2002 Hyundai Accent Logo
Katherine Bordeau Posted on Aug 28, 2012
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Why is my gear shift so hard to move??

Sometimes trying to shift (especially into 1st gear) is really difficult. The gear shift doesn't move smoothly, in fact it takes a lot of effort. Transmission seems ok, doesn't feel like gears are slipping. (200K; manual transmission; I just bought it but the first few times I drove it there were no problems).

  • Katherine Bordeau Aug 31, 2012

    Thanks azio501... the ****** fluid was bone dry!Smooth shifting now, Thanks!!!

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1 Answer

Anonymous

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  • Expert 224 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 29, 2012
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Joined: Jul 11, 2012
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I believe your clutch is not disengaging fully. When this happens it may be hard to get into first gear but subsequet shifts are easier due to the fact the vehicle is moving. You probably have a hydraulic clutch system which is low on fluid or may have air in the system. Before shifting into first gear or reverse try pumping the clutch pedal 5 or 6 times then shifting, if it goes into gear easier after this then you probably have air in the system, it can be bled similar to bleeding brakes. If this doesnt work you might be low on fluid, or have a bad master or slave cylinder.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Nov 16, 2008

SOURCE: automatic transmission sounds like it stuck in 3rd gear

You need to check the transmission fluid level, if it is low the tranny will not shift. If, however, the fluid is to the proper level then you will need a new transmission.
Try putting new fluid in and look for a leak in the pan gasket, then all you may need is a transmission service. When the service is done the mechanic will look for pieces of metal in the old fluid, if found this is very bad and you will need a new tranny.
You might consider a new or used car, you can definately find a good deal out there!

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Denis Aube

  • 142 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 19, 2008

SOURCE: transmission/shifting 2001 Sante Fe - Hyundai

Sounds like you might have serious internal transmission problems.

As soon as you can, get someone with a code reader to plug in the vehicle and find out what the code is for the Check Engine light to come on. Might give you a better picture of what`s going on.

It could also (cross your fingers) be something more usual like a clogged transmission filter (located inside the pan), or shift solenoid.

By the way, have you checked the level, look & smell of your transmission fluid?

Level should be checked with the vehicle running, after passing it in all gear ranges on the shifter, and putting it back in park (Check it on "cold" or "hot" level depending on if it`s been driving for a while or not).

As for look and smell, it should be reddish and not smell burnt. Hard to describe the smell of burnt transmission fluid, but normal fluid does not smell too strongly, kind of sweet. Burnt oil is usually black and has a strong odor. If the oil is burnt you have internal damage to the transmission.

One piece of advice I give you is get it fixed as soon as possible because if you don`t already have serious internal transmission problems, the longer you wait, the more chances you have of getting some, to the point of the vehicle just refusing to move. And believe me, speaking from experience, the transition point from the symptoms you describe to total refusal to move and the need for a tow/transmission rebuild is not that long usually.

A

Anonymous

  • Posted on Nov 03, 2008

SOURCE: transmission on my 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS

your shifts correctly, as your driving it downshifts and stay stuck at that gear when u stop and try to take off but intell u turn off your car and restart it it shifts correctly intell a few mins later. i am thinking that is a speed sensor (out signal problem) mounted on top of your transmission next to the battery tray, you will see couple of cable linkages next to it ...

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Feb 10, 2010

SOURCE: transmission stuck in third gear when selector in

The problem is most likely an input or output sensor on the gearbox. I tried changing the transmission oil which worked for a few weeks and the problem started again. I also tried removing the sensor and wiping them which also worked for a little while. In the end I bought a second hand sensor from a wrecker for about $60 and no problems for the last 4 months. You can find them online as a set for about $150 new but I have a little bit of scottish in my blood. There are a few posts on the web about how to change the sensor. It takes about 20 mins for a handy person and it took me about a half hour.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Dec 15, 2008

SOURCE: Broken Linkage on a Manual Transmission?

what kind of vehicle is it?

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Owners of a Toyota 4Runner might panic when the gearshift begins to have problems. Knowing a couple of the things that often go wrong in a 4Runner can help a driver diagnose or even repair the gearshift himself. Following are some of the more common shifting problems with 4Runners, and a bit of information on what to do next.
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Good Luck.
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My shift knob won't move

WITH INFO YOU ARE PROVIDING CLUTCH MIGHT NOT BE COMPLETELY DISENGUAGING CAUSING A STIFF OR DIFFICULT SHIFT. CHECK BY PUTTING VEHICLE ON FLAT GROUND ENGINE OFF. GET INTO 1ST GEAR. THEN PUSH IN CLUTCH AND START CAR WITH BRAKE OFF IF CAR STARTS ROLLING THEN CLUTCVH IS STILL TRYING TO GRAB. THEN ADJUST THE CLUTCH PER VEHICLE SPECS.
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Car shifts hard (up & down), especially shifting to reverse.

that delayed reaction may be the transmission slipping. with those many miles it could be the transmission going bad
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Can't shift

You probably burnt the clutch up.
A good indicator is hard to get into 1st with out grinding as well as reverse, and over all poor ability to shift in any gear.

air in the slave cylinder is more then likely not your problem.
Its pretty hard to do.
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