Miata transmission issue

If you mean you need to double clutch, it's probably time to rebuild or replace the clutch slave cylinder. Double clutching will pump it up enough to use, temporarily, but soon even that won't work any longer, and you'll have trouble getting into first from a stop. It's an easy job, and the part is not expensive.

double clutch, it's probably time to rebuild or

And that could only affect the 3rd to 2nd shift and none of the rest going down or up?

No, but it might affect that one first, since second gear synchros are probably the ones with the most wear.

Trust me, this is a common issue, and your symptoms are the typical first sign of a failing slave cylinder. To check, peel back the slave boot and look for leaking fluid--careful, it will probably gush out.

Or you could top off the clutch fluid every day like I've been doing for a week or so, pending getting it fixed.

Did you check the hydraulic reservoir for the clutch? If its low or empty, your slave cyl ($40) and possibly clutch master ($60/70) need replacement. The slave goes all the time, the master, less so, but its so cheap & easy to replace (like, 15 min w/o bleeding for the master..the slave longer because its harder to get to..leave a 1/2 hr for that one...bleeding time not included.) Just did the both, after I was unable to shift into 1st. Hardest part by far was bleeding the system..get a helper (or two..one to keep eye on the reservoir)..but by no means difficult.

Now, thats the easy stuff you can do in your driveway, that will need to be done sooner or later. Check the clutch pedal adjustment, too, just to be sure. If none of that improves things, then you may actually have a problem with the trans. But do the above first, as the slave cyls fail like clockwork.

It looked to me like the speed bleeder I bought for my cycles would fit the clutch slave fitting - it's like a bleed screw with a check ball valve in it. Makes bleeding a one-person job.

miker

This just got even stranger. As I left work yesterday, I checked the clutch fluid level and everything looks great. So I was thinking I would take it to the local dealer and have them diagnose it and maybe set up an appointment to fix it. As I drove away towards their establishment, I immediately noticed that the issue had completely gone away! No more shifting problems. It didn't work on Saturday, didn't work on the way to work on Monday morning and then worked fine Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Does this help to explain what the issue might be or have been?

Michael - confused in Oregon

Where in Oregon? How cold has it been overnight where you are? Could some moisture have accumulated in the clutch hydraulic system and frozen over night or, if it's not freezing, maybe some crap blocked the system?

It can't hurt to bleed it and see what the fluid looks like, I'd start there, it's easy and a can of fluid is cheap, all you need is a helper to work the clutch and keep an eye on level in the reservoir.

I am in Beaverton. I doubt this was/is the issue because the car is always garaged except when at work. The first time it did it was after being parked outside for 2 hours last Saturday morning. If this doesn't come back right away, I will have a mechanic I work with flush the clutch fluid.

It was plenty cold enough to freeze something then, wasn't it?

It can't hurt and may fix the problem.

Redline MTL Synthetic lube works. It slows the synchros and has a stable viscosity!