6-speed MT dropped out of gear and won't shift back

[laborsmith]

He can't because the dealer has it.

PatsyG why can the dealer keep the car and not provide alternate transportation?

Laborsmith

 

[SmoothSonic]

He can't because the dealer has it.

PatsyG why can the dealer keep the car and not provide alternate transportation?

Laborsmith

That's a good question. I wonder if PatsyG has a good answer. It's as though my ability to have transportation has been confiscated.

I had a live online chat with someone at chevrolet.com. At the end of the chat she wrote:
I can notify the dealership customer experience manager about this issue and have them reach out to you about it. The CEM works as a sort of liaison between yourself, the dealership and GM directly, placing them in the absolute best position to assist you. With your permission, we can have them reach out to you, via phone, within 24-48 business hours in order to discuss everything in greater detail, along any currently available options to help you get this issue resolved.

But then I had to rush out for an appointment and I didn't have time to provide my contact info. So, I can try the chat again tomorrow.

 

[SmoothSonic]

If you have a hydraulic clutch release mechanism, failure of the clutch to release could be because of air trapped in the hydraulic system, or low fluid level in the clutch master cylinder reservoir (if the car has one). Some cars have clutch master cylinders without fluid reservoirs and use the fluid from the brake master cylinder.

If the above is the problem, the fix is easy. Adding the fluid and/or bleeding the system to eliminate the air pockets.

There is another possibility. Some clutch master or slave cylinders develop internal seal leakage due to faulty seals or improper assembly of components. In this case you will not notice any leaks, but the clutch will not release fully bcuase pressurized brake fluid will flow past the defective seal and not enough pressure will develop in the system to fully release the clutch.

OK, so if this were the case would it prevent the ability to shift gears when the engine is off?

 

[jgrote]

No. A good, quick test to see if the transmission and shifter linkage is fine is to shift it with the engine off. If that works, but it won't shift with the engine running, it is probably a clutch issue. That being said, that diagnosis does not fit with the fact that the car popped out of gear while in motion. That sounds more like an internal transmission issue.

***my gut feeling***

Your clutch master or slave cylinder died. The fact that it popped out of gear is a red haring. I bet the clutch and transmission are still okay. My reasoning behind this is that clutches don't disintegrate while just driving along.

 

[mitdr774]

A clutch going WILL NOT cause the shifter to kick out of gear. AN internal fault in the trans will cause that though. I have had this happen before in other cars. End result was a failed synchro. Engine off it would go into gear just fine. Depending on how the synchro failed it would either kick out on acceleration or decceleration. As soon as the parts were placed under a load it would kick out of gear. Im not saying that is what is going on here, but it is a possibility.

Clutches can fail while going down the road with the clutch applied. So can flywheels. Neither crumbled but the clutch had a small part failure that allowed it to loose the spline to the input shaft, and the hub in a flywheel ripped loose. Different vehicles, but it happens

 

[SmoothSonic]

Thanks for the info mitdr774. This problem occurred on acceleration

 

[Z71]

OK, so if this were the case would it prevent the ability to shift gears when the engine is off?

Yes, It does not mater whether the engine is running or not. If the clutch does not release due to a problem in the hydraulic circuit, you will not be able to shift gears.

 

[SmoothSonic]

Z71, I can shift into gear when the engine is off, but not when it is on.

 

[SmoothSonic]

Good news. Well, sort of.
The tech has started inspecting my car. He looked at the external parts and is now in the process of removing the transmission for further inspection. At least it's progress.

 

[SmoothSonic]

About the loaner issue.
They didn't call me to give any news. So, I took the next step in this matter. I had a live chat with a Chevrolet.com agent regarding the loaner situation saying that it's been 9 days since the car was towed to the dealership and they've since dismantled my car. I asked if there is anything GM can do to help. She went ahead and directly contacted the dealership CEM and he told her that he will call me tomorrow. She is also sending a followup email to them and that there is now an open case on this. I really haven't gotten anywhere, but I guess you can say it's baby steps.

Maybe I'll finally learn about what the problem is with my transmission. The suspense is killing me. :blankface:

 

[Natesriv]

agreed!

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

About the loaner issue.
They didn't call me to give any news. So, I took the next step in this matter. I had a live chat with a Chevrolet.com agent regarding the loaner situation saying that it's been 9 days since the car was towed to the dealership and they've since dismantled my car. I asked if there is anything GM can do to help. She went ahead and directly contacted the dealership CEM and he told her that he will call me tomorrow. She is also sending a followup email to them and that there is now an open case on this. I really haven't gotten anywhere, but I guess you can say it's baby steps.

