2018 JLU difficult to get into first gear.

[Rogue321]

I've seen a few comments here and there on the subject, but nothing definitive.

Shop it's in is suggesting it is the clutch, which I'm not convinced of, but even worse said, "it's getting close to time to replace the clutch". That doesn't sit very well with me. 64k miles

Symptoms.....come to a stop leave the clutch pedal depressed, it'll go in and out of 1st gear easily. Release the pedal and depress again and it's often difficult to get into 1st. Sometimes it won't go and I pull the shifter back a bit and then it'll go. I haven't noticed any issues getting into reverse.

No grinding, no clunking, no issues with any other gears. No difference cold or hot. I bought it at 32k miles or so and 64k on it now. It's always done this but has gotten a little worse over time.

I've read a few comments suggesting the clutch may not be completely disengaging, but that would seem to difficult to get into first in all circumstances and I would think I would feel that when it finally slips into gear. Maybe not though.

Just getting some opinions and hopefully someone that has experienced this and corrected it can chime in.

Thanks

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[58Willys]

If the clutch is worn out, then it disengage fine, just not engage well. Possible your clutch hydraulics need bleeding. If 1st is your only problem, then your synchros may be worn.

 

[Rogue321]

If the clutch is worn out, then it disengage fine, just not engage well. Possible your clutch hydraulics need bleeding. If 1st is your only problem, then your synchros may be worn.

I don't feel any other issue with it. It doesn't slip under hard acceleration. Once I was in the snow and I thought the clutch may have slipped, but I have experienced that since so I think the tires were spinning really easily.

Only going into first, and only after I've released the clutch pedal when stopped. When I come to a stop, if I keep the pedal depressed (which I seldom do), it'll slide in and out of first with ease. Once released and depressed again, it's difficult to get into. No problem with reverse I don't recall going into any other gear from a stop. I'll try that when I get it back.

 

[Maverick909]

Bad synchros. Have a shop Ford ranger with the same Problem. Even with the new clutch. My suggestion get the synchro replaced and swap to a center force clutch. All your problems will be solved. I plan on changing my Clutch to setup to center force soon as it starts to fail. Currently no issues and 32k on my 18 jlu

 

[Rogue321]

Bad synchros. Have a shop Ford ranger with the same Problem. Even with the new clutch. My suggestion get the synchro replaced and swap to a center force clutch. All your problems will be solved. I plan on changing my Clutch to setup to center force soon as it starts to fail. Currently no issues and 32k on my 18 jlu

Seems the shop it's at now is aiming for a clutch replacement as the solution which the extended warranty most likely won't cover. I'll probably have to pick it up and take it to a transmission shop, because I don't feel it's a clutch problem.

 

[fdFifty]

I would try bleeding the clutch hydraulics well to make sure it there isn’t air/contamination in there causing it to short stroke when the pedal is fully depressed.

If that doesn’t remedy the issue then it could be a bad/damaged synchro. However, if the synchro is damaged, I’d say it’s highly likely that it happened because the clutch wasn’t fully disengaging. In that instance the bleed procedure is still important to perform.

It’s kind of a tricky and time consuming process but I found a method that seemed to work well. I’d be happy to write it up step by step if you’d want to tackle it yourself.

 

[Rogue321]

I would try bleeding the clutch hydraulics well to make sure it there isn’t air/contamination in there causing it to short stroke when the pedal is fully depressed.

If that doesn’t remedy the issue then it could be a bad/damaged synchro. However, if the synchro is damaged, I’d say it’s highly likely that it happened because the clutch wasn’t fully disengaging. In that instance the bleed procedure is still important to perform.

It’s kind of a tricky and time consuming process but I found a method that seemed to work well. I’d be happy to write it up step by step if you’d want to tackle it yourself.

Hold off on a write until I know more about what the shop says, but I may do this.

That said, if there was an issue that the clutch wasn't completely disengaging (for whatever reason), wouldn't the issue still be present when coming to a stop when the clutch pedal is still depressed? It only becomes difficult to get into 1st is after I've come to a stop and released the pedal.

 

[fdFifty]

Hold off on a write until I know more about what the shop says, but I may do this.

That said, if there was an issue that the clutch wasn't completely disengaging (for whatever reason), wouldn't the issue still be present when coming to a stop when the clutch pedal is still depressed? It only becomes difficult to get into 1st is after I've come to a stop and released the pedal.

