No 5th Gear in Ecotec Atom 2

[Porschekid]

Hello everyone, I just purchased a 2006 Atom 2 with the Ecotec engine. Unfortunately, my first post is an issue that I’m having with the car. I can’t seem to get the shifter into 5th gear when sitting still with the engine off or while running at speed. I’m hoping that this is a common issue and not warranting a transmission rebuild or anything crazy. Gears 1-4 and Reverse are perfectly fine and the car is running in tip-top shape otherwise. If this isn’t a common issue, what would my best bet be for troubleshooting?

I did a search and came across the following thread which sounds like it may relate in some way but wasn’t really helpful. http://www.atomclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,10499.msg205077.html#msg205077

[NormLarson]

Yes the stock fifth gear is a bit hard to find.  There is no detent for it and I always had issues finding it when i wanted too.  I am one of two that had a detent added and both of ours were done when we had the Quaife six speed added.  "Pete" never did create a kit for it either.  More than happy to give you his phone number if you PM me

[Porschekid]

Thanks for the quick reply! Should I be able to find it while parked with the engine off? I don't want to force it and break anything but I also don't want to drive down the highway at 6k rpm's. Any tips to get it in there?

[NormLarson]

You have four gated and one mystery.  The mystery is half way between the gated 3-4 and the end where you would go downward for reverse.  It is there and does not want to be forced just ease it in and you will get used to it.

[Porschekid]

So it sounds to me like instead of going over to the right and up for 5th, that I should just go from neutral to the right and it should slide into 5th. Just above Reverse but not as high as would feel natural? It feels like there is an area for it up there in the normal position but nothing grabs.

[NormLarson]

reverse is still to the right of fifth because my sixth has room to exist

[Porschekid]

Ok, I played with it in my garage and think that I found it. Didn't take it on the road yet. I made this diagram which I think explains it. Might help people in the future...

[NormLarson]

That's it!!!  You should print that for the dash

[Porschekid]

Haha, not a bad idea Norm... Might get a decal made. Thanks for the help!

[Monza]

[Terry Kennedy]

[quote="Porschekid"]
Ok, I played with it in my garage and think that I found it. Didn't take it on the road yet. I made this diagram which I think explains it. Might help people in the future...[/quote]
It is actually weirder than that:

[img width=516 height=768]http://www.tmk.com/transient/ecotec-shifter.jpg[/img]

This is because it is a Honda shifter mounted 180 degrees from the way Honda intended it, shifting a GM engine.

[NormLarson]

I wanted to see what a shift pattern would look like embossed into my shifter, so, I choose Terry's pattern.