I have a 99 Ford Explorer Sport with a tempermental clutch. Sometimes it will go into first gear. Sometimes it won't. I've tried double clutching, i've tried depressing the clutch several times and it still won't engage in first gear. But if I cut the engine, put the car into first gear, then start the engine, it will be fine for awhile before it starts to act up. But sometimes the car works fine all day. It seems to act up most when I'm in stop and go traffic. I took it to a shop and they said the clutch was fine. Someone told me it could be something to do with synchros and it could be a transmission problem rather than a clutch problem. Can anyone shed some light on this? Anyone...anyone... TIA, Jenn

When the clutch is acting up, can you get into second & third?   On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 01:02:04 -0000 "j_manela" <

No problem getting into the other gears. It seems like first gear is the only dud.

Jen - Clutch not releasing problems should show up in ALL gears, The only exception that comes to mind would be a slightly stiff pilot bearing that had enough resistance to turn 1st, but not other gears. This could happen if the bearing were dry (you should hear noise, especially if you rev engine with clutch released and in gear) or if it has wrong or hardened lubricant.   Sounds like a trans problem. As it is cheap, - worth  trying a  change of trans lubricant. I would go for a synthetic. This might get you some more life. George   On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 16:40:35 -0000 "j_manela" <

Hello Jen When you put it in first gear as you are saying do you you have a very hard time ? If you are then you need work done on the transmission because the synchrosnizers for first gear are gone. If you decied to have the work done to dod the repair a good rule of thumb is to have the clutch replaced since the trans is out. I have had this happen to my Ranger back in the late 80's. Art