My mother has a 90 accord manual 2.2 liter DX, she started to have problems shifting gears, finally downshifted from 5 to 3rd, forcing it in to 3rd. it started to make a grinding howling noise. I finally got the shifter in to what seems to be neutral but when you release the clutch it acts as if its still in 3rd. the clutch seems to be working fine, the linkage moves freely. Anybody have any ideas? Your input is very appreciated.

 

You can rule out broken shift linkage or cables by external inspection. Then maybe you're looking at a broken shift fork ??

 

A howling noise is common to hear from a throw-out bearing going bad which can help snap a shift fork....

 

Well gentlemen, I do appreciate the advice and I'm going to follow through inspecting your suggestions and I'll let you know how things turn out. I was leaning toward the throwout bearing being the problem before thet broken shift fork so, it sounds great to me.

 

I've only ever seen a broken shift fork once, and that was a 1981 chevy citation with 90W gear lube in it instead of ATF.... I suppose either way if you can rule out linkages and cables then you'll have to crack open the tranny. Take some pictures and let us know how it goes.

 

A seized synchro can be just like one gear (3rd?) is always engaged. When you're in neutral, it's like being in 3rd. If you shift into any other gear, it's like 2 gears engaged together at the same time, so it all locks up.

Happened to my brother due to lack of oil... When he took the tranny apart the baulk ring was seized onto the cone of the synchro hub.