Gridding Noise-3rd to second Gear- High RPM's - LotusTalk

Avi · 02-09-2006, 06:17 PM

Took the elise for a spin through the canyons yesterday, and started noticing a sound that is simlar to changing gears without the cluch fully engaged. Its happening when downshifting at higher rpm's from 3rd to 2nd gear. I have an appointment in the morning with South BAy but wanted to see if anyone else has had this problem. I am thinking it's a transmission issue, but what would cause it. It goes into gear, but as soon as i shift at higher rpm's screech, just like grinding the gears? I dont think the dealer works on transmissions, would Lotus just put a new one in? Anyone ever hear of this happening?

Seabiscuit · 02-09-2006, 06:41 PM

Sounds like a bad syncro to me. I would get it into the dealer. They most likely would replace the syncro if that is the cause. May want to check the tranny fluid as well. How many miles on the car????

Avi · 02-09-2006, 07:14 PM

I have about 4600 miles on her... could it be the gear box?
Could I have caused any damage due to the grinding?

Stan · 02-09-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avi

I have about 4600 miles on her... could it be the gear box?
Could I have caused any damage due to the grinding?

The box is probably just fine. If the linkage is okay (can you get the slots normally with the car stopped?) then I suspect a clutch issue. Perhaps the clutch is not disengaging fully. This tends to affect the up and downshifts and each gear differently. Can you get reverse and 1st easily when stopped? I'd make sure the clutch master and slave are up to snuff first of all.

mlk_f1 · 02-09-2006, 08:43 PM

Yep, I get that only when the car is hot. The grinding noise only happens when I downshift to Third or Second gear. It doesn't happen all the time but enough to bother me. And no, It doesn't only happen when I'm speed shifting. It happens on slow shifting with the clutch fully depress too. My guess is the shift linkage. I'm taking it to the dealer on Monday to have it check out.

Seabiscuit · 02-09-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan

The box is probably just fine. If the linkage is okay (can you get the slots normally with the car stopped?) then I suspect a clutch issue. Perhaps the clutch is not disengaging fully. This tends to affect the up and downshifts and each gear differently. Can you get reverse and 1st easily when stopped? I'd make sure the clutch master and slave are up to snuff first of all.

I would be shocked if it was a syncro with that low mileage. Stan may be correct. The clutch could be the problem. You probably haven't hurt the car. Just double clutch on the downshifts till you take it in.

Avi · 02-09-2006, 10:38 PM

The car is shifting normal all other times, including being stopped, and reverse, its just down shifting at high rpm's from third to second that is the problem

mlk_f1 · 02-09-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seabiscuit

I would be shocked if it was a syncro with that low mileage. Stan may be correct. The clutch could be the problem. You probably haven't hurt the car. Just double clutch on the downshifts till you take it in.

I forgot to mention. I did do double clutch downshifting when the problem occurs to test it. It still grinds.

shinoo · 02-10-2006, 06:29 AM

I suspect it is the tranny cables. The cross-gate cable may need some adjustment.

Avi · 02-10-2006, 10:02 AM

Ok, so i went to South Bay this morning for service. They took a drive with me and think it's a syncro issue. They did an ecu dump, and now have to contact a few Lotus folks before determining what they are going to do. Most likely they will install a new transmission.

Surferjer · 02-15-2006, 09:29 AM

Any update on this?

Varien · 02-15-2006, 12:40 PM

An entirely new transmission?! Wow . . . did they figure out what it was first? Brand new transmission seems a bit extreme if it was something like a synchro or a clutch issue, so I'm assuming something bad happened . . . I've been having a similar issue with 3rd gear on my car . . .

Avi · 02-18-2006, 02:30 AM

No word yet from Lotus. I spoke with the dealer yesterday, and they told me they should know this week. I agree that a new transmission is a little extreme, but hey if it fixes my issue.....

Hopefully I can have the "new" improved stage 2 installed at the same time. My stage 2 has had issues for months now, and after multiple repairs it still rattlesl. Oh yeah Lotus can fix a bad rattle from the dash (where the window vin # is), and my soft top is falling apart.

