cadillac CTS-V

2005 Chevrolet Corvette and SSR

2005 Pontiac GTO

Equipped with Manual 6 Speed (RPO - MM6, M10, M12 or MZ6) Transmission

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Intermittent block out of first gear at a stop. Driver may have the vehicle in neutral while stopped in traffic and when depressing the clutch pedal to engage first gear, the shift is blocked.

Recommendation/Instructions:
If this condition occurs less than 5 percent of the time, it would be considered normal. This condition occurring more than 5 percent of the time should be repaired. A clutching tooth improvement has been made to the first speed gear. Replace the first speed gear in the transmission. Check the gap between the vertical faces of the blocking ring teeth and the speed gear as per Document ID # 588712.

Transmission
Application
Part Number

MM6
Corvette
12455013

MZ6, M12
Corvette
88894089

M12
CTS-V
88894089

M12
GTO
88894089

M10
SSR
89059976


Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.



GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
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-Bill.

StanNH

Well, I think that finally explains what's happening here. It doesn't seem to affect all cars...mine is not affected at all...but it's good to know that there is a fix available for those who do have the issue. GM finally seems to be getting around to taking care of all the assorted glitches that have appeared during the first year of production. There may be hope yet!

Thanks for posting this information...it represents a major addition to the knowledge base.