83' Automatic 944 Problem?
 

The heat gauge spiked and the car now has no forward or reverse gears. The shift stop that has any effect is park. Is my tranny fried? If I get a used one what is involved in the swap?

Ignoring the symptom of the heat gauge for the moment, my guess would be the flex disc in the auto trans is shot. PP parts list for about $1200-common problem in trans. If you locate a used trans, you may just be replacing one bad part for another.

You could go and just replace the auto with a manual setup. It has been done in a few posts. A lot of work.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S DD

I have an 83 automatic also, have had to take it out a couple of times, did your trans make any noise or hear a clunk similar to a loose u-joint? If not do you hear a ind of high pitched whine from the trans with the engine running, I've had two torque converters snap the inner splines, not going anywhere, however park works fine. If you are near central CA there's a great Porsche only junkyard,oops, vehicle salvage yard in Hayward,CA if you do need to replace your trans they will hook you up and not leave you hanging if you have any questions.

In Tennessee but have found an 83' Trans for $300? What is reasonable replacement labor $? Right now there is no engagement whatsoever when shifting out of park. The shifter area was very hot when running. Bought the car for the kid to learn to drive on. I wanted something nicer looking in the driveway! Like the way the car feels so I bought a 97' 951 for myself and love it. I hate to part with the 83' so fixing it is my goal.

Shade tree mechanic with little experience with 944 and may pad bill at finish to replace misc needed parts--$800 to $1000. Shop with 944 experience and knows what to expect $1200-$1500, not counting damaged sensors or parts that may need to be replaced once taken apart.
First time owner without proper lifts and experience 3 days labor- 14 to 20 hours under car not counting shopping for parts and waiting for UPS to arrive.

GL
John_AZ

If you picked up another auto trans the swap is pretty simple and with proper lifts and should only take a couple of hours and remember to replace the copper crush o-rings where the banjo bolt attatches the fluid line, it's a huge pita when you forget that little goodie, it seems like a big job but it goes fairly smoothly with the right lifts, if it's a manual trans your putting in place of the auto, I have no clue:\

I got another Auto for $300. Price seemed fair. Picked it up today. Thanks for the heads up on time. I have several lifts so that should not be an issue.