Is My Linkage AFU?

[rcecale]

Driving to work today and was coming to a red light. I was in third gear and just held the clutch down and rolled to a stop.

When the light turned green, I went to put it in first gear but it wouldn't move. The shifter would go forward and back, but not side to side...so, basically, I was stuck in third with a line of cars behind me.

Well, after trying unsuccessfully several times to get it to work, and after handing out the obligitory "finger" to all the well-wishers who honked as they passed, I revved her up and was able to get rolling down the road in third. I was only a quarter mile from work, so I headed there.

In the parking garage, I headed to a sparsely populated level and parked. Again I tried getting the shifter to move side to side and was finally able to get it "unstuck". With the engine off, I was able to easily shift through all five gears, so I started her up and drove a bit and she seemed to work just fine.

Somehow, the linkage seemed to get caught up on something. I'm thinking this may be related to another symptom I've noticed lately. Occasionally, it is damn-near impossible to shift into second. When I try, it feels as though there is something in place, blocking the way, or that something is catching somewhere. If I leave it out of gear, release the clutch and then engage it again, it usually frees up whatever was causing the problem.

I haven't taken a look at the linkage at all, and haven't been able to duplicate this problem...it just happenswhenever it feels like happening.

What should I be looking for?

[Wayne 962]

Yup, sounds like a linkage problem - instructions on how to adjust are in the 101 Projects book, and I think they're somewhere on this site too, but I can't find it right now...

-Wayne

[dhoward]

Maybe you'll find that screwdriver the PO lost in the tunnel 6 years ago....

[rcecale]

Originally posted by dhoward
Maybe you'll find that screwdriver the PO lost in the tunnel 6 years ago....

That's exactly what I'm afraid of!

Wayne, I think it's time for me to break down and spring for the book. You'll be hearing from me.

Thanks guys!

Randy