Ok here's the deal. My little sister has a 5 speed 2008 Cobalt LS. Has some mods but none (that I'm aware of) are done to the transmission. One day it would shift into a couple gears but not fully engage the others. For example, I would put it in 1st, start accelerating, shift, and 2nd wouldn't be there. Try for 3rd, nothing. I would get 4th. 5th wasn't there. I'd have reverse. I have no idea what this problem could be other than a slave cylinder/throw out bearing. I replaced her short throw shifter with a stock one and replaced her shift cables with brand new. Still nothing. The car will go through all the gears but when it comes time to actually drive, I have nothing. It almost feels as if something is blocking the linkages from engaging the clutch. Sitting still I can go through all the gears and move the car slightly. I'd get to reverse, try to move, it would engage and then slide right back out. I'm at a loss. I apologize if I'm not explaining this properly but I have no real explanation. If I have to I'll make a video and post it. Like I said it goes into gear, but only sometimes. The shifter feels rubbery, I guess would be the best way to explain it. Please help. Thanks guys

 

Cluuuutch

 

Possible shifter cable, shifter clamp issue. Just check the cables and make sure they're good.

 

that clamp could be busted or open, take out cup holder and look at them

 

He said he just replaced the cables.....

 

ah, my bad. well then id say possibly bad tob or clutch. if he not hearing trans noises of clunking, I'm sure its still in tact inside. I bought a project talon once, couldn't get it in gear after awhile, went under car while someone pushed the clutch, tranny was moving away from engine, the bolts had all backed out lol

 

There's no noises coming from the transmission. I checked all the clamps and the cables work. Nothing is broken externally that I'm aware of. It was working just fine. She came home and said it shifted differently than normal. Then the next day this happened. I can watch the linkages on the transmission move and I can move them by hand in and out of gear. It goes into gear when it wants to. It'll go in and when it does it doesn't slip or anything. But shifting to the next gear doesn't work because its like the next gear isn't even there

 

If u put it in a gear that isn't there while driving when it's off, press the clutch and start it, does that gear engage or no?

 

Broken roll pin?

 

Yes but you have to like, shift it in and out multiple times then it will engage

Where is the roll pin located and what does it do?

Another thought. Could it be no fluid in the transmission? Like the clutch master cylinder is dry?

 

Roll pin connects the linkage to the shaft coming out of the trans. I've seen them snap off on the F23 trans, fairly common. You'd have to see if it's actually turning the shaft in the trans when you move the shifter in the car.

If there's no fluid it would be the same in every gear really. But it's possible, check for leaks in the system. Look for fluid coming from under the trans to indicate a blown out TOB and check the fluid level in the brake reservoir to see if fluid is low.

 

I'll check the roll pin and see if it's broke, missing, etc. Although I'm starting to think that the synchros are gone

 

After looking it over I'm pretty sure the roll pin is broken. I picked up a new roll pin and am trying to put it on. I read the how-to on how to put it in but since it's an 08 it has a different roll pin location. Has anyone had any luck getting them out? Quick tips, tricks, etc? I can't really get in anywhere to pound it out. Since it's not an SS I'm assuming it has the F23 transmission and not the F35 so I'm at a loss here

 

Not too sure how to get it out with the trans in the car honestly, I tried in a local car and was unsucessful doing it in his driveway. I would suggest dropping the trans for access but that's a bit much. I assume if you heated the shaft with a torch the pin would be easier to drive out.