Ok let's start out by saying that me and this car are new together. That being said I'm not unfamiliar with cars and trucks and working on them. I have searched for similar issues and come up short. Basically my t5 hates 1st gear. I don't think it's the clutch because once I'm in gear I can clutch agan and go with no issues as well as start in second with no clutch slipping. I can down shift while moving into first no problem and no other gears have this issue.

I'm stumped, what should I start with?

 

This is somewhat normal with the T5 trans. When you start put it into any other forward gear first then into first. This should stop the grinding going into first.
If I remember correctly it is because first is not synchronized. Stepping on the clutch does not stop the input shaft from turning and so first grinds. The other gears are synchronized and so when you shift into one of them no grinding. The shaft stops and so now you can shift into first before you release the clutch and no grinding.
Hope this helps.

 

First gear is syncronized. I didn't completely understand what you are having a problem with, but I'll assume that it grinds when you try to put it in 1st and you are sitting still. You may have a damaged blocker ring or your clutch might not be disengaging completely. I've had many T5 transmission in many types of cars and trucks and the only time I've had a problem with one going into gear is when the blocker ring was damaged or when the clutch was not working properly.

 

Yes, it grinds when I try and put it in 1st I have tried the synchro trick ( a different gear first) to no avail. I have to punch it into first, it acts like it can't reach

 

Probably a damaged blocker ring or the shift fork could be bent. The shift fork can be replaced by removing the top cover. The blocker ring requires a complete disassembly. I've had to replace a lot of these blocker rings in the NWC and WC T5s. They don't like being abused.

 

So would a bent fork or blocker ring keep me out of only 1st or would it affect any other gear? From nutrile I can shift to 2nd or 3rd and start rolling?
My probmel is isolated to 1st

 

Thank You for correcting me.

 

A damaged blocker ring will only cause a problem for that gear. Each gear has it's own blocker ring. The shift fork is shared between 2 gears. 1st and 2nd use one fork, 3rd and 4th use one fork. 5th and reverse have their own fork, but are on the same limkage. The fork has plastic clips on it that are there to prevent wear on the fork. If these clips are damaged it could also cause problems. It's going to be hard to figure this out until you get the transmission apart.

 

Pull it and inspect the forks at the main shift rail at this point.

Fork pads usually show up across a pair of gears that use the same fork (1-2 or 3-4) At this point, it will be a pretty cheap rebuild as far as parts go if everything else is working well.

 

I have the exact same issue with my T5 not wanting to engage or not fully engaging into first gear. It will fully engage maybe only one out of 8 times. As a result I have to start out in second gear the majority of the time. What was involved in repairing the problem with your trans?