[onyxaero]

I searched the board and couldn't find an answer to this.

About 1 in 10 shifts into 1st gear from a dead stop, the gear shift lever refuses to budge—no amount of force can make it go. I have to lift up off the clutch, push it back down, and then it'll let me shift. All other gears shift just fine.

This is really annoying at stoplights, I'm sure I must be pissing off people behind me as the light goes green and I'm sitting there cursing the tranny doing the clutch pedal dance.

Is this something that'd be $$$$$$ to fix (I have no interest in doing it myself, I'd take it in) and I should just live with it, or is it relatively simple?

Thanks!

 

[daythecountrydied21]

when it happens let the car in neutral let the clutch out and then press it back in and try again. sounds like the norm. it usually only does it when everythings not warmed up though, so if it occurs a lot after driving it also i'd say there's something wrong with the tranny.

 

[qwikredline11]

agreed the f 23 are worse than the m 35 boxes for this....back to neutral and clutch out in and try again.
tip when the other lite turns yellow ,go for first, to be ready for green...

 

[onyxaero]

It didn't used to do this, this is in the last few months... the car's 5 years old now

 

[recaro86]

Just shift into 2nd or 4th quick then to 1st, your desired gear. I hit 4th a lot before it will pop into reverse when cold, this is with the clutch in of course.

 

[onyxaero]

Just out of curiosity, what's causing it?

 

[RLProfessional]

Change your trans fluid..if anything it'll help for smoother shifts but may not help this problem.

Cobalt & Ion ---> ZZ Performance

 

[daythecountrydied21]

Just out of curiosity, what's causing it?

the tranny lol. it's how they all are.

 

[RLProfessional]

Our trannys do suck but you ought to be able to put it in first from a stop without going through all that...that's just bad.

 

[RedlineNoob]

Yea mine is the worst in reverse. I just stick it in 4th then go to reverse. Usually goes right in.

 

[GMCustomerService]

I searched the board and couldn't find an answer to this.

About 1 in 10 shifts into 1st gear from a dead stop, the gear shift lever refuses to budge—no amount of force can make it go. I have to lift up off the clutch, push it back down, and then it'll let me shift. All other gears shift just fine.

This is really annoying at stoplights, I'm sure I must be pissing off people behind me as the light goes green and I'm sitting there cursing the tranny doing the clutch pedal dance.

Is this something that'd be $$$$$$ to fix (I have no interest in doing it myself, I'd take it in) and I should just live with it, or is it relatively simple?

Thanks!

I apologize for the concern you’re experiencing with your Ion. Since I’m not a technician, I would at least suggest speaking with your dealership to see what options you available. I hope they’re able to help. Would you please keep me updated on your situation?

Thanks,
Laura
GM Customer Service

 

[K-Train04RL]

mine does this, but it was alot worse when my roll pin was on its way out. then it finally broke. it seems to be the norm, but before you get stranded, take a look at the shift linkage under the fusebox under the hood. visually inspect the roll pin and make sure its not stretched.

 

[GMRedline]

Routine Maintenance.

 

[Hyperion]

I don't run into this much but I just go to the next nearest gear then back (2nd then back to 1st or 4th then back to reverse). I just figured it was the linkage binding & I was getting it lined up.

What is routine maintenance on our tranny & do you mean stuff the dealer handles when you take it in or something I should be doing/checking?

 

[RLProfessional]

Transmissionnn oiilllll

 

[Rayne]

Mine started after I changed the clutch and put mt 90 in. It's pretty annoying and it's hard to shift up at 6500 rpm.

 

[recaro86]

When going to reverse you can feel that the gears are not lined up and the teeth are just hitting the high spots and not "meshing". Hitting 4th or second will usually move the stationary gear a **** hair, just enough to get your desired gear. Anyone who has had manual trannies has experianced this going into reverse at some point.

 

[GMCustomerService]

Mine started after I changed the clutch and put mt 90 in. It's pretty annoying and it's hard to shift up at 6500 rpm.

Rayne,

Did you put the clutch in yourself or did a dealership install it?

Thanks,
Laura
GM Customer Service

 

[Rayne]

Rayne,

Did you put the clutch in yourself or did a dealership install it?

Thanks,
Laura
GM Customer Service

Put it in myself

 

[GMCustomerService]

Put it in myself

OK, have you had anyone look at it? Or did this concern appear recently?

Laura
GM Customer Service