Maybe I'll finally learn about what the problem is with my transmission. The suspense is killing me. :blankface:

Hey SmoothSonic,

I would be more than happy to look further into your case. I know a lot of different factors can come into play regarding alternative transportation. However, feel free to send me a private message along with your case number. I look forward to your updates!

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[SmoothSonic]

Well, the dealership CEM (customer experience manager) didn't call today. I call this a bad experience for a customer. I predicted that he wouldn't (or lie to the Chevrolet agent saying that he would). I'll call him tomorrow. Whenever my car is fixed, I hope that I will never ever return to Scarsdale, NY where the dealership is located. I hope I can get that loaner car that the CEM said would be available. I'm still clueless as to what is the prognosis of my transmission. I think I'll go hit the gym to work this out of me.

 

[Natesriv]

it's possible you'll get a phone call from GM after your car has been fixed giving you a survey on your service I would not hesitate to give that dealership very bad marks. supposedly this gives GM the option to not pay the dealership for the work done based on the bad grade

 

[SmoothSonic]

At this rate they would sway my opinion about them if they give me a Corvette Z06 as a loaner for a few weeks while they fix my car.

 

[ChicksHateMe]

Well, the dealership CEM (customer experience manager) didn't call today. I call this a bad experience for a customer. I predicted that he wouldn't (or lie to the Chevrolet agent saying that he would). I'll call him tomorrow. Whenever my car is fixed, I hope that I will never ever return to Scarsdale, NY where the dealership is located. I hope I can get that loaner car that the CEM said would be available. I'm still clueless as to what is the prognosis of my transmission. I think I'll go hit the gym to work this out of me.

I feel your pain. I dealt with a HORRIBLE Dealer's Service Dept (Salvadore) for over 4 months on two issues. I called and wrote but I didn't get any help from Chevy Customer Service during the hard times, especially after I mentioned the word "Lemon". Never was sent a survey, even though they thought the problems were fixed.

I FINALLY went to another dealer farther away who did have great service. I was a little bummed they did not offer loaners, but they did fix my issues first time (Colonial-West, and they have a 5 Star rating on line).

AFTER it's all fixed, for real, THAT'S when Chevy Customer Service calls and wanted to check with me and have me do a survey. I doubt they will ask again.

I hope you can find a Competent Service Dept at a GOOD Dealership, even if it is a bit of a drive. It changed me back from a hater to a happy Sonic Owner again. Just went back today for an oil change and check-up. A little expensive, but I trust them and don't mind paying a little more for REAL professional service.

Good Luck. Hope it works out soon!!!

 

[SmoothSonic]

Update:
I called the dealership today. The CEM said that the car had a bad master cylinder and the part arrives today. He said it should be installed Monday. Why couldn't they tell me this on Tuesday when they dismantled the car??? Certainly they're terrible with communications. I'll give them a bad grade on that part. And the stalling techniques to prevent me from acquiring the use of a loaner.

I'm happy that it's a warranty repair and that it will be ready on Monday, but I'm still unsatisfied by the way I was handled in this mess.

 

[SmoothSonic]

I forgot to mention that the CEM said that the master cylinder was leaking fluid. So I guess it dropped so low that the car's fail-safe is to lock the gear shift into neutral so that the brakes can still function?

 

[SmoothSonic]

I hope you can find a Competent Service Dept at a GOOD Dealership, even if it is a bit of a drive. It changed me back from a hater to a happy Sonic Owner again.

I look forward to be a happy Sonic owner again in a few days.

 

[SmoothSonic]

I went to the dealership today because on Friday, the CEM said that the car will be ready this Monday afternoon. I showed up at 3:45PM and was told that the transmission guy didn't replace the part. They have the new part though. So, immediately they said a rental car was on it's way over for me. The rental car s*cks. the gas mileage is horrible because it's a Kia. I asked to speak with the CEM and he couldn't talk to me, because he was on the phone and he stayed on the phone for the 45 minutes that I was there. I asked when my car will be ready and I was told tomorrow, but the next day at the latest. They keep telling me this!!! I'm so frustrated and irritated by this. So, I said to the guy "OK, then I'll stop by tomorrow". He then said, "why bother? you'll have a rental". ???

Doesn't it only take only about an hour to replace a master cylinder?