imported_2join performance

Hey guys. So today I finished the auto to manual swap. At least the swap portion of it. I guess now comes the troubleshooting phase. So here are my 3 problems:

1. My car won't start. The electronics work, as do all lights etc, but I can not start the engine. It doesn't even sound like its turning over. All I hear is a loud whining noise. I thought it might be something with the starter but its properly connected. Then I thought maybe its the distributor, but that seems properly hooked up. Could it be the fuel? I really do not know and maybe you guys can help me pin point and solve the problem.

2. The second problem is that the shifter itself feels extremely stiff. It takes quite the effort to put it through the gears, and in neutral it doesn't freely move from side to side. It feels like there is a center, and 2 gears on each side that you need to force the shifter into. Is this because the tranny has been sitting around for 6-8 months outside a car, or maybe the shift linkage is improperly hooked up? Have no clue on this as well.

3. Lastly, and this may not even be a problem, it may just be the way the clutch pedal works. But I notice the clutch pedal depresses really easily for about 5 cm, and after that you finally feel some pressure from the fluid. Is this how all clutch pedals are, or is it a flaw with mine, or a bad on my part?

Any help to the above is truly appreciated, especially since I'd like to finally get driving again in this nice weather. Thanks

imported_starboy869

OK.

1. Is the engine even turning over? Did you change out the ECU? I would assume the ECU is looking for the P or N position from the auto transmission.

2. I would hope you changed your transaxle fluid with Honda MTF. I would also say your shift linkage isn't hooked up correctly.
Also then again w/o seeing the car I can't say for sure.

3. Did you bleed the fluid in your clutch line?

From your questions in your post I think your in over your head in the auto to manual swap.

white92d15b7

what car are we talking about here the 99 el ?

I will agree with everything that starboy said first off sounds like you jumped into this without researching . . . you bit off more than you can chew, your soo hungry your eating the plate too !! and choked on it !!!!

1. the reason you might hear a loud whining is either the starter was not connected properly as in bolted to the motor, you didn't change the flywheel and the starter isn't grabbing anything, maybe you used the wrong bolts for the flywheel who knows there !!! did you put a manual flywheel in there with a clutch and pressure plate ?

2. my guess is you tightened all the bolts on the shifter itself tighter than a nuns **** . . there supposed to be lose to allow for movement

3. most likley there is air in your clutch line somewhere, or thats just actually how it feels, hydraulic clutches are simple to operate . . . as in easy to push , or maybe you didn't change the torque converter lol

also another reason for the not starting is you need to cross the automatic shifter lock wires, wether you change the ecu or not its part of the ignition system, so it doesn't start in gear . . . . it sounds like your plagued wit hproblems, and the major problem is finding a mechanics shop that will even tackle this problem if you can't fix it !

imported_2join performance

Ok, ok, lol, I will answer some of your questions.

1. To me it does not sound like the engine is turning over. It's just a loud screeching noise. And yes I did change out the ecu. The wiring was also done. The two thick black wires were hooked up to the top sensor so that the clutch has to be pushed in all the way when starting the car. I also wired the green and black wire to allow the keys to come out of the ignition. I left the cruise control unhooked because I dont use it. So is there a wire I missed? Because I thought I got them all.
I think the starter was connected properly because everything seemed to line up just right and all the wires are hooked up to it.
Yes I did put in a flywheel and clutch, and pressure plate and used the right bolts.

2. Yes I added Honda MTF. But I did Tighten those shift linkage bolts extra tight so that may be the problem. I'll try to loosen some up and maybe it will work a little better.

3. Yes, I bled the clutch lines, which leads me to believe this is how the pedal is supposed to feel.

Keep the suggestions coming, and I'll provide more info as needed.
Thanks for all the help

imported_2join performance

*****UPDATE******

I managed to start the car. I just kept cranking it and it finally turned over and started. Only problem is that there is white smoke coming out the exhaust, and through my headers. Since it's coming out where my headers are, does that mean I need a new gasket, or is it just not tight enough?
And my idle is **** but thats just the IACV.

imported_starboy869

Why don't you tighten down the bolts?

If you need a new gasket another one from CT is about $30 max

gooseshit

did u change ur intake maniolf to a 5spd? did u re-wire the iacv?

imported_2join performance

Ok that white smoke was just clutch fluid burning off the headers. I'm still getting some out the exhaust but not much.
As for the intake manifold, no, I did not change it yet. I plan to in the very near future. For now the idle isn't THAT bad. It fluctuates between 1400 and 1500.

Regarding the shifter issue, I have a feeling it just has to be worked in. The tranny has been sitting around for like 8 months. After running through the gears a few times, it seems to have gotten a little smoother. So hopefully after a little bit of driving it will be normal.

Capo

2. Does this happen with the engine running or is this just when sitting still without the engine running? It could be the tranny, the tranny could be mounted off-center, could have the improper shift linkage or you could not have the shift extension mounted correctly to the bottom of the chassis. Do you have pics of where the shift extension bushing mounts to the chassis inside the car?

3. The "issue" here is your pedal needs to be adjusted. If you look at the clutch pedal bracket inside the car you should see a sensor thats threaded on the end, basically you thread this in and out to adjust the height of the pedal at a rest. Should be very simple to adjust, its recommend to have a tiny bit of play (1/2"-1") before you actually feel pressure/resistance.

imported_2join performance

The shifter feels tight both when the car is running and when it is not. The shift linkage is the right one because it came from the same car, and im pretty sure the tranny is not off-center because everything lines up.
The shift extension is mounted slightly behind where the auto stuff was. I drilled a new set of holes where there were markings on the chassis for the manual shift linkage.
I have never driven a manual car so I do not know how hard it is supposed to be to shift, but I always though it was rather easy. For me it seems like I have to force it into the gears. Especially fifth, and 1st can sometimes be a bitch as well.
Oh and thanks for that tip on the clutch pedal. I will try that.

PS: The car is now running, poorly because of IACV, but its running. I took it for a drive in the underground garage, and it was fun. I didn't stall at all, and I didn't find it too hard to drive. However I was only in first gear because I couldn't reach sufficient speeds to switch to second, so I don't know how hard it is to shift while the car is driving. I'm assuming it would be just as hard though.

Thanks for all the help and input. If only I can get this shift linkage issue fixed, then the car will be good. Thanks again.

Capo

Did you use brand new bushings or a short shifter?