Can't Shift Into First

[OsoMoore]

I am off visiting my parents 400 miles from home and took the 911 along. Great driving time! Unfortunately, I now find that I can't shift into 1st gear.

The other gears engage just fine, but stopped or rolling, first gear simply appears as though it isn't there at all. I didn't hear and bad noises.
There is no grinding when you try for first.

Is it possible a plate or something has moved and is preventing me? Or is it likely something more serious?

EDIT: Reference post on detents: 915 rebuild questions (several)

[kodioneill]

I would bet it's the linkage bushings that have worn out and need to be replaced and readjusted. Lift the carpet behind the seats remove the metal plate (four phillips screws) there will be a rod and coupling, wiggle the shift lever and look to see if there's any slop in the joint. There's more bushings under the front lever but I bet the rear is where the problem lies. You could limp it home carefully then repair.

[john walker's workshop]

if bushings were gone, you would probably have trouble engaging 3rd and 5th also, and feel a lot of slop in the shifter. does it go all the way into the normal 1st position or does it not want to go past neutral position? if the latter, the dog teeth on 1st may have broken off, allowing the syncro ring to expand and block the shift sleeve. if this is the case, you should not drive it any more because the syncro, brake band and stop dogs can get loose and go through the gears causing $$$$$ damage. there would be a lot of small teeth on the drain plug magnet too.
here's another "can't shift into 1st" thread w/pictures. good stuff starts @ post #111. Can't Shift Into First

[OsoMoore]

Thank you for the ideas JW and kodioneill.

There is no slop in the bushing - I took off the plate and everything is firm.

It does not go all the way into 1st. You can move slightly forward towards 1st, but only a few degrees. It does not move into the position where 1st would be.

Next step is to drain and check the plug?

If indeed it is broken off dog teeth, can I drain the fluid, get out the teeth bits, and drive it home without first gear?

[Matt Monson]

Maybe. Total crap shoot how much damage is already done and what further damage may occur with driving it.

[OsoMoore]

Sounds like I will be renting a UHaul to tow it home then. Further updates will come as the situation continues!

[911pcars]

Have you lifted the boot and visually inspected the top of the shift housing? Make sure something isn't trapped preventing first gear engagement.

Sherwood

[tobluforu]

Did you lend your car to someone who thought one could DS into first at 20mph, or maybe went to third and caught first; DS from 4th, caught first? I hope it's something simple.

[OsoMoore]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Have you lifted the boot and visually inspected the top of the shift housing? Make sure something isn't trapped preventing first gear engagement.

Sherwood

Lifted the boot hoping it was simple, but everything was in good order at that end. But, thanks to having 4 brothers on hand, it is loaded on to the trailer now.

My suspicion is that they went for third and hit first. Not sure what they may have done, but I didn't hear any bad noises. Got to the end of the road and 1st just wasn't there any more.

[OsoMoore]

Car is back home and I am reading threads (thanks JW) and contacting friends to see who may be on hand to help with the pending engine drop.

Geez, always wanted to do this, but sort of wanted to do this sometime off later on.

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by OsoMoore

Lifted the boot hoping it was simple, but everything was in good order at that end. But, thanks to having 4 brothers on hand, it is loaded on to the trailer now.

My suspicion is that they went for third and hit first. Not sure what they may have done, but I didn't hear any bad noises. Got to the end of the road and 1st just wasn't there any more.

They? Who's they? (Just trying to keep up here. )

[Mike Billings]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's common that when the clutch cable is old and starts to stretch, the first symptom can sometimes be that it won't go into first.

If you know how to properly adjust the clutch cable, tighten it a little and check again.

If it works, then replace the clutch cable before it pops.

[OsoMoore]

Originally Posted by BE911SC

They? Who's they? (Just trying to keep up here. )

I have a big family, so without giving away too much I can say that "they" are related to me.

Originally Posted by Mike Billings

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's common that when the clutch cable is old and starts to stretch, the first symptom can sometimes be that it won't go into first.

If you know how to properly adjust the clutch cable, tighten it a little and check again.

If it works, then replace the clutch cable before it pops.

I will look into how to do that adjustment. Its not something I am familiar with.

[OsoMoore]

I drained the fluid after using some WD40-brand PB Blaster stuff. It worked fast.
I found a fair bit of thin metal shavings, and one gear tooth.

Inspection port will come off tomorrow and we'll see what else I can find.

[Bob Harriman]

bummer bro!!!!

[OsoMoore]

I am kind of surprised to only see the one gear tooth on the plug. I suspect I'll find more in the port.

[yelcab1]

Where there is one tooth, many are hiding inside the box. Your chance to learn to do a gear box. It will be fun, and expensive at the same time.

[OsoMoore]

I took off the inspection port and had a look around. I found 1 more gear tooth, and some quite small shavings. I was sort of expecting to find more.

Now I'm moving on to disconnecting oil lines and such.

[john walker's workshop]

that blue stuff isn't helping your syncros either.

[OsoMoore]

The blue transmission fluid isn't a preferred type? I'm not sure what it is supposed to be.