3rd gear is no longer present - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

neon_guy · 12-30-2008, 09:55 AM

So, I've known that my 3rd gear wasn't planning on hanging around for the duration of my ownership, and it finally went about a week ago. I can put the vehicle into 3rd gear but it will not stay in 3rd. I called Vincent Mazda to see if they could fix it and they gave me the whole run-around about how it could be a million things and they'd have to keep the car for a few days and blah blah blah blah. After growing tired of going back and forth with them, I found out what a reman tranny would cost. So, is there any cheaper way to go about this or is the new tranny the best way. I probably won't do that just cuz I don't really NEED 3rd gear, but if there's an easier way to fix it (read cheaper) I may be open to it. Any help is MUCH appreciated.

edit: oops. I just realized I put this in the wrong section. Mods, feel free to move it. My bad. I was writing kinda quick cuz I'm at "work".

jd42 · 12-30-2008, 11:16 AM

Paying a dealership to tear down and rebuild a transmission is going to cost and arm and a leg in labor. (I know, I had that done with an Audi transmission.) Transmission internals are pretty tricky to get just right, and chances are you'll never be perfectly satisfied with the results afterwards, either.

I suggest you do some hard searching to see if you can find a lightly used or rebuilt transmission for a reasonable price. The labor to swap out a gearbox will be a lot less than tearing into the internals. Plus, if you get a rebuilt unit, you may be able to swap yours for a core charge and reduce your cost.

I don't know if there are any good aftermarket transmission options for the Mazda6, but that is another route you could explore.

Good luck!

Mazda Gremlyn · 12-30-2008, 05:41 PM

If you're at all mechanically inclined you can either replace the tranny yourself or take it apart and replace just 3rd gear, but the transmissions in the 6 are horrible to get to, and I think I would pay someone else to do it just based on that. As has been said, provided that the shifter cables are still nice intact, there really isn't much else it could be. Is there any grinding noise when going into or it coming out of 3rd?

neon_guy · 12-30-2008, 05:56 PM

No sir. I think I know what it is. I doubt I'll replace it just because I don't feel like putting the money into it. I still have 1,2,4,5 & R. Really, I only NEED 2nd, 4th, and Reverse. So, as long as those are in tact, I'll probably just ride it as is.

Mazda Gremlyn · 12-30-2008, 08:42 PM

Just be careful, if one gear went others may follow as you don't know WHY that gear went in the first place. You don't want to be driving along and lose an 'important' gear.

neon_guy · 12-31-2008, 09:47 AM

Yeah. I've been taking it easy for quite some time now. I know 3rd gear was not going to last probably last summer some time. It's been kinda sloppy and loose since late 07. When the car is no longer driveable, I'll either get a 300C or a G35. In THAT scenario, I'll probably just hold on to the Mazda and fix the tranny should I decide I want to spend 1500 for a "winter beater". It'd be, HANDS DOWN, the best "winter beater" I've ever owned at that point. So, we'll see what happens.

Dre2068 · 02-10-2009, 10:02 PM

I had the same problem except mine was 5th then 3rd now 1st... SON OF A B%$#@. Car is currently in the shop. i should find out what’s wrong with it tomorrow. I’m mentally preparing myself to be raped with no lube or dinner afterwards. I hate car mechanics that make stuff up!!

MicaBlackMS6 · 02-10-2009, 10:21 PM

Do you have the 6i or 6s. Here is a trans for $400 from a 6s.
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?showtopic=108951

neon_guy · 02-11-2009, 09:11 AM

I don't have 5th gear anymore either. I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on fixing it right now though. I know I'm not selling it any time soon, but I don't know if I really want to pay to fix it. I'll check out that tranny tho.

12-30-2008, 09:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
neon_guy Drivers License Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	So, I've known that my 3rd gear wasn't planning on hanging around for the duration of my ownership, and it finally went about a week ago. I can put the vehicle into 3rd gear but it will not stay in 3rd. I called Vincent Mazda to see if they could fix it and they gave me the whole run-around about how it could be a million things and they'd have to keep the car for a few days and blah blah blah blah. After growing tired of going back and forth with them, I found out what a reman tranny would cost. So, is there any cheaper way to go about this or is the new tranny the best way. I probably won't do that just cuz I don't really NEED 3rd gear, but if there's an easier way to fix it (read cheaper) I may be open to it. Any help is MUCH appreciated. edit: oops. I just realized I put this in the wrong section. Mods, feel free to move it. My bad. I was writing kinda quick cuz I'm at "work". __________________ Pssssssft!!!! Zoom Zoom BOOM!!!! Yeah. That's about right.

