[matt_g]

2010 Jimny, ~60,000km on it, owned since new.

It has a thing (happens occasionally, but has done so for years) where it can be difficult to get into first, or reverse on the first attempt - clutch in, move stick, and it won't go all the way.

Returning the stick to neutral, pressing the clutch again, it will generally go into gear.

A couple of times lately, it's done this attempting to shift into third, while moving, once with a brief grind, which I instantly backed off from.

What can I check myself (fluid reservoirs, dipsticks etc), or ask a transmission shop / mechanic to look at for an inspection?

It USED to have a thing where there was a chirping from the underside of the car whenever the engine was running, which went away when the clutch was depressed, but that seems to have gone away. My mechanic at the time suggested corrosion in the pushoff bearing, if I recall, and that it should resolve itself with more frequent driving, but would be ridiculously expensive to "fix".

I don't know if that's related, but it's there for context in case it's important.

thanks.

[fordem]

matt_g wrote:

2010 Jimny, ~60,000km on it, owned since new.

It has a thing (happens occasionally, but has done so for years) where it can be difficult to get into first, or reverse on the first attempt - clutch in, move stick, and it won't go all the way.

Returning the stick to neutral, pressing the clutch again, it will generally go into gear.

This is fairly normal with most manual transmission vehicles, and is not something I would be overly concerned about.

Quote:

A couple of times lately, it's done this attempting to shift into third, while moving, once with a brief grind, which I instantly backed off from.

This is a little more unusual and suggests possibly worn synchros

Apart from checking the lube level which is done by removing the fill plug half way up the side of the transmission, there isn't much that can be done without dropping the transmission & splitting it

[matt_g]

fordem wrote:

This is fairly normal with most manual transmission vehicles, and is not something I would be overly concerned about.

Thanks. So when it does go into gear, still having some resistence, and a click / clunk as it goes in, which I get the feeling is not something that happened as much in the past... indicate anything further?

fordem wrote:

This is a little more unusual and suggests possibly worn synchros

Would the car being idle too much also potentially explain this - if it sits for a couple of weeks without being driven, etc?

fordem wrote:

Apart from checking the lube level which is done by removing the fill plug half way up the side of the transmission, there isn't much that can be done without dropping the transmission & splitting it

OK, is that intended for a the average person to be able to check, the way the engine oil / coolant are, or is it more a "do you own a car lift" DIY job?

I'm happy to take it in somewhere to get checked, I'd just rather not look like a potential walking boat payment, if i can avoid it.

I appreciate the response, thanks

[fordem]

Regarding the fluid level check, depending on your build you might be able to do it in your driveway, you need the car to be on a level surface and you need to be able to slide underneath. If it's too close to the ground for you to get under, it's a Jimny, you can put it on axle stands and still have it reasonably level. The fill plug will usually have a square recess about the size of a 3/8" ratchet drive - it is NOT 3/8", it's 10mm, if you use a 3/8" ratchet, which many people do, you run the risk of stripping the plug. Checking the level is not difficult, but the average Joe has the tools to do it (some mechanics may also not have a 10mm sq adapter).

It might be an idea to have the clutch cable adjustment checked, if the clutch is not disengaging fully it tends to make it more difficult to engage gears with the vehicle at a standstill.