This problem started suddenly and happens intermittently after car sits for 6-8 hours. The transmission refuses to go into 1st. Does not grind, just won't engage with reasonable force. 2nd, 3rd, 4th will engage, but feel stiff. Reverse grinds. Cycling clutch combined with playing it through neutral, 2nd, 3rd, 4th several times loosens it up until 1st will engage (still no grinding). Once I get the car underway all is normal. The clutch seems just as smooth as when it was new, pedal and engagement point have not changed. It definitely does not have that sticking TOB feel that the old clutch had near its end of life. I switched the MTX to Valvoline Dex/Merc ATF 30K ago (when clutch was replaced) on good reports from the Feedback forum; I had always run Mobil 1 ATF before then.
So, I suppose my first step will be to change the ATF back to Mobil 1 and look for debris in the old fluid. Does this sound like the transmission is going to need a rebuild, or is it something else? If it's the transmission, how long do I have before it locks up? This is my daily driver and it's not driven hard. It's my 92 MTX, 215K and 30K since new clutch.
So, I suppose my first step will be to change the ATF back to Mobil 1 and look for debris in the old fluid. Does this sound like the transmission is going to need a rebuild, or is it something else? If it's the transmission, how long do I have before it locks up? This is my daily driver and it's not driven hard. It's my 92 MTX, 215K and 30K since new clutch.
