I have a 2007 Enthusiast Manual Z with 12,860 miles on the car. The car usually shifts like silk, but all of a sudden, the last three days or so at very random times, doesn't matter if it's a cold or warm engine, I will go from second and head to third and it will stick once it gets out of the 2nd gear gate and completely lock up. I can't even move the shifter left and right(not even attempting to go into ANY gear) I have to try to shake it back and forth(only moves a fraction of an inch) until it frees up. Sometimes it takes a small giggle sometimes it takes me about 10-15 seconds to get it to free up.

The only thing I can think of is the linkage at the base of the shifter failing or something effecting it somehow, or something is ceasing up in the tranny. The first thing I thought of was tranny fluid. So I checked the service manual and it only lists 5 possible issues that could cause ""Hard to shift or will not shift"

1. Oil (wrong oil)
2. Oil (Oil level is high)
3. Shift control linkage (worn)
4. Baulk ring (Worn or damaged)
5. Insert Spring (Damaged)

I work on all my own cars and my dad is a mechanic but inside the tranny is not something I am willing to do. But as for the manuals suggestions.

1. Impossible never been changed, not even at 13k miles yet
2. same as 1
3. this is the linkage at the base of the shifter, no idea how this would fail. I will check to see if I can find any issues from within the cabin
4. will not attempt would take to dealer
5. same as 4

Anyone have any other ideas what this could be? Or has anyone else had this issue?

 

well, that is definately odd...

I would start with checking the linkage from under the car....jack the car up and give a good visual inspection...if i remember right, tehre is a boot over the linkage at that point....remove and inspect..

next - since its relatively cheap, i would drain the oil and replace just to eliminate - i know you said its new, but still....

if not that, then i would drain into a new pan, and then replace it if you dont care to buy new fluid....but that still doesnt tell you if the fluid in there is the right one or not but at least checks the level..


hummm, let me think......
-J

 

I'll check those out.

The manual says for checking levelis to remove the filler plug and stick yourfinger in it. The fluid should be right at the level of the hole.

Do you know if you can see the linkage from the cabin? I'm afraid of the boot because if I put any marks on it. I'm afraid if it is messed up there, that I would have to take it to the dealer and if they see it's been tampered with, that they would void any warranties.

 

na its under....let me find you the FSM...

EDIT* BINGO - http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/350Z/

Search the pictures for behind the tranny, there is a fork like linkage that then goes up and into the cabin to the shifter...the shifter is NOT directly above the tranny, but behind it..

see mt.pdf file...page 12 and on.

page- MT-12

I would from the inside -remove boot item 7 - CONTROL LEVER BOOT B

Check the control rod and pin at item 14....etc.
-J

 

I have the service manual if that is what you mean by FSM...I was just hoping if you tear everything out up top you'd be able to see down in there lol guess not

 

The more I look at the shift linkage I don't think that could be it. And it only seems to happen when I gun it to pass or get around someone. Like a quick burst of acceleration and then shifting does it happen. But not every time. I'm starting to fear this is a tranny issue.

 

Did a little driving today and I can almost do it on command now. It happens when I am making a left turn in second gear get it anywhere above 3-4k and try to shift to 3rd. Any ideas? I can't get it to be anything but silk parked which leads me away from shift linkage.

 

I don't understand why you'd jump though hoops with this when your car is both under warranty and under recall for the slave cylinder.

 

Because I hate the dealer. They usually seem to cause more problems than they help. I don't like punk techs flogging on my car to try to recreate the issue just to get a call 2 days later "Couldn't recreate the problem". So I avoid the dealer at all costs. I avoid ANY place for that matter. It's not their car so they could care less. I am **** about my paint and they always wash it no matter how much I tell them NOT too. And they swirl mark it all up.

But I think I am screwed this time. 3rd gear completely locked out of me today on top of the usual issues and now I'm about 95% sure it's a tranny issue. Probably the third gear syncro. So I'll be calling the dealer Monday.

 

I just got the car back from the dealer and they said it was the recalled slave cylinder. I can't think how that would cause this problem. This is the hydraulic assist to engaging and disengaging the clutch, correct? I don't see how that would seize up my shifter.

 

Well since I've had the car back I've driven it twice and the second night, it started seizing up the shifter again. But now the shifter in gear vibrates a lot more aggressively then it used to. And when I have the clutch in and it is in neutral coasting to a stop there is a vibration through the shifter that was not there before. It stops when I come to a stop.

I hate the dealer. Cars are never the same once they touch the car.

 

when I went to the dealer last week they said there is no recall in the slave cylinder and the problem that you are having with your sticky pedal clutch is the OS GIKEN that I installed two weeks ago . so I side just change the damn slave cylinder and CSC and STFU.

Me never going back to the dealer again .

 

Nothing good comes from the dealer. I almost want to sell the car now because I'm afraid they did something that will cause my tranny to fail out of warranty.