Won't go into 1st gear sometimes at a red light - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

JT ZR-Won · 05-20-2022

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and can maybe point me in the right direction? Most of the time I roll up to red lights, I'll be in neutral. When the light turns green I put the clutch in and move shifter into 1st gear like normal and then proceed to go. But sometimes (randomly) I'll be sitting there in neutral, then put the clutch in and it will not go into 1st gear. I then have to quickly put the clutch in, put the shifter in 2nd, then when the car starts rolling I can quickly clutch in and it'll slide right into 1st gear?

Its effective but extremely annoying. Anyone have any ideas?

Jay Trager

Jagdpanzer · 05-20-2022

Sounds like the clutch is not fully disengaging or dragging a bit.

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jw63 · 05-20-2022

Stock clutch? Or has it been replaced?
I used to have that ?problem? frequently when a single mass flywheel was in the car. Then my pilot bearing went bad and replaced everything and it?s pretty much gone away.
However, I do recall seeing a note in the owners manual that gives a procedure of what to do when this happens?so it must be a common enough ?problem? for GM to have put it in the owners manual from the beginning.

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CamP · 05-20-2022

Try putting it in second after coming to a stop, then it may find first more easily.

HAWAIIZR-1 · 05-21-2022

What is the history on transmission oil service and what are you using now?

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JT ZR-Won · 05-21-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAWAIIZR-1

What is the history on transmission oil service and what are you using now?ZR-1 Net Registry

Good question, I'll have to look through the records. I recently acquired the car from my Dad last fall who just recently had the car re-worked by Marc Haibeck.

I believe the clutch is stock and I know there is the lighter weight aluminum flywheel.

Jay

WARP TEN · 05-21-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT ZR-Won

Good question, I'll have to look through the records. I recently acquired the car from my Dad last fall who just recently had the car re-worked by Marc Haibeck.

I believe the clutch is stock and I know there is the lighter weight aluminum flywheel.

Jay

If you have not already, I would suggest a call to Marc Haibeck about it. If he recently worked on it that is a plus as he will be familiar with the car. He is always willing to help ZR-1 owners and I am sure he could offer some sound advice.630-458-8427. --Bob

HAWAIIZR-1 · 05-21-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT ZR-Won

Good question, I'll have to look through the records. I recently acquired the car from my Dad last fall who just recently had the car re-worked by Marc Haibeck.

I believe the clutch is stock and I know there is the lighter weight aluminum flywheel.

Jay

That is great news if Marc had his hands on it; it must be good to go. As Bob said, reach out to Marc the Wizard as he know all the symptoms of these cars. Best wishes. Mine does that too once in awhile on my 95 with 31K miles. When it does, I just go into another gear then to first. I even remember doing the same with my old school hot rods with Muncie M-21 so I never thought much about it.

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JT ZR-Won · 05-21-2022

Yes, I'll reach out to Marc for opinion as well... good feedback everyone, I appreciate it!

Jay

05-20-2022	#1
JT ZR-Won Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 135	Won't go into 1st gear sometimes at a red light I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and can maybe point me in the right direction? Most of the time I roll up to red lights, I'll be in neutral. When the light turns green I put the clutch in and move shifter into 1st gear like normal and then proceed to go. But sometimes (randomly) I'll be sitting there in neutral, then put the clutch in and it will not go into 1st gear. I then have to quickly put the clutch in, put the shifter in 2nd, then when the car starts rolling I can quickly clutch in and it'll slide right into 1st gear? Its effective but extremely annoying. Anyone have any ideas? Jay Trager

05-20-2022	#2
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,650	Re: Won't go into 1st gear sometimes at a red light Sounds like the clutch is not fully disengaging or dragging a bit. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Phil Wasinger 1994 Torch Red ZR-1 WAZOO Member George Braml Intake

05-20-2022	#3
jw63 Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 44	Re: Won't go into 1st gear sometimes at a red light Stock clutch? Or has it been replaced? I used to have that ?problem? frequently when a single mass flywheel was in the car. Then my pilot bearing went bad and replaced everything and it?s pretty much gone away. However, I do recall seeing a note in the owners manual that gives a procedure of what to do when this happens?so it must be a common enough ?problem? for GM to have put it in the owners manual from the beginning. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ '90 #413 Red/Red Sold '90 #1583 Red/Red

05-20-2022	#4
CamP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: fort worth Posts: 183	Re: Won't go into 1st gear sometimes at a red light Try putting it in second after coming to a stop, then it may find first more easily.

05-21-2022	#5
HAWAIIZR-1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Japan Posts: 3,556	Re: Won't go into 1st gear sometimes at a red light What is the history on transmission oil service and what are you using now? Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Craig "ZR-1 NO KA 'OI" "ZR-1 ICHIBAN" 1995 #228 Black/Black with Dunn Heads ZR-1 owner since September 2003 ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #0074 NCM Lifetime Member #2048