98 Jeep Wrangler pops out of first gear??

[callbay]

My son has a 98 Wrangler 5 speed manual that we bought new and now has 107,000 on it. It will not stay in first gear so we have to start in second.

We have changee the trans fluid and have tried 85-90 and the thicker ?-140. Synthetic and dino. Nothing helps?

Any thoughts?

 

[Zaedock]

You could pull the shift tower and check for wear in the plastic knob that fits in the slide. If there is excessive wear, it may not engage 1st all the way.

Sounds more like an internal issue though. Synchro or gear retaining clip. That would require transmission removal and tear down.

AX15's aren't incredibly hard to work on. Just have a good manual, a gear puller, and access to a 20+ ton press.

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

My bmw was doing the same thing...not all the time but only randomly. Many suggested it was also an internal issue. I also had issues with sometimes getting INTO first gear as well

After changing the 23 year old clutch, slave, release bearing etc. the problem has disappeared

 

[Dartlover]

Dead On Zaedock,a good Father/Son project for those who enjoy
turning a wrench togather,very good advice.