Can't downshift from 3rd to 2nd gear? Tranny oil problem?
11-06-2021, 12:54 AM
#16
3rd Gear
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I had exactly this same issue today at Sonoma with my 2020 GT4. In the fifth session of the day, right out of pit lane, I was unable to downshift from third to second on turn two. I shifted back into third gear, made that turn and then had the exact same issue on turn four, at which point I stayed in third until I could exit the track. Testing out in the paddock area couldn't reproduce the issue, so I went back out for another lap and immediately had the same issue. It feels like there is something plastic or rubber blocking second gear from engaging. I didn't try to force it in, but I did try coming at second from multiple angles (diagonal, down/left/down, down/diagonal, etc) and couldn't get it to engage at all. Downshifts from third to second have been clean and easy for me since getting the car (unlike upshifts from two to three, which are hard for me to keep smooth!).
I'm back to driving a manual car after a long hiatus, so user error is certainly a possibility, I just can't figure out how it was working the rest of the day.
I'm very curious to hear what you learned from your dealer. I'll be calling mine on Monday.
I'm back to driving a manual car after a long hiatus, so user error is certainly a possibility, I just can't figure out how it was working the rest of the day.
I'm very curious to hear what you learned from your dealer. I'll be calling mine on Monday.
11-06-2021, 01:10 AM
#17
11-06-2021, 08:48 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Confirmed that I was shifting passing through the reverse gate, which was preventing me shifting down to 2nd.
Same thing happened to me again on 10/30 at Sonoma, and just like DFW01TT mentioned, focusing on shifting and it never happened again.
I ended up doing straight down pulling with just a tiny bit of push to the left. If you have auto blip on, you would know that gear is in the correct 2nd gear (auto rev match) or the wrong 4th gear.
Same thing happened to me again on 10/30 at Sonoma, and just like DFW01TT mentioned, focusing on shifting and it never happened again.
I ended up doing straight down pulling with just a tiny bit of push to the left. If you have auto blip on, you would know that gear is in the correct 2nd gear (auto rev match) or the wrong 4th gear.
11-06-2021, 08:52 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
Long term, no zip tie needed solution is Porsche should put the reverse on the right side of the gate not the left. A 5th to 6th shift or 6th to 5th you’re not pulling the lever over, just down or up, so there’s no chance of going over into the reverse detent. I haven’t had the lockout issue but I have put it into the reverse channel a few times before when there are some cornering forces going on. Probably shouldn’t be changing gears and cornering at the same time but the need does arise from time to time.
11-06-2021, 10:12 AM
#20
Instructor
I’ve had the same problem perhaps a dozen times in 23,000 miles of driving my 718 Spyder. Sure, we could all shift more carefully, but when you are attacking a track or b-road, you need reliable shifts with a certain tolerance for user input variation.
It’s unfortunate that Porsche carried across a flawed manual transmission from the 981 into the 718 with no update.
Between the shifter issues, long ratios and inability to handle maximum torque of the new 4.0, I’m hoping someone develops a complete aftermarket replacement.
It’s unfortunate that Porsche carried across a flawed manual transmission from the 981 into the 718 with no update.
Between the shifter issues, long ratios and inability to handle maximum torque of the new 4.0, I’m hoping someone develops a complete aftermarket replacement.
11-06-2021, 11:58 AM
#21
Seriously, I was debating manual vs. PDK in this car, but came to that conclusion personally... YMMV, of course
11-06-2021, 12:05 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
To anyone elsewhere reading this - don’t let forum stories scare you away from the best manual transmission on the market.
The following 2 users liked this post by UncleDude:
Jeff Jones (11-06-2021),
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11-06-2021, 12:13 PM
#23
Yes, I drove a manual 718 (S, but it's the same box).
Last edited by unclemat; 11-06-2021 at 12:16 PM.
11-06-2021, 12:16 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
That's pure fanboism. Obviously it is far from best. You haven't driven enough cars apparently. GT3's manual is superior. So would be Subaru STI's gearbox: better feel and a better performance (ratios). I liked the feel of C7 Z06's Tremec and direct shift linkage much better. Yes, I drove a manual 718 (S, but it's the same box). Granted, C7 is no longer on "the new market".
11-06-2021, 12:37 PM
#25
RL Community Team
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11-06-2021, 12:41 PM
#26
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I’ve had the same problem perhaps a dozen times in 23,000 miles of driving my 718 Spyder. Sure, we could all shift more carefully, but when you are attacking a track or b-road, you need reliable shifts with a certain tolerance for user input variation.