I do have to say with all the issues i have been having the service has been amazing. South Bay has been really an awesome/impressive dealer to deal with. Also when I had my star shield replaced for yellowing, the SS people were awesome to. Overall a very good experience getting stuff fixed. I did buy the extended warranty with the car, as it may be very helpful in the future to have!

Avi · 03-16-2006, 11:07 PM

Still no word from Lotus on my issue. All I know is that someone else at my dealer has the same issue, but with only 2500 miles on their car. For my troubles of not being able to drive my car fully, for over a month, should I request my new Tranny with Traction Control, and or a lsd? I track every 2-3 months, but for fun. I would not mind a little piece of mind with traction control for driving in the wet? Does the traction control come with a new tranny, and is there much cost difference? Should I ask for it, and the lsd? Do I even need lsd?
Thanks for your input, as I am getting fustrated with the amount of time Lotus is taking to fix my problem. I also still have a F'd up stage2, a bad rattling noise coming from where my dash meets the windshield, and a soft top with one of the rails detaching from the canvas. I love my car, love the dealership, and service so far has been amazing.. until now? What should I do?

Surferjer · 03-16-2006, 11:16 PM

Dollar-wise that's a big upgrade, and they're not even available as a retrofit yet. You can ask but you'll never get it.

I thought the LSD was a big enough deal to buy another car!

Avi · 04-12-2006, 05:53 PM

Just got word from South Bay that my new transmission has arrived and they will be installing it next week aalong with a brand new Stage 2... If anyone has a similar problem report it immediately and ask for a new tranmission. The syncros will only get worse with time and grinding. There is one other case in the LA area where Lotus is also replacing this persons transmission. Oh yeah the cost for a tranny in our cars is 6000.00.. I saw the tranny paper work!

EburgE · 04-12-2006, 06:20 PM

Can I have the old part?!?

turbo2nr · 04-12-2006, 06:41 PM

man, you beat me to it.

(A few trannys out of 2000 go boom does not mean much on a sports car. No need to set off an alarm.

Now the subaru wrx....that's a real POS tranny. I have plenty of broken parts from stock cars around central VA. 1 out of 2 wrx cars will have tranny failure within 30,000 or so.

Surferjer · 04-12-2006, 06:48 PM

My guess is Lotus or Toyota will want the old tranny to study.

ConeFusion · 04-12-2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avi

Oh yeah the cost for a tranny in our cars is 6000.00..

Does that include labor for installing it? Otherwise Lotus has a pretty nice markup on the Toyota part.

02-09-2006, 06:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Avi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 129	Gridding Noise-3rd to second Gear- High RPM's Took the elise for a spin through the canyons yesterday, and started noticing a sound that is simlar to changing gears without the cluch fully engaged. Its happening when downshifting at higher rpm's from 3rd to 2nd gear. I have an appointment in the morning with South BAy but wanted to see if anyone else has had this problem. I am thinking it's a transmission issue, but what would cause it. It goes into gear, but as soon as i shift at higher rpm's screech, just like grinding the gears? I dont think the dealer works on transmissions, would Lotus just put a new one in? Anyone ever hear of this happening?

02-09-2006, 06:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Seabiscuit Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sacramento Posts: 943	Sounds like a bad syncro to me. I would get it into the dealer. They most likely would replace the syncro if that is the cause. May want to check the tranny fluid as well. How many miles on the car???? __________________ ______________ Greg

02-10-2006, 06:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
shinoo Project Nirvana Elise Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 2,640	I suspect it is the tranny cables. The cross-gate cable may need some adjustment. __________________ shinoo sector 111 - tasty bits for your elise & exige

02-15-2006, 09:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,954	Any update on this? __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

03-16-2006, 11:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
Avi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 129	Still no word from Lotus on my issue. All I know is that someone else at my dealer has the same issue, but with only 2500 miles on their car. For my troubles of not being able to drive my car fully, for over a month, should I request my new Tranny with Traction Control, and or a lsd? I track every 2-3 months, but for fun. I would not mind a little piece of mind with traction control for driving in the wet? Does the traction control come with a new tranny, and is there much cost difference? Should I ask for it, and the lsd? Do I even need lsd? Thanks for your input, as I am getting fustrated with the amount of time Lotus is taking to fix my problem. I also still have a F'd up stage2, a bad rattling noise coming from where my dash meets the windshield, and a soft top with one of the rails detaching from the canvas. I love my car, love the dealership, and service so far has been amazing.. until now? What should I do? __________________ The Worlds Most Elite Designers www.GNAH.com

02-09-2006, 07:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Avi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 129	I have about 4600 miles on her... could it be the gear box? Could I have caused any damage due to the grinding?

