Problems with 2nd gear in my '03 -- dealer finally repro'd

I've posted a few times before about the problem I'm having with 2nd gear in my '03 996: - sporadically, it feels like I'm pulling the lever through "gravel" when trying to get into 2nd gear, and it won't go fully into gear. Pulling the lever out and re-entering 2nd usually solves the problem, and - even less frequently (a few times a year), the gear lever will pop out of 2nd while I'm releasing the clutch. - Problem seems worse when cold. Has anyone else had a similar problem? If so, resolution? The dealer has tried to repro this a couple times before with no luck. I finally got tired enough of the problem to drop it off in the evening so it could sit and cool overnight. That appears to have done the trick. They are now conversing with Porsche about how to proceed, which sounds somewhat ominous. My guess is it's either a new gearbox, or they will try to crack it open and fix it (service advisor told me they're able to do this now). I'll keep y'all posted. Oh, the car has 15k miles on it, but it's been doing this since new. Scott.

When I picked up my '03 new, there was a stack of wooden crates containing tansmissions for 996's. A comment was passed to me along the lines of 'if your car jumps out of 2nd you get one of those, let us know'

Just got the authorization for a new transmission. Should be here in a day or so. I suppose I might as well have them do the short-shifter while they are in there

I hate to ask, but what's a new transmission typically cost, including labor? Thanks.

I'd like to know as well. I'll ask the guys at the dealership and let you know. My WAG: $10k+

Yikes! I hope you're not a good guesser...

mine is going in for this as well - 2nd from dead cold is like a rock - plus it "clips" when pulling into gear on occasion (again cold) changed the tranny fluid at the last service and still having problems luckly mine is covered under an aftermarket warrenty so it should be reasonable to replace if porsche does not cover it

Typical US prices are way lower than UK prices. I just had my gearbox fitted with a new one. Porsche gave me 50% good-will claim and the cost to me was �2700 fitted. So thats �5400 = approx $10,000 but US price would probably cost about $7000. One thing, when I was over in CA last year I popped into the Porsche dealer in Menlo Park and asked the service manager about replacement gearbox costs. He said that he would do a core swap for $4000 all in.

Rob, looks like Barrier is doing a good tranny business this week. There was an '02+ 996 cab on the lift this afternoon with the transmission dropped...

My 04 Targa (early build) had the problem popping out of second gear (right after I got it new). They replaced the tranny under warranty. I heard there was a bad batch of synchros from a supplier that caused the problem, and that it was mainly in 03 996's, but obviously it hit early 04's as well.

Well, the tranny was replaced on Friday and I picked it up Saturday morning. The pattern feels subtly different, but the 2nd gear grind/pop is definitely gone. I hated to see my car get torn apart like that, but I suppose it will save me (hopefully) from an expensive gearbox replacement later on. FWIW, I saw some part costs on another sheet, and the part for the tranny appeared to be $11.5k. That's probably retail, and doesn't take into account the value of the core (returned tranny). Either way, not cheap.

CupCar! I hope your after market is NOT HERITAGE I'm trying to get mine covered also. First everything was looking good and then they found a way to pin it on "Lack of Lube" The shop even verified B4 the tear down that it was FULL and had metal in the box. Good luck to you and FWIW: ANY ONE that has a HERITAGE POLICY You had better get ready for a lot of deception and onesided stories. Glad to see the DEALER actually does stand behind their cars. Congrats on the new trans.

There was a service bulletin/recall for a batch of 2002 996s due to 2nd gear poping out. Based on my VIN number, my 2002 C2 was not affected, yet after experiencing the problem and taking my car to the dealer, I ended up with a "new" tranny (i.e., remanufactured). I had no problems since. It cost about $10k but was covered under warranty.

my carrera gt does this too when cold but porsche has told me the usual "it's normal".

I'm sorry to hear that. Can you get us a price quote on a replacement CGT tranny? My guesses are: a) it's more than a new 996, and b) that it's probably very easily rebuildable (i.e. you wouldn't have to replace the whole thing)

Are you kidding me? For the price of that car I would drive it through the showroom window if they handed me that BS.

i'm used to the "it's normal" partyline by now. this time they did have a good point (i think) in that if it were the syncros or something it should do it all the time rather than just when cold.

Well, my 2004 C4S Cab doesn't do that, and I've had my car out when it was -14 degrees. What is it about the transmission of CGT that would cause that? I would want Porsche to give me a credible explanation for that behavior... sometimes they can be frustrating to deal with. BTW, how many miles do you have on your CGT now?

cold tranny fluid. i've got a couple thousand on it now. unfortunately we've had such stupid rain (over 20" vs. the avg 6" and sub 2" last year) it's spent far too much time in the garage. all the mountain roads are muddy, sandy, and flooded in spots from the mudslides. they're very dangerous right now IMO.

Ben, Nice to hear you have a couple of thousand miles on that car. Man after my own heart... I never baby my Porsche's. Well, maybe it takes the CGT time to warm to operating temp. I never push my 911 until it's 180 degrees and I feel the tranny loosen up, but it never popped out of gear. I hope you don't have any real issues with that car, it gives the rest of hope that they are actually building high quality machines. Rob

mine only does it when dead cold - after it has some (any) heat it's fine. still it will go in for a check and we will see what happens from there. the warrently Co. is Warrenty by Net - they seem to be good overall (info from PO) we'll see. I also need to get the seat memory controls fixed.