Shifter Problem - Stuck

msailer · 06-02-2009, 04:07 PM

OK, here is a weird one that I have been try to figure out the last few days. I have done a lot of searching thru the threads and haven't seen anything like this.

Car is a '83 NA 944 5 spd
Has has been in the garage being worked on. (Project Car)
I start it periodically and run it for a while to keep things lubricated.
Sunday, the car would not shift. It seems to be stuck in either 1,2,3or 4.
I can muscle it into 5th or reverse.
Stepping on the clutch disengages the engine from the transmission.
Putting the shifter in neutral and releasing the clutch, the car lurches forward. So, I'm in a gear.

I checked the wired bolt on the shifter rod and that looks to be OK.
Need to take a wrench to it.

Anyone ever see anything like this?
Ideas?

TIA

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

With the car in gear, try rocking it back and forth a bit (pushing the car forward, then backwards), and see if that frees it up. It happened while it was sitting? Drove normally when you parked it? Is there a lot of play in the shift lever (side to side)?

John_AZ · 06-03-2009, 05:58 AM

Take the leather shift lever boot off and check to see if the "E" clip on the end has fallen off. If it is still on move the lever L to R. Do you have a lot of slop? If yes, the shift lever pin inside the shift rod has an "hourglass" shape and needs to be fixed. You can buy a new shift lever or for a few dollars and a little work, just tap in a bolt:
http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=18424

I have used this method on both of my cars. Other options include using the bolt and welding the bolt to the old shift lever. You can also buy plastic inserts for the pin for a temporary fix.

DO NOT put a lot of force on the "security wire" bolt on the shift rod. It will snap and then you can practice droping the transaxle.

It might be as simple at the bolt that attaches the rear shift linkage. Not common.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

msailer · 06-05-2009, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the ideas guys.

Here is what I have found so far.
It appears that the transmission is stuck in 1st gear. When I release the clutch, the car rolls forward smoothly.

I have rocked the car forwards/backwards with no results.

Checked all the bolts and they are snug.

Removed the shifter and boot, the E clip is still attached. Don't think the side to side is excessive. I compared it to an '82 944 that I have.

Linkage on the transaxle has about the same slop as the '82 944 that I have.

Anything else before I drop the transaxle to see what is stuck inside?

bazar01 · bazar01's Garage

Problem could be internal!
Shifter fork riding on the slider is held by a roll pin to the shift rod. Maybe the roll pin sheared.

JonA · 06-05-2009, 05:15 PM

Can you get it rolling forward in 1st. and then pull it back into neutral. Maybe rocking it isn't unloading the transmission enough.

Jon

msailer · 06-05-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonA

Can you get it rolling forward in 1st. and then pull it back into neutral. Maybe rocking it isn't unloading the transmission enough.

Jon

I'll give it a try.

I'll have to see if I can get it out of the garage on the floor jack and then take it for a ride.

seafeye · 03-03-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_AZ

Take the leather shift lever boot off and check to see if the "E" clip on the end has fallen off. If it is still on move the lever L to R. Do you have a lot of slop? If yes, the shift lever pin inside the shift rod has an "hourglass" shape and needs to be fixed. You can buy a new shift lever or for a few dollars and a little work, just tap in a bolt:
924Board.org :: View topic - Audi shift lever refurb

I have used this method on both of my cars. Other options include using the bolt and welding the bolt to the old shift lever. You can also buy plastic inserts for the pin for a temporary fix.

DO NOT put a lot of force on the "security wire" bolt on the shift rod. It will snap and then you can practice droping the transaxle.

It might be as simple at the bolt that attaches the rear shift linkage. Not common.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

Do you have a part number for that white plastic piece in the center of your picture? Mine has gone oval and would like to replace it. I have to use stock part because the car will be used for 944 spec. Thx

John_AZ · 11:19 AM

NLA=
Intermediate shift lever piece.

Need to go used or somewhere, someplace, someone has machined a new piece.

Edit:
You may be able to put in a brass sleeve. I have experimented with a thinwall steel sleeve and it has held and firmed the shifting.

You do have a new shift lever in the cabin and not a used or "repaired"??

GL
John