Mitsubishi Repair: shifting problems, eagle talon esi, clutch master

Question
I was told that a 95 eclipse is the same as a 95 eagle talon. My talon is shifting hard and sometimes not shifting, unless I pull over and turn the engine off and re-start it, and after a few times it runs smooth. I had my tranny rebuilt just last year and it came out of the shop doing the same thing mechanic dissappeared. Anyways I just took it in to my companies mechanic he sent it to a tranny shop and they said it wasn't the tranny it was 2 sensors goin bad or were already bad. So the other mechanic has it and now he's saying that the timing jumped one tooth thats why it 's shifting the way it is.  I talked to someone else and they say that how could the timing have anything to do with it if I have to turn the car off and re-start it doesn't move the timing belt? It's a 95 eagle talon esi 2.0 and the mechanic also said because the timing jumped it dwas making the cam and crankshaft sensors not work properly or something like that.  HELP in need of some honest advice?!!!

Answer
Pammy,
If you have an automatic transmission, you can have hard shifting if your timing belt has skipped a tooth.  But this would not be the cause if you had a manual transmission.  If you have a manual transmission, the problem may simply be a loose cable linkage.  You should also have the clutch master and slave cylinders checked.

If you have not had your timing belt changed within the past 60,000 miles, you should have it done.  And this should be done regardless of the type of transmission you have.  They will probably also recommend having the auto tensioner, balance belt, and water pump replaced as well.  These items usually are replaced at the same time.  So I would say have the timing belt replaced and see how the car runs after that.  If your shifting is still jerky, take it back to have it inspected again, and at least you can rule out a timing issue.  But the timing belt and related components should be replaced regardless.
Good luck!