02-09-2006, 08:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
mlk_f1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 697 Images: 11	Yep, I get that only when the car is hot. The grinding noise only happens when I downshift to Third or Second gear. It doesn't happen all the time but enough to bother me. And no, It doesn't only happen when I'm speed shifting. It happens on slow shifting with the clutch fully depress too. My guess is the shift linkage. I'm taking it to the dealer on Monday to have it check out.

02-09-2006, 10:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Avi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 129	The car is shifting normal all other times, including being stopped, and reverse, its just down shifting at high rpm's from third to second that is the problem

02-10-2006, 10:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
Avi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 129	Ok, so i went to South Bay this morning for service. They took a drive with me and think it's a syncro issue. They did an ecu dump, and now have to contact a few Lotus folks before determining what they are going to do. Most likely they will install a new transmission.

02-15-2006, 12:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
Varien Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coral Springs. FL Posts: 143	An entirely new transmission?! Wow . . . did they figure out what it was first? Brand new transmission seems a bit extreme if it was something like a synchro or a clutch issue, so I'm assuming something bad happened . . . I've been having a similar issue with 3rd gear on my car . . .

02-18-2006, 02:30 AM	#13 (permalink)
Avi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 129	No word yet from Lotus. I spoke with the dealer yesterday, and they told me they should know this week. I agree that a new transmission is a little extreme, but hey if it fixes my issue..... Hopefully I can have the "new" improved stage 2 installed at the same time. My stage 2 has had issues for months now, and after multiple repairs it still rattlesl. Oh yeah Lotus can fix a bad rattle from the dash (where the window vin # is), and my soft top is falling apart. I do have to say with all the issues i have been having the service has been amazing. South Bay has been really an awesome/impressive dealer to deal with. Also when I had my star shield replaced for yellowing, the SS people were awesome to. Overall a very good experience getting stuff fixed. I did buy the extended warranty with the car, as it may be very helpful in the future to have!

03-16-2006, 11:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,954	Dollar-wise that's a big upgrade, and they're not even available as a retrofit yet. You can ask but you'll never get it. I thought the LSD was a big enough deal to buy another car! __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)

04-12-2006, 05:53 PM	#16 (permalink)
Avi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 129	Just got word from South Bay that my new transmission has arrived and they will be installing it next week aalong with a brand new Stage 2... If anyone has a similar problem report it immediately and ask for a new tranmission. The syncros will only get worse with time and grinding. There is one other case in the LA area where Lotus is also replacing this persons transmission. Oh yeah the cost for a tranny in our cars is 6000.00.. I saw the tranny paper work! __________________ The Worlds Most Elite Designers www.GNAH.com

04-12-2006, 06:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
EburgE Super 7 Owner In Training Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Eldersburg, MD Posts: 2,416	Can I have the old part?!? __________________ '05 Lotus Elise '07 Caterham Seven www.hals7.com

04-12-2006, 06:41 PM	#18 (permalink)
turbo2nr loading... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: mecca lecca chony hoe Posts: 943	man, you beat me to it. (A few trannys out of 2000 go boom does not mean much on a sports car. No need to set off an alarm. Now the subaru wrx....that's a real POS tranny. I have plenty of broken parts from stock cars around central VA. 1 out of 2 wrx cars will have tranny failure within 30,000 or so. __________________ Boom Boom, shakka-lakka BOOM Last edited by turbo2nr : 04-12-2006 at 06:45 PM.

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04-12-2006, 06:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
Surferjer No more cone damage! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exton, PA Posts: 8,954	My guess is Lotus or Toyota will want the old tranny to study. __________________ Jer-2005 Elise (retired from autox) 1993 MR2 autox car 2002 Ford Excursion DIESEL 4 X 4 1993 Miata (throwout bearing or clutch failure) 1987 Toyota Corolla FX16 Lemons car (needs new head) 1984 Chevy Citation Lemons car (needs a motor)