My issues were often intermittent just as you describe. Can only speculate as to why, but the bleed would usually help. My guess is that the synchro is either able to hold on until you go neutral with full clutch out or the air gets displaced/moves around in a way that makes the short stroke condition intermittent.

 

[Rogue321]

My issues were often intermittent just as you describe. Can only speculate as to why, but the bleed would usually help. My guess is that the synchro is either able to hold on until you go neutral with full clutch out or the air gets displaced/moves around in a way that makes the short stroke condition intermittent.

I've got the Jeep back and did some tests. Clutch pedal depressed, it is tricky to get in 1st, once in 1st it easily goes in and out as long as pedal is depressed.

Same conditions, 3rd is a little bit catchy, but goes in fairly easy. But once it does go into 1st, 3rd is glassy smooth. The rest are fine.

I feel like it's something internal. I didn't get a chance to talk with the service advisor but from the online update it looks like they want to replace the clutch and slave cylinder. Of course, if this doesn't fix it, they aren't going to pay for it. So that's a problem.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Once in 1st gear, if you floor it and it's not slipping I highly doubt it needs to be replaced. The synchros are going out in my Dakota's T56 and it feels notchy going in to 2nd and 3rd but if I am at the right speed and rpm it's silky smooth, that's kind of how I know it's the synchros. Hopefully an extended warranty would cover this but usually not applicable to the clutch.

For my scenario (clutch replacement), it would not go in to gear because one of the pucks on the clutch came loose and got wedged between another good puck area and the pressure plate. But I could not go in to any gear.

 

[fdFifty]

I've got the Jeep back and did some tests. Clutch pedal depressed, it is tricky to get in 1st, once in 1st it easily goes in and out as long as pedal is depressed.

Same conditions, 3rd is a little bit catchy, but goes in fairly easy. But once it does go into 1st, 3rd is glassy smooth. The rest are fine.

I feel like it's something internal. I didn't get a chance to talk with the service advisor but from the online update it looks like they want to replace the clutch and slave cylinder. Of course, if this doesn't fix it, they aren't going to pay for it. So that's a problem.

Possibly have them look into shift linkage adjustment as well. It’s another tricky thing to get right but could cause issues like this. Being cable driven you’d have to assume for some “cable stretch” or cable guide seating to happen over time.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

Possibly have them look into shift linkage adjustment as well. It’s another tricky thing to get right but could cause issues like this. Being cable driven you’d have to assume for some “cable stretch” or cable guide seating to happen over time.

I've had some trans issues but the cable stretch and guide thing.. might be something to that.

 

[Mest]

I’m only 300 miles into my 3.6 MT on factory 4.88. I’ve been noticing that both 1st & 2nd can be tough to shift into or out of at times. I actually got kicked out of what I thought was second once because I didn’t apply enough force into the shift and ended up just kicking back into N while I was trying to pull away from a light. 3-6 are always smooth as butter and enjoyable, but both 1&2 can feel notchy for me.

If I sit in a parking lot and just press the clutch and move in and out of 2nd a few times it becomes silky smooth but while driving the issue returns.

 

[huskay]

Hello,
I am facing similar issue if someone can help me. When I am in dead stop, depress clutch, 1st, 3rd, 5th and R cant go in directly, 2nd 4th and 6th would go but not soo smooth. Never the less, if I try two times putting it into 1st, it would go into 1st gear the 2nd time.

Also what I noticed, the clutch doesnt seem to be disengaging quickly once I depress clutch, I noticed wheels spin for a sec. Also what is weird, If I depress the clutch wait for like 3 seconds, I can go into first gear smoothly.

Any idea where to look at??

 

[OrneryBear]

Hello,
I am facing similar issue if someone can help me. When I am in dead stop, depress clutch, 1st, 3rd, 5th and R cant go in directly, 2nd 4th and 6th would go but not soo smooth. Never the less, if I try two times putting it into 1st, it would go into 1st gear the 2nd time.

Also what I noticed, the clutch doesnt seem to be disengaging quickly once I depress clutch, I noticed wheels spin for a sec. Also what is weird, If I depress the clutch wait for like 3 seconds, I can go into first gear smoothly.

Any idea where to look at??

Your clutch could have dropped a spring and it's lodging itself somewhere it shouldn't. I've had it happen on a couple vehicles.

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