Won't shift into 5th gear

[TBrianWhite]

The second problem I have had with my '01 S2000 came suddenly @ 19360 miles. While driving to work, the car would not shift into 5th gear at all or only with great reluctance. The dealer found a bulletin describing corrosion around some spacer plate under the stick shift housing. The replaced the plate and added some weather proofing. This fixed the problem but it seems to still be tougher to get into 5th than the rest.
This is my second post. Both have been about my car's particular problems. I share the info only to help others with similar issues. I love my car and have had no other significant issues other than its syncro trans won't let you short shift more than one gear. Oh well. I don't plan to ever get rid of the car, just add it to the collection as it grows.

[absoluthonda]

odd both of your problems have been with your tranmission, have you had your car parked in sitting water or possibly snow?

[TBrianWhite]

The car is garage kept (both at home and at work) here in Texas. I took delivery of the car new and within a week of it getting to America. I usually drive my truck when it rains. So I can't imagine that weather is related.

[foolio]

You shouldn't skip gears (eg 3 -> 6) unless you double clutch. There is too much rotational speed difference in the layshaft between the high and low gears and could be very hard on your synchros. "Woodwork", a honda engineer that reads s2ki.com, has a detailed explanation of this issue on that site (I'll link it here when I find it.)

Do you skip gears on the upshift to 5th frequently? Perhaps your synchros are worn?
hope this helps.

[fsures]

If you have not changed the transmission fluid, go the a GM dealer and get their Synchromesh manual trans fluid. It can make quite a difference in shifting force.

[TBrianWhite]

I read the same S2KI link you are refering to after a few grinds. Although I do catch myself tring it every once and a while especially after driving other cars where it is not such an issue. I have had synthetics placed for all fluids and the gears are fine - had dealer check. I only only mentioned it as a personal issue with my style of driving.

[TBrianWhite]

I forgot one reply. My upshifts were from 3rd to 6th such as when accererating onto the freeway then wanting to settle into a crusing gear or when I just flat out miss 4th and hit 6th. I acually used 5th the least of all. Now I just hit all the gears when getting up to 6th as I hate that grinding noise plus it also makes me look like an idiot.