Car will not drive in second gear

2009 BMW 118D
90,000 MILES • 2.0L • TURBO • 2WD • MANUAL
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ETHANBRUCE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the car listed above 1 series, 6 speed manual. I can shift into second gear but when I release the clutch I get lots of grinding, the gear stick vibrates and ultimately I can’t drive in the second gear. It’s only this gear I’m having issues with. any ideas?
May 7, 2019 at 9:54 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi Ethan,

This is an issue inside the transmission with what is called the synchronizer. This is responsible for messing the gears together to engage the one selected.

Usually, when you shift into a gear that just grinds it is because the blocking ring (part of the synchronizer) has failed and it is not allowing full engagement.

Here is a guide that explains for of this. Step 5 is where it starts talking about this. Unfortunately, the only solution is to disassemble the transmission and replace this component.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-standard-transmission-works
May 8, 2019 at 8:43 AM
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