# 2004 Mazda 3 NOT SHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR TRANNY PROBLEM? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mazda3, mazda\ **Created:** [December 19, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465 "2016-12-19T21:05:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/1 "2016-12-19T21:05:26Z")
Ok I know its not a huge problem when i have 4 other gears and my car is still drivable, but when i want to break the law on the highway and drive 80-120 mph on the highway i cant because i find myself not being able to switch to 5th or 6th gear since my mazda is a 6speed. Not big of a deal right now but im just scared for future problems from my transmission to the point where i have to replace it which will probably cost me more than the car is worth. So can anybody tell me if its a problem with the tranny or is it because im lacking transmission fluid or do i ultimately have to get it replaced or can i fix it now to prevent it happening in the future? Please somebody help because i don’t want to be driving one day and finding myself not being able to shift out of first gear ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/2 "2016-12-19T21:30:14Z")
Not a transmission problem. Some well meaning friend or relative stole 5th and 6th gear in the dark of night because they did not want you driving 120 MPH on the same highways they use. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/3 "2016-12-19T21:36:33Z")
Linkage adjustment or low transmission fluid would be my guess. And stop driving like an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/4 "2016-12-19T22:08:20Z")
If this is a standard transmission (stick shift) then it’s more than likely a maladjusted linkage. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/5 "2016-12-19T22:12:03Z")
You may have broken the shift linkage to the 5-6 gate. Or it may be adjustment. Have the linkage checked. Broken internally means, tranny’s gotta come out. And apart. It ain’t gonna be cheap. You might look for a used 6 speed just in case, might be cheaper than a rebuild. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/6 "2016-12-19T22:18:50Z")
My car is tiptronic or semi automatic so basically you can choose to drive manually without a clutch pedal with your gear stick or you can choose to drive automatically on either one i cant shift to 5th or 6th gear but when i drive with automatic the car usually shifts to 5th gear when im going about 60 mph and im basically getting no acceleration when im on 5th gear so i usually drive manually so i can control the cars acceleration better. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/7 "2016-12-19T22:19:52Z")
So what im hearing from you guys it might be a linkage problem, the question is can i fix it myself or will i have to bring it to mechanic to get overcharged. And i appreciate the concern for my style of driving guys 😛 ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/8 "2016-12-19T22:20:32Z")
You know i just might believe you my friends would do something like that lmao ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/9 "2016-12-19T22:24:00Z")
> [@nybaby30](#): > > the question is can i fix it myself We have no idea regarding the level of your mechanical aptitude. What types of things have you successfully repaired in the past? Do you have the knowledge, the equipment, and the work space necessary to disconnect the transmission and drop it if that turns out to be necessary? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/10 "2016-12-19T22:24:23Z")
If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, you might want to have someone plug a scanner in and have them monitor what the computer is seeing for coolant temperature. The computer is programmed not to allow the transmission to shift into higher gears until the coolant reaches a certain temperature. This allows the engine to warm up faster thereby reducing emissions. So if for example the thermostat is stuck open, or the coolant temp sensor for the computer is faulty where the computer doesn’t think the coolant ever reaches the proper temperature, the computer won’t shift the transmission into the higher gears. Tester ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/11 "2016-12-19T22:28:37Z")
If it comes to me having to take my transmission out… no i do not have the necessary requirements but i have repaired my fuel pump myself before by removing the back seats and going through long grueling processes of following steps to replacing it i have had some experience and i usually do routine maitenence on the car myself; oil change, spark plugs, battery, alternator. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/12 "2016-12-19T22:33:42Z")
Ok i can see where youre coming from because i had a problem with my coolant sensor not reading coolant temperatures right but i had recently fixed that and had issues with my fuel pump which led to me replacing it but if the repair on this car is going to cost me more than $1000 than the car is worthless to me. The car already has pretty noticeble exterior damage and the cars current value is not going to be worth repairing to me. My car has also had a lot of coolant problems. 3 times i had problems with the coolant the one i mentioned before and i had one where my generator belt (belt that connects to everything power steering, alternator, water pump) broke off and then the coolant put so much pressure in the coolant tank to where it cracked it open and had to get the coolant replaced, and another one where i had leak in a coolant pipe ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/13 "2016-12-19T22:35:10Z")
Well, all of that is a good sign, but you should bear in mind that many–perhaps most–professional mechanics prefer to leave transmission problems to the trans specialists. 😔 ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/15 "2016-12-19T22:42:46Z")
Your probably right but you know a mechanic will charge me a arm and a leg for anything that has to do with taking out a cars transmission… ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/16 "2016-12-19T23:03:57Z")
A couple things: The 2004 Mazda 3 could not be had with a 6 speed automatic. That didn’t happen until 2012. The 2003 could be had with a 4 speed automatic. It won’t shift into 5th, because there is no 5th gear. ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/17 "2016-12-19T23:21:43Z")
Lmao thats a lie because my moms boyfriend had the same car and his car obviously hits 6th gear. And bro my cars been in the family for 12 years now so i think i would know… So for the Mazda3 Gear Ratios, MT AT 1st 3.31:1 2.82:1 2nd 1.84:1 1.50:1 3rd 1.31:1 1.00:1 4th 0.97:1 0.73:1 5th 0.76:1 NA Final drive 4.11:1 3.68:1 ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/18 "2016-12-19T23:24:22Z")
Those are the ratios for the 5 speed manual on the left, and the AT on the right. Per your own evidence, the automatic transmission (AT) has 4 forward gears. Like I was saying… ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/19 "2016-12-19T23:26:12Z")
gtfo bro no but are you sure that goes for tiptronic… i swear ima die in tears if i find out my car doesnt have a 5th and 6th gear x( ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/20 "2016-12-19T23:28:56Z")
Remember, the lockup of the torque converter feels like a “shift.” ---
**Author:** ![nybaby30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybaby30/32/6122_2.png) [@nybaby30](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nybaby30)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465/21 "2016-12-19T23:29:07Z")
but on 4th gear my car probably only can get to 100 mph most likely redlining the engine when it obviously says on the dashboard my car can top out at 140 mph [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-mazda-3-not-shifting-into-5th-gear-tranny-problem/97465.md?page=2)