Help-Car will only shift from neutral to 2nd

[Blk95993]

Advice...I pretty much know the inevitable, but just hoping for something less expensive!!

Car will not shift into 1st, 3rd, 4th, or 5th. Seems that the shifter is jammed in the far left position of neutral. It will only shift into 2nd. I drove the car a couple of days ago and it DID shift into 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & Rev; however, only after the car had warmed up. What gives??

[Blk95993]

late night bump...bueler bueler??? nothing from tha 915 wizards....

[Joe Bob]

Ummm, it happened to me...once in my 930.....I pulled the trans and found the reverse idler in the rear cover plate had fallen off. $1.25 part.....*******pissedmeoff.....

[FinallyGotOne]

Well I was told that the Reverse Gear is totally on its own really, so teh fact that he cannot get Reverse sounds like what may be a simple fix except your going to have to get into the tranny to do it. A shop wont have to drop the engine to see whats wrong so it should not be too expensive to diagnose.

My tranny needed a full overhaul, but even the day it was flat bedded I was still able to shift all gears... good luck, let us know what it was.

[Kevin Stewart]

on the center tunnel just infront of the rear seat under the carpet is a plate, under it is a u-joint type piece that may be worn out, also check your motor mounts, Kevin

[Blk95993]

How do I check to confirm that the motor mounts are the issue? How does the motor mounts effect the tranny shifting? Thanks for the new post. CB

[Blk95993]

Car sat over night and is now shifting into neutral, 2nd, 3rd 4th and rev...drove it arond the block, pulled into the drive, and now will not shift but except 2nd...really strange...

[rcecale]

When is the last time you changed your tranny fluid?

Might not be a bad idea to drain it, drop the inspection plate from underneath and see if you can see anything wrong. It doesn't give you a really great view up into the tranny, but it could be something obvious.

Besides, a look at your tranny fluid may tell something also.

Also, keep track of how much comes out. It should have a little less than 1 gal. when filled properly.

Good luck!

btw, where in Georgia are you?

Randy

[Porsche_monkey]

The engine / tranny are mounted in one place, the shifter is mounted in another place. That means if the engine/tranny move they have moved relative to the shifter, and this ould cause a shifting issue.

I would strongly suggest you start at the beginning by checking the shift coupling, as suggested above, and then re-adjusting the linkqage as per the directions you will find using the search button.

If you are unsure how to adjust the linkage re-post here and someone, possibly even me, will help.

You need to start at the bginning and work through this methodically.

[Blk95993]

Randy, thanks for the post. I am located in Atlanta off 75 close to moores mill rd. How bout you?

You think it could have something to do with the motor mounts?

[Gunter]

When was the last time you inspected/replaced all bushings?
Or adjusted the shift-coupler?
Coupler bushings still good?
Inspected/adjusted/greased the shift tower mechanism?
Underneath:
Checked/adjusted the clutch as per Bentley or 101?
Check the transmission/motor mounts for excessive play.
The procedures are in the Bentley SC Repair Manual.
Your problems may be fixed after you do the above; get the Bentley.

[Porsche_monkey]

Yes, the little nylon bushing on the end of the shifter should be inspected also.

Do not assume a tear-down is inevitable.

Even if these little things do not solve the problem, they will prevent another problem a year from now. They are not a waste of time, regardless of the outcome.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by Blk95993
Randy, thanks for the post. I am located in Atlanta off 75 close to moores mill rd. How bout you?

You think it could have something to do with the motor mounts?

I'm in Marietta, just a few miles from the square, down the 380. I can probably swing by one evening after work (Windy Hill and 75) this week for a bit, if need be. I'm no expert, like many of these other guys, but I do have a pretty decent set of eyeballs that can maybe see something you might be overlooking.

As far as the mounts go, yes, indeed, they could certainly be an issue. Easy enough to check, also. Basically inspecting the rubber part of each mount for softness and flexibility. If they're dried out, they can certainly cause shifting problems...although, why they would do that only when warmed up is beyond my limited range of knowledge. You also want to make sure they're nice and tight, not loose and/or hanging.

Bushings are also a good thing to inspect too. I (and most of the guys here, too) am of the mindset of ruling out the simple things first. Several times someone has gone through lots of exhaustive $$$, labor and #@%$!!, only to find their issue was caused by the failure of a $3.00 part.

If it ends up being the mounts, those are easy enough to change. There are two engine, and two tranny mounts. Same part number, not too expensive, IIRC. Our host happily carries a variety of mounts for us. I changed mine out a year or so ago and did notice an immediate improvement.

I'll PM you my contact info, if you're interested.

Randy

[rcecale]

Did a little bit of searching and found this thread fom back in 2002.

TimL had a similar, "unable to shift while hot" issue. After much discussion, he dropped his engine/tranny, separated them and found part of the clutch disk had broken apart.

he neded up changing the clutch. pres plate, TO Bearing and the issue was resolved.

Probably not what you were hoping to hear, but it certainly is a possibility.

Randy

[Blk95993]

Putting the car on jacks today, will give everyone an update as I rule things out. Thanks to all for the great feedback. CB

[Blk95993]

Just jacked the car up from the rib of the engine. As I am jacking, the only thing that is lifting is the engine...I think I have confirmed that the motor mounts are worn and need to be replaced. Easy job? Or do I have to drop the engine?

Any suggestions on which ones to order? My plans are to make this a dedicated track car.

I am sure that there are other issues with the tranny as well. Next step is the linkage. Be back soon. CB

[Blk95993]

How do I adj the linkage? The car will not shift in dead center. Only dead center left and then into second. Advice please. Thanks for the post

[Elombard]

huge # of posts on adjusting the linkage use the search, you could read for hours.

I wonder if the rubber centered clutch has given up. And chunks are between the clutch and presure plate (this was suggested above).

I am betting the linkage needs new bushings, new tranny and motor mounts and new bushings in the u joint are all contributing to the problem. Everything is moving around andf not staying in the proper relationship.

If you are headed to the track might as well go with the wevo.

[Blk95993]

I have check most of the popular posts and tech sections on adj linkage...Tech section article on how to adj linkage requires you to be able to shift the car into dead center neutral in order to adj the linkage properly. My car will not do this. The car will only shift from the driver side neutral position to 2nd gear. Please confirm or discredit and I will try to adj based on the feedback.

Also, checked the bushings in the coupler-looks as if it was replaced recently by PO. Moves in conjuction with shifter. Need to pull back the housing to see if the bushing on the shift leaver has been replaced as well.

I am going to try to replace the motor and tranny mounts, if nothing else helps I will resort to a mechanic. Thanks to all that has posted.

[Blk95993]

Update-when I shift from driver side neutral to 2nd gear, there is a little play in the bushing. Maybe 2-3mm.

Also, drove the car in second gear. Tranny made a sound that much like a truck pulling a chain...

I am going to disconnect the coupler to determine if it is a shifter or the tranny issue. .