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Problem shifting into first and reverse

67K views 63 replies 34 participants last post by  kev o)))  
#1 ·
Hey guys,
Lately my car developed a habit of giving me trouble shifting into 1st or reverse from a dead stop. It doesn't happen every time I shift, may be 20% of the time. When it happens I can usually shift into another gear (i.e. 2nd) and then it goes back into the one I tried initially with no issues. It seems to have started after the RMM TSB was done. Has anyone experienced the same issue? I might talk to my dealer about that, but afraid they will start giving me crap about by steeda SSB.
 
#2 ·
Could be indication that clutch is not completely disengaged.

Try it with engine off, if you can shift into 1st and reverse easily, and then engine on and you can't - take it to dealer, could be clutch or master or slave cylinder issue or leak.

Make sure you are fully depressing the clutch.
 
#4 ·
I have this issues too, but I have also had it on other cars. I think it has to do with the synchro (I am no expert by any means). I have not had rmm replaced or done anything about the tsb. I have noticed that if I shift into 1st and shift back into neutral without ever depressing the clutch i struggle to get it back into first its like there is something physically blocking me pushing it into first. what i found works for me is holding it with slight pressure and it just slides in.
 
#7 ·
Not to be 'captain obvious', but don't forget that the temp is dropping big time in your neck of the woods. These boxes need some warm up time before they shift they way you want them to. Don't force it into gear - nice & easy or you'll clip those synchros or bend one of your shift forks in the box - Just like a 5.0 T5.

Is this happening after driving for a while, or right after starting up? Something to consider...

(Sorry...just saw Roz's post...)
 
#9 ·
Hey guys, Lately my car developed a habit of giving me trouble shifting into 1st or reverse from a dead stop. It doesn't happen every time I shift, may be 20% of the time. When it happens I can usually shift into another gear (i.e. 2nd) and then it goes back into the one I tried initially with no issues. It seems to have started after the RMM TSB was done. Has anyone experienced the same issue? I might talk to my dealer about that, but afraid they will start giving me crap about by steeda SSB.
Same thing here, right after my tsb, i had the same issue. Was gonna bring it back, but i shifted the crap out of it until the problem fixed itself.
 
#11 ·
I don't think so, it feels more like the linkage binding rather than the gearbox side of things that can make it seem more difficult to get reverse at least after the short throw shifter. Not sure if it's the angle or it being too far to the left vs where the virtual gate is. Sometimes it's easy, other times it takes more effort to get it to engage, even after going to a different gate first.
 
#17 ·
Every single gear is synchronized in the MMT6 gearbox, including first and reverse.

The MMT6 manual transmission features the following:

Two-part aluminum housing
All gear wheels are helical toothed and are constantly engaged
1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear are triple synchronized.
5th, 6th and reverse gear have double synchronization

By optimizing the friction in the transmission and using a lower viscosity transmission fluid, it has been possible to achieve fuel savings and thereby reduce CO2 emissions. Information on the specification can be found in FordEtis
An externally mounted gearshift mechanism
All driving gears of the transmission are located on the input shaft
The input shaft is designed as a solid shaft and runs on one ball bearing and one roller bearing with no pre-load
The gears for 1st and 2nd gear are an integral part of the input shaft. The gears for 3rd and 5th gears and the gear for 4th/6th gear are pressed on. Because of the high force used to press on the components, the gears cannot be pressed off in service. A faulty input shaft can only be replaced as a complete unit
Defective bearings can be pressed off and changed
The output pinion of the 1st/4th gear output shaft is an integral part of the shaft
The synchronizers of the 1st/2nd and the 3rd/4th gears are located on the output shaft
The 1st/4th gear output shaft is a hollow shaft. The fluid is directed into the inner diameter of the hollow shaft for lubrication of the needle bearings and the synchronizer units. Both output shafts run on taper roller bearings which are pre-loaded with the aid of adjusting shims in the clutch housing
The output pinion is an integral part of the shaft
The 5th/6th and reverse gear synchronizer assemblies are located on the shaft
The 5th/6th/reverse gear output shaft is a hollow shaft. The fluid is directed into the inner diameter of the hollow shaft for lubrication of the needle bearings and the synchronizer units. Both output shafts run on taper roller bearings which are pre-loaded with the aid of adjusting shims in the clutch housing
The differential runs on taper roller bearings and is pre-loaded with the aid of an adjusting shim in the clutch housing
 
#20 ·
Only thing I've noticed is I get a little resistance shifting into 1st gear from 3-6... Once I push it in, it goes in and out with ease until I drive in 3-6 again. Just takes a little more pressure to push it in.
 
