The manual shifter will lock in sixth gear?

Tiny
NEDWARDWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE
  • 3.2L
  • V6
  • MANUAL
  • 80,200 MILES
My manual shifter will lock in 6th gear whenever it feels like it. So, I pull over, turn off the vehicle, pump the clutch and gently play with the shifter then it will engage and let me on my way. Have noticed a small leak drivers' side above the exhaust manifold (MC or Slave maybe?) One time had a small oily spot inside the vehicle around the clutch (MC again?)
Sunday, December 11th, 2022 AT 8:18 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,192 POSTS
If the clutch is not working correctly, it will cause this problem, do you have issues with any other gears? If not, it could be the shifter can wear out or needs to be lubricated. Here is a video to help see the condition of the clutch and I have included how to service the shifter in the images below. Also, check to see if the clutch fluid is down. I have included the clutch master location and replacement instructions in case it is leaking.

https://youtu.be/EpBMj5ZY_bo

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
NEDWARDWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for trying to help but my clutch does not slip, it doesn't go to the floor and the (2) best transmission shops in the area drove it without incident and determined that it shifted and worked fine but then after I get it back it will lock into 6th gear only whenever it feels like it. Sometimes when I shift from 1st to 2nd it will go into 4th. I did all of the clutch tests prior to u sending me the video and didn't have any of the issues in the video. I have a Mercedes transmission and engine. You have to drop the transmission to get to the hydraulic clutch.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 12th, 2022 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,192 POSTS
Yes, the shifting mechanism is where I would start, it could be just an adjustment for the cables, I would take it apart to look to make sure it is lubricated and adjusted correctly, you may have a shift cable that has worn slightly. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
NEDWARDWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for the advice. I am due for an oil change in about (2) months so I will have them check the shifter cables then. Until then I will continue driving the vehicle without using 6th gear. It tachs out at 6,000 RPMs so even at 80 MPH in 5th on the highway I'm at 2-3K RPMs, it just uses a little more gas than when I'm in 6th.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
NEDWARDWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Binding shift linkage or a binding shift lever can result in difficulty or no shifting. The same is true for the shift rails located inside of a transmission. These shift rails have detent springs/pins that can stick, leaving a vehicle unable to shift.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
NEDWARDWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Additional info: (2) years ago I had my manual trans serviced. They noted on the invoice that there was a spring and ball bearing laying in the drain pan but they didn't know where the parts went. So, they drove the car and also noted in writing that there were no shifting issues but if I experience any problems they recommend trans replacement. That was two years and I have been driving the vehicle ever since with no issues until now, the shifter will intermittently stick in 6th gear.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,192 POSTS
The problem can be definitely internal, I like to rule out the easier stuff first.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 15th, 2022 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
NEDWARDWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
When a repair shop says, I'd just replace the transmission, I like to do a process of elimination first by looking at the easier stuff first and then move on to the next items.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 15th, 2022 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,192 POSTS
Yep, good call. Please upload images of any parts that have failed to help anybody else that has the same problem. Let me know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 16th, 2022 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
NEDWARDWILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Will do.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 16th, 2022 AT 3:05 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Transmission Gear Selector Content