Gearbox problem on our 3rd generation CRX?

[Rock]

OK, I'm a Honda newbie so bear with me please.

It started yesterday when the gearbox started to feel a little harder to shift than usual, but was still drivable. It has been quite low on fuel and I have been putting in cheap fuel from different places (Caltex, 7/11).

Then today, I couldn't put the car into reverse (or any other gears). We let the car sit for a few minutes before starting it up again and was able to make it to the petrol station to refill. We got stuck again (gearbox), repeated the same process to make it home.

From what I can see, the engine bay appeared to be hotter than normal. We barely took it out for a drive before the gearbox seized. I suspect that something was getting too hot in there. Perhaps the car was low on fuel but its full now and the oil seemed ok. Temp gauge was mid-way so it doesn't look like it was overheating.

Another problem that I've noticed, the car seems to make some grinding noise when its in first gear/reverse. The car was "raised" just recently because it was too low.

What do you guys think?

Many thanks in advance.

[michael_antoi]

you may have to top up ur tranny oil

[Rock]

Where can I find that?

Just tried shifting the gears just now, the gears won't move when the car is on, but they will move when the ignition is off.

[Weq]

soounds like ur clutch is stuffed. or maybe ur clutch cable has stretched.

[Rock]

Well the car is drivable now, just hard to shift.

Had it check and the mechanic said that the gearbox and clutch is fine, just something like the bearing may be suspected. Wanted $350 to take a look at it.

Can any one help? Mods?

[saxman]

soounds like ur clutch is stuffed. or maybe ur clutch cable has stretched.
gen3 crx=hydro tranny... no clutch cable


sounds like a clutch issue to me as well if you can't get the car to shift gears with the engine turning, but can with it off.

[ECU-MAN]

I Agree with saxman

sounds like clutch

with the engine off, could you get it into gear ???

[Twincam16]

had this problem once, like saxman said, has something to do with your crankshaft/clutch/pulleys - causing it to cease up.

Could be your timing pulley, if the car has been through a rough life, a driver can chip/wear teeth off the crankshaft (where timing pullet sits) & offset your timing. If this happens though, you usually get an early warning with things like absolutely no power and throttle works only at slight touch, stalls on half throttle, things like that, which you didnt mention, so im guessing its the clutch as well, might be offset? who knows.

[michael_antoi]

Excuse my ignorance but i didn't know timing or a damaged timing belt would affect changing gears / cause clutch issues.

[Twincam16]

Did in my old corolla... engine ceases up (not timing belt itself but the pulley on crankshaft, which turns the belt), which ceases your driveline and clutch, my clutch was held in the gearbox and wouldnt move period. When we swapped the cog, everything opened up again...

Still cant get my head around why it wouldnt let me change gears when car was on, but i think it was because the car ceased up in gear...

[Rock]

Hey thanks guys for the feedback.

I'm driving it around now as I can shift gears (where previously it was impossible until I filled the car up with Ultimate). Sometimes its smooth and effortless, but it gradually gets rough and harder to change. I'm not sure what is the problem so the car may have to get an official checkup at the mechanics.

Was hoping that it would be just the transmission oil that needs changing.


with the engine off, could you get it into gear ???

Yes I can, and it seems that I can shift the gears with the engine turning, just not as smooth as before.


Could be your timing pulley, if the car has been through a rough life, a driver can chip/wear teeth off the crankshaft (where timing pullet sits) & offset your timing. If this happens though, you usually get an early warning with things like absolutely no power and throttle works only at slight touch, stalls on half throttle, things like that, which you didnt mention, so im guessing its the clutch as well, might be offset? who knows.

This is interesting, I noticed that one of the belt does look a bit suspect. Will try and get the boys to have a look if I can.

[saxman]

I had an issue a while back where a couple of the springs in the clutch had broken off and were dancing around in the housing. Sometimes they'd get stuck between the clutch and flywheel, making it so I couldn't shift, etc with the engine going.


I still think it's related to the clutch/pressure plate/flywheel in some form or another.

How long has it been since the clutch was changed?

[spetz]

A friend had this issue in his EG civic (or similar issue)

After looking around etc it turned out that with a short shifter + bigger exhaust the bottom of the gearstick would every now and then touch the exhaust as most honda's use those rods instead of cable

[Rock]

How long has it been since the clutch was changed?

Just found out that it hasn't been changed, still the original OEM clutch.

[saxman]

how many miles on it?