From Neutral to First (Problem: Doesn't go in sometimes) HELP!

curnaco · 08-23-2007, 12:17 PM

Hello,

Our 6-Speed Cruiser has a problem. "Sometimes" when you are in a full stop, you push the clutch All the way in and try to put it in First Gear and it does NOT want to engage properly. It doesn't even go in.

We have to put it in Netral again and try again. This happens probably once a day.

We took it to Toyota Dealership like 3 or 4 times and we got the same response "We can't duplicate the problem" So we are basically screwed.

We also rode with the Mechanic/Tech at toyota Dealership and it didn't do it while we were with the Guys at Toyota.

We have been driving Manuals for a long time (10+ years) so we know how to drive. When it was Brand new 0 miles it didn't used to do that. It began at 10,000 miles.

Is there a number we can call toyota corp. or something???
Thanks for your Help.

1 Bored Clerk · 08-23-2007, 12:39 PM

Both Tacomas that I owned had 'issues' going into 1st. It wasn't that it wouldn't ever go into 1st, but sometimes it wouldn't want to right away...forget about shifting to first while you're moving! The Tacoma that my sister owned also had the same 'issues'. I think it's the way Toyota makes their transmissions or something. Reverse could be finicky on the Tacomas as well. I don't know what people are experiencing on FJ's though.

Landdozer · 08-23-2007, 12:41 PM

It happens occasionally on my 6MT too. Just let the clutch go once and try again. Its so rare that I don't mind. I think this happens on most MT's esp with real low gears, even with dual cone synchros etc.

Just get used to going to first giving it a little time, I usually anticipate light changes at traffic stops instinctively and shift to first a few seconds before the change, instead of having to de clutch and try again.

Also, a slow steady push into first gear helps get in more often than a sudden jerk of thye shift into first.

other1 · 08-23-2007, 12:46 PM

Try jiggling the shifter while in neutral before putting it into 1st. Your problem is sort of common in standard shift trans.

Briman42487 · 08-23-2007, 12:55 PM

my FJ is an automatic, but i havent had a manual FJ do it to me, but the only other 4wd manual that i drive all the time does it sometimes in 1st and reverse. i just kind of feather the clutch and it goes into the gear i want it to. no grinding, no problems once it goes into gear.

NYCTRD · 08-23-2007, 12:56 PM

Try putting it in 2nd first, then slide it straight into 1st.

bobbo7915 · 08-23-2007, 01:24 PM

^^^ thats what i do when it happens, it'll slide right into 2nd and then the shift into first drops right in place...

Landdozer · 08-23-2007, 02:27 PM

I don't find shifting to 2nd and then going to 1st helps on the FJ MT. Used to work on others. The only way I get it to work for sure is de clutching and then trying again.

fjsspr · 08-25-2007, 04:49 AM

same problem here but when i switch from neutral to reverse in a 6speed toyota matrix xrs, the reverse is right next to 1st. the reverse alarm starts beeping, but sometimes it doesnt hook up...

gnwhite · 08-25-2007, 06:55 AM

If it wont go after trying second... Shift into one or two other positions and it will go. Or you can hold it againt the first gear position ever so slightly and let up on the clutch alittle.