5 speed in our 97 RS (420a) is getting very hard to get into first. When the car is stopped it shifts fine, when on the go, it is like it will not move. I know this means I have to pull it, but thought I would ask first. Do the cable linkages go bad?

Also, I know the 420 was used in the Neon. Are transmissions interchangable also?

 

it could just be your clutch release system (your slave and/or master cylinder)

get some dot 4 fluid and top off your clutch master cylinder and bleed the lines and see if you still have that problem

 

yea there are a few different things that it could be. However when would you need to go into first gear besides being stopped? But if its almost every gear type of thing then id say try bleeding the lines first

 

Yes they are but ppl only do it for better gas mileage. Check your fluid in for master cylinder res, then check you master cylinder itself behind the clutch peddle for leaks (I had 2 leak on me in that same spot, have someone press and release the clutch peddle and watch the clucth release valve shown in these pictures. I have trouble gettin into first aswellI thought it was a saftey thing for newbies so they won't go into 1st trying to hit 3rd.does it go in easy when your slowing down? When was the last time you changed your trans fluid? Why type of fluid did you use?How does you clutch peddle feel?

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Thanks all. Shop thinks the clutch is warn a bit. They say there is an adjuster for the clutch pedal. They are going to readjust and check the master/slave. If that does it, I still see a clutch job in my future, but hopefully, I can pospone it until the weather is good.

It shifts fine when the engine is off, so, clutch, master/slave appears to be a good first start.

Trans does have a front seal leak, so if that is leaking on the clutch, it would wear out fast. Have to change that seal anyway, so I was planning to pull it. Just not right now.

 

Since this site helps others figure out problems, I thought I would post an update. Shop adjusted the clutch and it now shifts like normal. Mechanic said that this will last for a while, but clutch will need to be replaced. Amount of time will depend on how bad it is worn. I am hoping we can make it till the weather gets a bit better or at least spring break where we have two weeks to get it fixed.

So if you start having problems shifting into first, check what the others said and adjust the clutch lever and see if that corrects the problem.