94 C2 Stuck in Neutral while Running

gti451 · 05-25-2011, 08:47 AM

Just picked up my new to me '94 C2 on Sunday down in Alabama. Had a wonderful 1000 mile drive home over the next two days with no issues. I went out to drive the car to work this morning... and couldn't get in gear.

Turned the car on and was unable to get the car out of neutral. Turned the car off and initially couldn't get any gear, but after a little trying could get 3 and 4. Turned car on and still stuck in neutral. Turned it off and was able to get all gears after a little trying, but shifting was not as smooth and consistent as day before. Was able to start car in first and move forward, but was unable to shift to second. Gave up as I had to drive other car to work.

Any suggestions on things I can look at to troubleshoot? What is different with the car running? Repair manual isn't here yet and trying to learn on the fly as fast as I can.

Car in question:

Thanks so much for any help.

- Jordan

tonypai · tonypai's Garage

Well, here are some simple tests off the top of my head.

1. Check the engine mounts. Make sure they are bolted down and torqued. Check to see if
there are any gaps back there.

2. Make sure there is transmission fluid in the tranny.

With the engine off can you get into gear. So I wonder if the clutch plate is not disengaging. That could be a myriad of issues.

Bubbling well · Bubbling well's Garage

Old clutch(brake) fluid, slave cylinder and hose?

bazar01 · bazar01's Garage

Congrats, nice looking 964.

He said he can shift with engine off and could not with engine running.
Classic clutch hydraulics issue. Can you work on cars? If not, do you have a trusted 911 mechanic?
Things to do:
1. Check for clutch fluid level in the reservoir. If below the clutch hose suction point, you need to check for fluid leakage from master and slave cylinders before you add fluid. It was low because fluid leaked out. Chances are it sucked in air and your clutch is not fully disengaging.
2. Add fluid to reservoir then bleed the master and slave so you can drive it at least.
3. Plan on replacing the master or slave whichever is leaking.

964TargaC2 · 05-25-2011, 07:47 PM

GOOD looking ride there!

gti451 · 05-25-2011, 07:51 PM

Thanks for the kind words and suggestions!

When I got home from work found that with the motor running I could shift among third, fourth and fifth gears. Car off and on and more movement of shifter through the pattern and I could eventually get into first and reverse. Now it is shifting just as it was when I picked it up, no issues. I haven't driven it yet, unsure of what could be going on. Shift linkage maybe? Saw a few threads talk about that or another reference the g50's sensitivity to debris floating around inside.

You guys have any ideas? I've got another car to drive and don't want to risk unnecessary damage or getting stuck if it seems likely to reoccur.

gti451 · 05-25-2011, 07:57 PM

And checked the fluid reservoir. It was a hair above max, same level it had been at when I picked up the car.

RSTarga · 05-25-2011, 09:23 PM

Master and slave cylinders, replace both or your plastic bushings in your shifter are coming apart. I think though that it is your hydraulics, replace both at the same time.

mike9186 · 05-26-2011, 06:05 AM

can you lift the shifter straight up about an inch? When you let go does it make a metal-on-metal clang? If so it is the bushings in the shift linkage below the shifter. This happened to me last year.

Have you tried to bleed the slave cylinder on top of the transmission? It is kind of a bear to get to but it bleeds just like a brake caliper. Mine seized up last year and I replaced it and the hydraulic hose (about $120 all in) and my car now shifts much better.