#21 ·
Have the same thing. I've grown accustomed to it.
 
#22 ·
Has to do with the syncros- I remember with my 1993 Taurus SHO (aka The Beast) I couldn't shift into reverse without first shifting into 1st or 2nd. After a while, it becomes second nature. I am experiencing the same thing with my ST when it is cold and shifting into 1st or 2nd first seems to do the trick for me.
 
#24 ·
I'm gonna wait to install boomba short throw to see if that helps.
 
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#32 ·
found out that this is supposed to happen when putting into 1st gear position while still on clutch <20mph
 
#25 · (Edited)
This is not a synchro issue bit rather a clutch that can't release fast enough. I have taken it in now 3 times watching the poor excuse for a Ford tech try to get it in first and reverse. He forces into gear looks at me and says all looks good. I've been fighting this issue since 3k miles and now have 28k. In contact with customer care but the lack of knowledge on the tech is the main issue. 80% or the new Ford techs can only repair a problem if a code is given to them. The good days of having diagnostic knowledge are becoming further away. The best and classic diagnosis I got from a tech was it's a special edition powerhouse built for racing purposes, the Trans is hard to shift cause it's built ford tough. Lol i looked at him and said wow even our dog ring boxes in our track only race car isn't this hard to shift and we don't use a clutch I sure am glad it's strong...
 
#26 ·
If I'm moving forward regardless of speed it's difficult to shift in to first and the same goes for rolling backwards and shifting on to reverse.

I just avoid the situations by staying in second at low speeds if and putting it in reverse at a stop vs rolling backwards.

Been this way since she was new 3k miles ago.
 
#28 ·
I did notice this when I the temp started to drop down into the 30s and lower. I give it an extra 5 minutes to warm up now, unless it's absolutely frigid outside.
 
#29 ·
Mine will do this when cold. Just get in habit of brining it down into 2nd after startup, then slide into first.
 
#31 ·
I have not mentioned it. I live in Arizona so we don't see cold temps very often. I've only seen this issue come up recently, but we have floating night temps in 30-50 degree range.
 
#34 ·
Understood, Mooshin. If you decide to have this concern diagnosed by your Ford Dealer, please shoot me a PM with your name, VIN, mileage, dealer, and best daytime phone number, and I'll see how I can help.

Notice the same issues with reverse in the cold, my vehicle 1k miles, build date 11/14
Hey ZX3CLH,

Thanks for posting about your concern. Have you had a chance to have this diagnosed by your Ford Dealer?

Nick
 
#41 · (Edited)
Same issue here.... I scheduled appointment with the dealer today.

My 2015 Ford Focus ST has around 1700 miles on ODO,and when I shift car from stop into 1st gear to enter my garage.... transmission for some odd reason will engage into reverse (did not expect that so I almost backed into my neighbors parked car).

After shifting couple of times from 1st to 2nd it cleared itself,and engaged like it should.

Im very worried (potentially safety issue),and will test this out over the weekend!!
 
#43 ·
wow exactly the same problem as me! you never lifted the ring and it still go into reverse right? so this is like a common problem for our car I think there should be a recall. please let us know how it went at the dealer!!

I agree this is very dangerous, many times I look ahead and car went backward!! very dangerous, good thing I always go slowly. ( I think it only happens after you go into reverse then back into 1st, or vice versa. I think it never go into R from N or after you start the car or maybe from 2nd gear etc...how about you guys?

I haven't been able to shift into reverse in as long as I can remember. I have to shift into 1st then it goes into reverse. I though it was because of the short shift kit I installed. Glad to know I'm not alone.
lol so do you have a 1st gear? man that's bad get it fixed!