hard shift 1-2, 4-cyl

[alvarezg]

What would cause the ATX in a '94 4-cyl MX3 to slam into 2nd even when the car is driven gently? The 2-3 shift is not too bad. The transmission is practically new, installed by the dealer about 20k miles ago (don't ask about the cost!)

Gene

[Reprobation14]

I've got a 94 rs auto too.... 1-2 gears are also hard... from what i've heard there is a way you can adjust it... but it doesn't really help it too much.. i've also heard that for the most part... the car just behaves that way... oh well!

hope i helped you!

-Chris

[hondah8er13]

i've got a 92' rs and it does the same thing. I have a rebuilt transmission. and i just did a fluid change and put some lucas transmission treatment in there and it helped but not really. sometimes i don't even feel it shift though and sometimes it gives me wiplash, i know it is not any of my mounts cause i just changed them.

[guyaverage]

This is a slightly edited cut and paste from a thread a few months back but it applies here:

There are two cables that go onto the throttle body "wheel", the one we are talking about is the top one. There are two bolts (I think), you loosen them slightly then move the cable toward the passenger side to firm up the shift or toward the driver side to soften the shift, then tighten the bolt(s). Make small adjustments, dont go any tighter than necessary (to avoid harsh shifts) or any looser than necessary (to avoid overly soft shifts). I believe Mazda has a formal method for adjusting the cable that involves checking hydraulic line pressures and other tidbits to make sure it is set where they want it, so as always do this 'at your own risk' however I did this to mine YEARS ago to soften up my 1 to 2 shift and I suffered no problems, and I have 142,000 miles on mine now and its fine.

Editing to add, I also have a tranny cooler, which I highly recommend you (actually EVERYONE with an automatic) get also to avoid future problems.

[alvarezg]

Thanks, I did the adjustment and the shift is now smooth. The dealer installed this transmission (charged boatloads of $$) and didn't adjust it right.

Gene

[seneca]

Does this apply to the GS as well???