Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what is going on with my MINI. It is an April 2002 MC with 22000 miles on it. Everytime I am shifting to 1st, 3rd or 5th there is quite a bit of resistance and a rubbing sound. It feels like I have to put in a lot of effort to get it to go to 1st, 3rd and 5th but everything is normal for 2nd, 4th and reverse. This problem has just started and I am a bit worried. Anyone have any ideas? I am in the middle of a semester at school in central Pennsylvania and my dealer is 230 miles away! Help please!

np

 

Hey noleski,
Welcome to NAM! Sorry that your first post has to be about a problem. Regardless of what the issue is, I can guarantee you that it's going to require a visit to the dealer. In case you're damaging things by driving it, I would call roadside assistance and have them flatbed it. Hopefully they or your insurance company will cover a rental. Good luck, and let us know what the problem turns out to be! I haven't heard of this particular problem with the 5-speed.

Chris

 

Once in a while i have a problem putting it into first. Like somethings blocking it. Kinda odd, and I do have the reverse problem quite often. but its managable. I'm sure you're car has been fixed, but i remember a recall a while back dealing with gears. Check it out, if anything, just go to your dealer, still under warranty

 

Thank you to everyone who has responded, I truly appreciate it! Anybody have any other ideas? Or has this happened to anyone else?

np

 

NRX13, I have the same thing happen as you. I've asked about it here, and it was explained as the gear not being precisely lined up with the clutch. Supposedly it can happen in all manual tranny cars, though I never noticed it in the three different Japanese cars I owned before the MINI. Anyway, all you have to do is tap the gas very slightly, and the gears move and allow first gear to engage.

Noleski's problem sounds different, much more like an actual probem that could eventually lead to failure.

Have you called your dealer yet?

 

Once in a great while my MC will have issues going into first, as if there is a hump I need to get over.

 

Again thanks for your concern! I spoke with my dealer today and they could offer me no ideas on what they think the problem is. The service rep is awesome from prior experience but I don't think he got that I would not be able to bring the car in anytime soon. We will see what happens.

np

 

If you have trouble shifing into reverse, put the car in neutral and release the clutch, then re-clutch and shift to reverse. This almost always works to get the car in reverse.


R.E.

 

>>If you have trouble shifing into reverse, put the car in neutral and release the clutch, then re-clutch and shift to reverse. This almost always works to get the car in reverse.
>>
>>
>>R.E.
Double clutching is for cars without synchros- very 50s technology.

 

I'm not aware of any manual transmission in which reverse is synchronized.

 

I have owned a lot of standard tranny vehicles.on the tree,on the floor,3,4,5,speeds
and all go into reverse easier if you go into 2nd then reverse,keeping the clutch in until in reverse.Don't know about MINI tranny's(although it works in my MC) but 2nd and reverse are on the same shaft ,and with no sycro into reverse it lines up reverse gears with the gate .Now I'm a stagehand so don't bother flaming me if I'm wrong as I will start to whistle show tunes that you will never get out of your head

 

I would bring the car to the dealer and have them drive it, see for themselves. My MC will be 2 years old next month and I'm on my 3rd transmission. I wouldn't let this slide too long, otherwise you run out of warranty before you know it!

 

The Getrag-Ford gearbox that will going in the Copper for the 2005 model year has a synchronized reverse. It will life much simpler.

 

NOW you tell me

(ok, just having a laugh here.)

While not an expert Noel, it seems it's possible there is a physical problem slowing things down. Perhaps something as silly as the gasketing around the frame that seals the shifter. If it only problems in one direction, perhaps the frame, or gasket, or template has moved slightly.

And yes, nice driving with you on 17 today

DUCTTAPE