It’s unfortunate that Porsche carried across a flawed manual transmission from the 981 into the 718 with no update.
Between the shifter issues, long ratios and inability to handle maximum torque of the new 4.0, I’m hoping someone develops a complete aftermarket replacement.
It’s unfortunate that Porsche carried across a flawed manual transmission from the 981 into the 718 with no update.
Between the shifter issues, long ratios and inability to handle maximum torque of the new 4.0, I’m hoping someone develops a complete aftermarket replacement.
As for need for a replacement, not necessary, gear sets are available should you wish to change the ratios, and they also increase the ability to handle increased power...
11-06-2021, 01:21 PM
#27
3rd Gear
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Confirmed that I was shifting passing through the reverse gate, which was preventing me shifting down to 2nd.
Same thing happened to me again on 10/30 at Sonoma, and just like DFW01TT mentioned, focusing on shifting and it never happened again.
I ended up doing straight down pulling with just a tiny bit of push to the left. If you have auto blip on, you would know that gear is in the correct 2nd gear (auto rev match) or the wrong 4th gear.
Same thing happened to me again on 10/30 at Sonoma, and just like DFW01TT mentioned, focusing on shifting and it never happened again.
I ended up doing straight down pulling with just a tiny bit of push to the left. If you have auto blip on, you would know that gear is in the correct 2nd gear (auto rev match) or the wrong 4th gear.
11-06-2021, 01:46 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
20,000 plus miles on my 981 GT4 and zero issues with shifting the transmission. Added Dundon headers/tune
and the long ratio issue became a non issue.
and the long ratio issue became a non issue.
07-03-2024, 08:30 PM
#29
5th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2023
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Hi folks,
I had a similar experience with my 2022 718 GT4 on the track at Laguna recently. It started in one of the afternoon sessions - under hard braking like in the entries to turns 11 and 2, I felt physically blocked from shifting down to 2nd from 3rd. As soon as I exited the track, the downshifts started working again smoothly. I tried and just could not reproduce this behavior on the street.
To check the reverse gate theory, I deliberately tried to over extend towards the left, but there is a distinct click that you feel before it goes to reverse and I am very confident that I didn't get there on the track.
Once it stopped downshifting on the tracking, I was free rolling in neutral trying to downshift to 2nd, but it still wouldn't let me, so if it is due to the braking load, the effect lasts for a while..
I had a similar experience with my 2022 718 GT4 on the track at Laguna recently. It started in one of the afternoon sessions - under hard braking like in the entries to turns 11 and 2, I felt physically blocked from shifting down to 2nd from 3rd. As soon as I exited the track, the downshifts started working again smoothly. I tried and just could not reproduce this behavior on the street.
To check the reverse gate theory, I deliberately tried to over extend towards the left, but there is a distinct click that you feel before it goes to reverse and I am very confident that I didn't get there on the track.
Once it stopped downshifting on the tracking, I was free rolling in neutral trying to downshift to 2nd, but it still wouldn't let me, so if it is due to the braking load, the effect lasts for a while..
07-03-2024, 08:58 PM
#30
Rennlist Member
Yes, it's happened before (at least 2 other threads on RL about this), and it's a driver issue not a car problem.
What's happening is that you're getting too enthusiastic bringing the gearshift lever over to the 1-2 channel and blowing through the reverse-block detent. At that point, you are in the reverse channel, and can't pull the lever back because there's no gear there.
If you don't believe me, try this: Sit in the car, move the shift lever to the left slowly and then into the reverse channel. That reverse-block seems very stiff, right? Now, move the shift lever all the way to the right and quickly move it left into the reverse channel -- if you do it "right", you'll blow right through the reverse-block like it isn't even there. That's what happened to you on the track.
Try shifting a little more gently and with your fingertips/wrist instead of your whole arm -- you'll be able to feel what you're doing better.
What's happening is that you're getting too enthusiastic bringing the gearshift lever over to the 1-2 channel and blowing through the reverse-block detent. At that point, you are in the reverse channel, and can't pull the lever back because there's no gear there.
If you don't believe me, try this: Sit in the car, move the shift lever to the left slowly and then into the reverse channel. That reverse-block seems very stiff, right? Now, move the shift lever all the way to the right and quickly move it left into the reverse channel -- if you do it "right", you'll blow right through the reverse-block like it isn't even there. That's what happened to you on the track.
Try shifting a little more gently and with your fingertips/wrist instead of your whole arm -- you'll be able to feel what you're doing better.