Dropping out of 3rd gear

[Bear6360]

Recently, I have been noticing something annoying in my car. If I'm in 3rd gear and not stepping on the accelerator, my car will drop out of gear and into neutral. It doesn't happen everytime I downshift, but frequently enough to pi$$ me off. Also, it ONLY happens with 3rd gear. It happened once in 5th.....but only once in 2 years ain't bad. I had my clutch replaced about 12K miles ago (March 2002). Any suggestions, comments, complaints, or comic annecdote? Perhaps I'm just being lazy and not shoving it into gear hard/far enough.

 

[wileycoyote]

It may be as simple as an adjustment to the clutch, but somehow that doesn't make sense. More likely, it is a problem with the shift linkage. If the shifter feels loose and sloppy, or doesn't move smoothly left to right and front to back, with the engine off, it may be a worn interlock ball or selector rod.

The easy place to look is the shift linkage. Remove the shift boot and examine the linkage for worn or bent parts (one to many vigorous engagments of third gear). Also check the linkage near the tranny, if you can get to it. If someone worked on the clutch they may have bent, broken, or incorrectly reassembled something.

Last, and worst, you could have a worn third gear. This and the first mentioned parts may be hard to fix.

I am not much of a mechanic, so don't take this as fact. It's just my thoughts...

 

[Big Daddy]

Although I do not know if they mention any transmission problems, this is by far the best Z3 "fix it" page I have ever seen. Lots of good stuff.

http://www.waycoolinc.com/z3/essentials/fixit/index.html

 

[bonzo]

Big Dady;

Great site you referenced here. Thanx!!!

[fake]

 

[Big Daddy]

Your welcome. That site has helped me with many a question.

 

[Bear6360]

If you want to speak to the webmaster of that page, you can post messages on z4um.com. Her username is Rachel. She's very knowledgable.

Thanks for the update guys! I don't think it's a major deal because it hasn't happened in about 2 weeks, but I'll keep my eyes and ears open.

 

[Frosty Power 323CI]

Recently, I have been noticing something annoying in my car. If I'm in 3rd gear and not stepping on the accelerator, my car will drop out of gear and into neutral. It doesn't happen everytime I downshift, but frequently enough to pi$$ me off. Also, it ONLY happens with 3rd gear. It happened once in 5th.....but only once in 2 years ain't bad. I had my clutch replaced about 12K miles ago (March 2002). Any suggestions, comments, complaints, or comic annecdote? Perhaps I'm just being lazy and not shoving it into gear hard/far enough.

Any results with your 3rd gear problems? Same thing happens to my car. Thanks!

 

[grc]

i'll keep my fingers crossed for you guys! have you checked the linkage for anything that might be keeping the works from going all the way into gear? longshot, but hey?