Sport O won't shift

jhelgesen · 10-19-2003, 03:38 PM

Hey Guys, just finished a tensioner installation in a friends 77 targa sporto. Runs like a champ so far.

Issue is now, won't shift. The clutch won't disengage, so all it wants is to grind. Anyone know what to look for to fix?

relkceb · 07:05 PM

Does it have fluid in the tranny?

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Adjust micro switch in shifter, adjust coupler near back seats, worst case is the vacuum slave has failed. Make sure you have not bumped any of the wiring harness loose near the vacuum regulator.

jhelgesen · 10-20-2003, 03:15 PM

Good progress tonight. Adjusted the switches and could get in L and D1, but nothing else. I need to add, I had replaced the switch assembly already, but not adjusted it. I adjusted the plate on the top of the shifter and can get all the gears now.

Was able to take it around the block, worked smooth. But sitting in the driveway, periodically it would stick in gear, R, L, or D1. I could jump the switch with no luck. Turning the car off would let me take it out of gear and I could start again.

Getting close.

tangerine911e · 10-20-2003, 04:14 PM

Those micro switches are the most frustrating things ever created. I feel your pain! I use to find a bit of swearing and threatening the car worked wonders with my sporto

Good luck with getting it all to function. A working sporto is a great thing. I lost patience with mine and turfed it for a 5 speed.

Fishcop is your sporto man!

Ash

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

hey john! we only seem to communicate during bad sporto posts...what a shame. anyway, I agree that it is switch. (unless "i could jump the switch" means you manually apply the contact and engage the clutch..then i don't know what it is)

I think you should try this: Remove the shift lever. put it in vice so it is sticking straight up as in the same position it's in in the car. then, with the dust cover pulled off, mimic the shift pattern of the various gears. i bet the little contacts are only touching in certain gears. for example...right now "D" is my strongest contact point and some of the other gears are weak and clunk. so, since the season is coming to an end and i don't feel like R&Ring the switch right now, when i switch gears (or come out of gear) i will push the lever straight forward first for a quick second, engaging the clutch...freeing the lever to move anywhere i want it. if this makes no sens PM me and i will correspond via phone with you. or just call me between 9-5 eastern 800-422-2446.

joe 68 L (always happy to help a sporto brother out...)

jhelgesen · 10-20-2003, 04:29 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the tips. I guess the worst part is it's not my car (or best part, depending on how you like sporto's). If it were mine, I'd put a thumb button on the shifter. Since it's not, I gotta get it right.

Agrivating part is sometimes it works perfect, sometime not. Think I'll just drive it a while and see if it just needs to be driven to make it happy. It's perfect targa weather around here anyway.

Can't wait to get into the 912-6 and use a clutch.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

John, make sure the micro switch at the gear shift is orientated correctly... The contacts are to the right or 3 o'clock.

Hey Joe! I'm gladened by your silence

jhelgesen · 10-21-2003, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fishcop
John, make sure the micro switch at the gear shift is orientated correctly... The contacts are to the right or 3 o'clock.

Really? Mine are on the left.

I was looking last night, and I get good contact between the switches, and when it gets stuck, the switches have no electricty going through them. I'm wondering if I don't have a good ground to the shifter, or the contacts are dirty?

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

ummm hmmm. as i suspected. this is a little more complicated and thus will necessitate the special tool i call the "retractable dog leash". (any long cord will do, that was all i could find).

take your multimeter and attach it to the vacuum switch and a ground in the engine bay (take air cleaner off if equipped). tie one end of your cord to the shift lever and throw other end out top of topless targa roof towards back of car. if fuel pump is in engine bay unplug it otherwise you can't hear what is happening. turn key one notch so "power on" but no ignition. now slowly pull the cord so lever moves/contact is made. multimeter should go from 0 to 12 volt. does it? if no (and you are SURE contact is made) check ground by the shift lever base? (but be REALLY SURE the contact is made...i wasn't 100% sure until i used the other special tool i like to call "wife"...i had her out there pulling the cord and i would watch). If contact is made, ground good, volts showing then move on to the vacuum switch.

when activated do you hear a quick horn sound/slight beep? that is the diaphragm filling with air. if you don't hear that or don't hear/feel anything moving you can't rule out the vacuum switch is bad.

i will let john pick it up from here as he is the expert teacher of the "blow/suck vacuum check test" (laughing out loud as i type this BTW...)

joe

jhelgesen · 10-21-2003, 06:07 AM

Okay, tonight I can employ a special tool called "8 year old son", he's always thrilled to help with anything in the shop. (you should have seen it when I gave him an old vw motor and said, do me a favor, take this apart).

I'll see if I can track down the vacuum switch and give it a test tonight.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

The Left??!! Maybe 'cause I'm "Downunder" it's the opposite side?

I must be wrong, I just remember it being on one side or another and not the middle. There is a lug and keyway so that the switch is correctly aligned....

Before "sucking and blowing" (I too chuckle at this point). I agree with Joe that it is an electrical issue.

Good luck