Stuck in First Gear

[snake1996]

I have a 83 944, weird thing happened yesterday. Shifter is stuck in first gear. With both hands I can pull it out of first. Funny thing is 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and reverse is fine. To put it into first it also takes two hands. Was thinking linkage problem but, I would think some other gears would be affected. I also thought maybe 1st gear syncro, but it doesn't grind, it will go into 1st with both hands but also two hands to get it out. When it is in 1st gear takes off like normal. I have not had time to get it in the air yet, just wonderin if any of my fellow Pelicans have ever experienced this malady? Also there are no strange noises at all.

[GreenWater]

I haven't heard of this before, but who knows. There could be something binding but I don't know what it would be. There shouldn't be anything with the shifter in the car that would cause this, but it's worth a quick check. Take the shifter cover off and the rubber boot off and make sure everything is fine. Also check the linkage in the tranny to make sure nothing is binding there. If both places are fine, then it's in the tranny. Good Luck.

Is this something that just started happening or how did it start?

[suedeworthey]

Is it stuck even if the engine is not running? If so, maybe a linkage issue, if not, I have no idea... synchros maybe, or clutch not disengaging all the way (master/slave/clutch job?)?

[GreenWater]

Maybe a bend or worn shift fork???

[suedeworthey]

Originally Posted by GreenWater

Maybe a bend or worn shift fork???

That doesn't sound like a fun one to fix...

[snake1996]

It happened all of a sudden, the engine does not have to be running. Will keep you guys posted when I get a better look at it. Thanks for the replies. Wish me luck, lol