97 Stick Shift Movement Problem

[...Mike]

We have a 1997 Accord DX - 4 cylinder - manual 5-speed transmission.
The stick shift has always moved fine - no problems.
Recently, the shift lever seems to get stuck moving out of 4th.
Less often, it now seems to have trouble sometimes when it gets out of 4th or 5th and into neutral, where it doesn't want to go anywhere.
My son told me he could slap it and make it move.
After my test drive, I told him that just wiggling a bit would suffice.

Any suggestions ?

Thanks...
...Mike

[SatinSilver]

Has the manual transmission fluid been changed every 30k miles?

[...Mike]

Let's guess 'no' . We got it with about 100K on it and it now has 120,000 miles.
We have not changed any fluid. I'm thinking maybe the prev owner did not either.

I'm guessing changing the fluid now won't fix the issue.
Does this behaviour sound characteristic of no oil changes ?
Thanks...
...Mike

[SatinSilver]

I would put some new mtf in there and see what happens. It's worked for others in the past with similiar problems. Probably, the best mtf is GM FM syncromesh mtf. Should be available at any GM dealer. Call around first though to make sure it's in stock.

This is what Honda recommends to get rid of hard shifting in 7th and 8th gen mt's(the GM stuff). There is a tsb on it.

[arete111]

I just changed out the trans fluid on a 97 EX 5MT with Penzoil Synchromesh and it greatly helped going into reverse.

[Rush 2112]

I've heard that if the fluid hasn't been changed in great amounts of time, such as 100,000 miles, that changing it can be detrimental, and actually cause problems - is this true? I just bought a 209,000 mile accord and im not sure if i should change my gear oil, clutch fluid, etc.