“First Gear Shift Not Available” Warning Chime (M/T)

[Biscuit]

Wow. How have we lived without for so long? Never heard of that kind of damage from people that know how to drive or I must be the luckiest guy.

Well, considering all the cautions prominently cited on pages 304-305 of the owner's manual . . .

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[Taxman]

I had a '98 VW Jetta VR6 that would display a "Shift" symbol telling me when to shift. I don't need to be told when to shift. I found it annoying and sold the Jetta shortly afterwards. I'll shift when I'd damn good and ready to shift! If I want to shove the transmission into first gear going 40mph and destroy the drivetrain, I should be allowed to.

 

[Sean L]

I had a '98 VW Jetta VR6 that would display a "Shift" symbol telling me when to shift. I don't need to be told when to shift. I found it annoying and sold the Jetta shortly afterwards. I'll shift when I'd damn good and ready to shift! If I want to shove the transmission into first gear going 40mph and destroy the drivetrain, I should be allowed to.

Virtually every manual transmission vehicle I've seen have had the shift light, to include the 1982 VW Quantum my dad drove, his 1990 Dodge Dakota, my 1992 Saturn, my 2000 Dodge Dakota, both Mustangs I've had... I just ignored them all.

 

[Taxman]

I’ve been driving nothing but manual transmissions since 1987 and never had one with a light or a chime except for the VW and now the JL. I wonder if you get a chime when trying to shift into reverse while moving forward at a certain speed. Anyone care to try?

 

[Sean L]

I’ve been driving nothing but manual transmissions since 1987 and never had one with a light or a chime except for the VW and now the JL. I wonder if you get a chime when trying to shift into reverse while moving forward at a certain speed. Anyone care to try?

Every one I've owned has had the light, but no chime. And even the Ram 2500 I test drove had the shift light.

 

[bam1111]

I have never encounter this either. I have over 7000 miles in my M/T JLUR. Then again, with the gearing on the Rubicon, I’m sure I haven’t tried to downshift to 2nd at that speed.

If memory serves me right, my YJ had a shift light and I agree, it was annoying and over time I learned to block it out.

 

[Taxman]

Every one I've owned has had the light, but no chime. And even the Ram 2500 I test drove had the shift light.

I never knew the Ram 2500 was even available with a manual tranny.

 

[Torero]

I’ve been driving nothing but manual transmissions since 1987 and never had one with a light or a chime except for the VW and now the JL. I wonder if you get a chime when trying to shift into reverse while moving forward at a certain speed. Anyone care to try?

By its nature of design no manual transmission will go into reverse at speed. Neither can you shift from 6 to 1 at 55 mph. It would be nice if you could when you run out of brakes, for example, no it wont go in because of the size of the pinnions involved and the speed they are moving at. The clutch disengages the engine but not the wheels. Really for all the experience people claim I am surprised at some of the comments. I was a teenager once, and I did tried all those things in all sort of cars. I was never able to brake a manual transmission. And once with my whole family run out brakes in Land Rover in the mountains in Costa Rica. Scariest moment of my life. I was in third gear, shifted down to second, which was still very fast, but knew better than to try to go into first. I knew for a fact 90% probability I would stay stuck in neutral. What I did instead was to rev the hell out of the engine and shifted to 4 Low. All four tires basically locked. I’ve been there and done that.

 

[JeepCares]

First post finally! I'm experiencing the same warning but I get it on up shifts as well from 2nd to 3rd above 32 mph which is really annoying!

Hi moto_mike,
We would be more than happy to offer our assistance in this should you choose to visit a dealer. Please feel free to send us private message with additional details if this is something that interests you.
Julie
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[Taxman]

By its nature of design no manual transmission will go into reverse at speed. Neither can you shift from 6 to 1 at 55 mph. It would be nice if you could when you run out of brakes, for example, no it wont go in because of the size of the pinnions involved and the speed they are moving at.

My comment was aimed at whether or not the Jeep would chime and give you a warning. I'm well aware of the physical limitations, which is why I find it odd that the Jeep feels it needs to chime at you when trying to force first gear going 50mph...

 

[Taxman]

We would be more than happy to offer our assistance in this should you choose to visit a dealer. Please feel free to send us private message with additional details if this is something that interests you.

Can this chime and warning be turned off by the dealer?

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Virtually every manual transmission vehicle I've seen have had the shift light, to include the 1982 VW Quantum my dad drove, his 1990 Dodge Dakota, my 1992 Saturn, my 2000 Dodge Dakota, both Mustangs I've had... I just ignored them all.

My 1998 Mustang 5 speed did not have any of this. My daily driver for 18 years.

 

[JeepU4IA]

I've noticed the warning on the screen but didn't notice any chime so not annoyed yet. Maybe I've been too busy dealing with the electronic start/stop feature.

 

[Lavey2750]

Mine does this too. Over 4K rpm in 2nd under acceleration the warning goes off. I discovered this today, just after break-in mileage ended. I would really like this disabled. I live in a very hilly area, the lack of low end grunt and a long third gear do not help.

On a side note does any other 6spd owners hear a chatter from what sounds like the shifter linkage? It is sporadic and more noticeable over bumps.

 

[Ruby Jack]

I had a '98 VW Jetta VR6 that would display a "Shift" symbol telling me when to shift. I don't need to be told when to shift. I found it annoying and sold the Jetta shortly afterwards. I'll shift when I'd damn good and ready to shift! If I want to shove the transmission into first gear going 40mph and destroy the drivetrain, I should be allowed to.

That is pretty dumb. If I wanted the car to decide when I shift, I'd get the automatic.

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