12-30-2008, 11:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
jd42 Rally Racer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bangor, Maine Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Paying a dealership to tear down and rebuild a transmission is going to cost and arm and a leg in labor. (I know, I had that done with an Audi transmission.) Transmission internals are pretty tricky to get just right, and chances are you'll never be perfectly satisfied with the results afterwards, either. I suggest you do some hard searching to see if you can find a lightly used or rebuilt transmission for a reasonable price. The labor to swap out a gearbox will be a lot less than tearing into the internals. Plus, if you get a rebuilt unit, you may be able to swap yours for a core charge and reduce your cost. I don't know if there are any good aftermarket transmission options for the Mazda6, but that is another route you could explore. Good luck! __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed6 GT -- Black Cherry Mica, White/Black Interior, Moonroof, Compass/Auto-Dim Mirror, Satin Aluminum Fuel Door Glow-Shift Boost & Oil Temp. Gauges -- AEM Wideband UEGO Controller -- Slyfex AuxMod -- Denso ITV22 Spark Plugs -- CX-7 Antenna -- Redline Tuning QuickLIFT Mazdaspeed RX-8 Shift Knob -- TWM Short-Throw Shifter -- Speedie6 Turbo Inlet -- CP-E/HKS BPV Kit -- CP-E XCel Intake -- CP-E Turbo-Back Exhaust Car Chemistry Insert -- CP-E Engine & Rear Diff. Mounts -- Turbine Tech Diff. Mount -- Techna-Fit Brake Lines -- StopTech Slotted Rotors -- EBC Redstuff Brake Pads SPC Adj. Ball Joints -- RPM K-Spec Lowering Springs -- KONI Sport Adj. Shocks -- Rota SubZero Wheels -- Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Tires<span style="color:#2E8B57">"AWD Driving: This vehicle has not been designed for the purpose of off-road driving or rallies. Do not attempt to drive over uneven or rocky surfaces, or across rivers."</span>

12-30-2008, 05:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mazda Gremlyn Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,194 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	If you're at all mechanically inclined you can either replace the tranny yourself or take it apart and replace just 3rd gear, but the transmissions in the 6 are horrible to get to, and I think I would pay someone else to do it just based on that. As has been said, provided that the shifter cables are still nice intact, there really isn't much else it could be. Is there any grinding noise when going into or it coming out of 3rd? __________________ 2004 Mazda6s MTX: Injen/CP-E Tunable, Espelier Lowering Springs, Racing Beat Sway Bars, 6gunrocket endlinks 1988 323 GTX: It LIVES!!

12-30-2008, 05:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
neon_guy Drivers License Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	No sir. I think I know what it is. I doubt I'll replace it just because I don't feel like putting the money into it. I still have 1,2,4,5 & R. Really, I only NEED 2nd, 4th, and Reverse. So, as long as those are in tact, I'll probably just ride it as is. __________________ Pssssssft!!!! Zoom Zoom BOOM!!!! Yeah. That's about right.

12-30-2008, 08:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mazda Gremlyn Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,194 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Just be careful, if one gear went others may follow as you don't know WHY that gear went in the first place. You don't want to be driving along and lose an 'important' gear. __________________ 2004 Mazda6s MTX: Injen/CP-E Tunable, Espelier Lowering Springs, Racing Beat Sway Bars, 6gunrocket endlinks 1988 323 GTX: It LIVES!!

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12-31-2008, 09:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
neon_guy Drivers License Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Yeah. I've been taking it easy for quite some time now. I know 3rd gear was not going to last probably last summer some time. It's been kinda sloppy and loose since late 07. When the car is no longer driveable, I'll either get a 300C or a G35. In THAT scenario, I'll probably just hold on to the Mazda and fix the tranny should I decide I want to spend 1500 for a "winter beater". It'd be, HANDS DOWN, the best "winter beater" I've ever owned at that point. So, we'll see what happens. __________________ Pssssssft!!!! Zoom Zoom BOOM!!!! Yeah. That's about right.

02-10-2009, 10:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dre2068 Learners License Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I had the same problem except mine was 5th then 3rd now 1st... SON OF A B%$#@. Car is currently in the shop. i should find out what’s wrong with it tomorrow. I’m mentally preparing myself to be raped with no lube or dinner afterwards. I hate car mechanics that make stuff up!!

02-11-2009, 09:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
neon_guy Drivers License Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 80 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	I don't have 5th gear anymore either. I'm not sure if I want to spend the money on fixing it right now though. I know I'm not selling it any time soon, but I don't know if I really want to pay to fix it. I'll check out that tranny tho. __________________ Pssssssft!!!! Zoom Zoom BOOM!!!! Yeah. That's about right.