23 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHStiff shift from 2nd to 3rd - how to diagnose?
Reported repair
Replace just
Reported resolution
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report a fix
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported fix
I had just changed out the gearbox oil to OEM Porsche and problem solved.
Leading evidence: 'Replace just' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'b&m ssk installed by the po' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace just' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Replace just', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
Installed Numeric Racing shifter and adjusted cables, the issue is still present.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Installed Numeric Racing shifter and adjusted cables, the issue is still present.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
b&m ssk installed by the po
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
23 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 1 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T174436Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I briefly test drove a 996 I'm considering buying and noticed it had a very stiff shift from 2nd to 3rd, at least when cold - not sure it continued when warm. I'll soon have a chance for a longer test drive. Anyone have any suggestions about tests I can do during the test drive to determine the cause of this?
(If I don't the cause, I'll of course have a PPI done before buying. But if it's a serious problem it would be best to know sooner, and walk away before wasting money on a PPI.)
Thanks for any help with this!
Actually a common problem. Search "2nd" or "3rd Gear Pop Out" and you will get all kinds of info. There is a fix for it so if you are buying from a Dealer, make the repair (gear indent) part of the deal. Good luck!
The wrong fluid (non OEM Porsche) will cause poor shifting characteristics, especially when cold. No matter what BS you read, nothing shifts as good as the OEM fluid. Faulty clutch parts and trans sync problems can cause issues too. Make sure the PPI covers checking the trans fluid condition and magnet.
As Gonzo said, 2nd gear pop-out is a well known issue. An easy fix if its not too late (detent kit).
I searched, and I don't think this is it. It sounds like "pop out" is mainly a problem going into 2nd, whether from 1st or 3rd, and that the shift lever pops back to neutral as soon as the driver releases it - in other words that the lever goes (almost) to the 2nd position, but the gear never engages.
What I remember with this car is simply that the shift action from 2nd to 3rd is very stiff, and not just at the end, as the lever reaches 3rd. It takes a lot of force to go from the 2nd position to the 3rd position, and I seem to remember this includes while passing through the neutral position.
Any other ideas what this could be, and more importantly at this point, how to diagnose it?
Thanks!!!
Without the experience first hand everything is guess work. Personally, if I thought there was even a possibility that a car had a transmission issue, I'd keep shopping. If a synchro is going repair won't be inexpensive so if you truly want this car, negotiate appropriately and get whatever agreement you arrive at in writing, good luck.
2nd to 3rd gear pop out is different from 2nd to 3rd gear hard switch
Almost all 996 are hard to switch from 2nd to 3rd when cold
I have had this on mine for 4 years now, nothing wrong just be patient and wait 10 minute for it to hear up and it will switch like nothing when hot
The pop out problem is a totally different problem , other will chime on to confirm if I am wrong
It takes at least 15 minutes and some steady driving AFTER the engine reaches operating temperature for the gearbox to warm up. Shifting will be stiff until the gearbox and gearbox oil is completely warmed up. Take the car for a longer drive and see if the shifting becomes smoother. Could be nothing wrong at all, just that you are not used to "cold shifting".
mine shifted stiffly when car was cold and going from 2nd to 3rd sometimes a mystery shift as 3rd was hard to get. I replaced shifter w/ 997 model and shifts are much smoother and no misses from 2nd to 3rd anymore. Still sluggish going into 1st when cold. Also, the 997 version shorter shift which makes the shifts smoother.
A combination of things mentioned above may be contributing to the 2nd to 3rd gear exchange. Fresh transmission fluid should make shifting smoother and with less effort, regardless of being OEM or not, warming the transmission from a cold start(especially in cold weather), and verifying the shifting cables are adjusted properly and even inquiring whether there is a short shift kit installed. Does the shifting in the other gears feel okay, has the clutch been replaced?
Thanks everyone, for the quick and helpful advice!
I test drove it again. When cold, just after starting the engine, the 2nd to 3rd shift is tough. Most of the difficulty comes as the shift lever nears 3rd. It quickly gets better as the engine warms up, though without getting to the point where each and every shift feels perfect. And yes, it has the Porsche short shifter kit, which probably exaggerates the difficulty, without causing it. So it seems this is not a reason to walk away before doing a PPI ...
To substantiate this post, I am living proof of the pop out due to incorrect gear oil.
I had purchased my 996 two months back. I know the IMS/RMS and all sorts of goodies were replaced. To my horror, the shop used Redline gear oil in the gearbox. The result? Second gear pop out and sometimes 3rd when cold. These symptoms were also exhibited on my M3.
I had just changed out the gearbox oil to OEM Porsche and problem solved.
didnt you watch the Wheeler Dealer episode where they did that to a boxster? poor bastard that sold the car thought the tranny was toast and was selling it as a part car....good old ed changed up the tranny oil and voila!
Hi Mr. Barn! The motor is back in but working thru some things. Looks like I have a injector that is boogered up. Keeps on fouling a plug. Parts came in a few days ago but I have traveling this past week with plans on tackling it tomorrow....this has been a long process and Jake has been providing the knowledge all the way..... Today is the inaugural Indy GP so I'm heading to the track with my buddy in Ferd's old car. The sound of that car is just magic. I hope to have the car sorted soon because the month of May in Indianapolis is special and I really want to be tooling around in a pcar not a rusted up Dodge Ram.
My C4S had the exact shifting issues that you describe, and after changing fluids, checking cables, etc., it turned out that the culprit was the B&M SSK installed by the PO.
I have since changed out the SSK with an OEM 997 GT3 shifter, and now it shifts like butter into all gears, hot or cold. Highly recommended.
I had the same issue, replaced fluid with OEM, and still had the issue. Installed Numeric Racing shifter and adjusted cables, the issue is still present.
OK, OK, to cover all bases;
996 to 997 shifter = vast improvement
crap fluid to OEM = vast improvement
gbox detent kit = vast improvement
And SP, not to thread HJ but I hope you will be posting some more pics and/or video of this new beast in action!
Just need to sort things out. The heads were machined a little to provide more snappy snap. Test drive showed a more little power. I look forward to when she is running at 100%.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
