I was wondering if anyone else has had issues engaging third gear with the five-speed manual. Occasionally, and this has happened since I bought the car new, I have had difficulties shifting into third gear. When this happens, either the third gear will not engage entirely, leaving me in neutral while the lever appears to be in third, or (most concerning) the gear grinds. I have been driving a manual since the first time I stepped behind the wheel, including many Hondas, so I don't think the error is on my part. This problem occurs occasionally, say once a month, but the grinding of the gears worries me about potential longevity issues.

A second issue that I have noticed concerns the emergency brake. On about three occasions, I have gotten into the car and began the routine procedure for starting when the ebrake, for no apparent reason, slams down with a loud bang. And this occurs without me touching it! Anytime that this has happened, the car immediately dies. Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm sorry to hear about your problem. However, don't start new threads w/o searching first. This problem has been discussed for 6MT trans and the 5MT trans. Search the forum.

In my '07, I have had no trouble with 3rd gear, but going into 2nd is often clunky. I've not experienced the situation that you're describing with the emergency brake.

It would also help us to know what year/trim/body style your Accord is. I would recommend putting that information in your signature so that people who respond can be better informed before providing feedback. Thanks, and welcome!

Perhaps you didn't notice that this was a two-part post. Concerning the transmission, I am quite aware that others have posted issues, but I have not seen any with regards to the e-brake.

Furthermore, there are many reoccurring posts on here centered on certain issues, brakes being one and transmissions another.

Describe how you use the ebrake. How much do you pull it back? And when you say your car dies, as in just stalls out or has an electrical short of some kind?

Be as specific as possible. Include pictures. Infact, tell me how many clicks you do on the ebrake normally.

my trans did the same thing too. but lately it hasn't done it. once in a while it grinds or is hard to put into 3rd while driving. no issues with the e brake tho.

As far as setting the ebrake, I pull it as far as it will go without applying too much force. When the car dies, it stalls out. I just don't understand how the ebrake can slam down like that without me touching it, it's as if the car has a mind of its own.

Your parking brake is getting stuck man, hence the stalling and 'banging'. You need to get it lubed to avoid that, but it shouldn't be happening on a new car... unless you're 4-wheeling on it, that is :naughty:. Good luck man.

It hasn't happened very many times, around three. It is the first car to ever do that, so I just kinda chalked it up as not that serious, a quirk if you will. I hate to take my car to the dealership, because the service crew is so obdurate. I think because I am younger they just assume that they can do and charge whatever without fear of losing anyone important, but its not quite that simple. Regardless, I think I will let it be unless it becomes more of a pronounced problem.

I've also had a similar grinding noise when engaging 3rd gear. But this is my first manual car so I presumed I wasn't doing it correctly - but then again, that might also be part of the problem... :dunno:

Same here with 3rd gear issue.
I experienced the grinding couple of times so far and this makes me very nervous each time I shift to 3rd and I have to make a conscious effort to really make sure that it engages.
Took the car to the dealership, and it turns out one of the employees was also having the same problem with her Gen7 accord and suggested that mechanics would have to drive and re-create the problem if they can to figure out what is causing it.
To me that was a dead-end as although she is an employee there, they couldn't find the reasons for her transmission problem.
They would have to drive the car for a week and if they are lucky and all the stars lined up, it will make the problem once maybe.

I am not a first time stick shift driver. Basically grew up driving Fiats and Alfas that don't necessarily have the silkiest gear shifts. I wasn't expecting this on an Accord though.

Thankfully, haven't had anything like the emergency brake issue you mentioned.

I had a 2005 Acura RSX-S with the 6MT and I remember having this problem with my 3rd gear. It would occasionally grind the gear or pop out of gear. It didn't happen all the time, but when it did it pissed me off.

I'm not sure about your e-brake though.

It sounds like the e-brake cable has to be adjusted. This is an easy fix. You can google it or look into a Hayne's or similar manual for instructions on how to do this.

The 3rd gear is a problem for me too. Now, it seems I have to double check and give it an extra push before releasing the clutch. I think it's the shifter. It maybe a tad short underneath (the part that connects to the rod beneath the car). I say wait for the mugen shifter and upgrade then. :naughty: