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Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:28 am

I have a 1971 Karmann Ghia autostick, and whenever I try to switch gears, it makes a grinding noise and it wont let me go into that gear. The only way I can get it into the gear I want it to be in, is if I turn the car off, put it in gear, then turn it back on. How do I fix this problem?

Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:51 am

Go here http://www.vwar.org they can help you with all things to do with the autostick

Good Luck

Airhead

Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:30 am

You should only be able to start an AS car in neutral. How are you starting it in gear? Doesn't the car move?

Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:35 am

It sounds like it's the contact that is located in the shifter. If this wire is broken, the car will not shift into gear. Lift up the gearshift boot and see if the wire is broken. The wire may also be broken where the contact is inside of the shifter.

Make sure that none of the Automatic Stick wires that are in the engine compartment are broken or disconnected.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:38 am

The car will move. I can start the car in any gear that I want and it will go in that direction. But I cant put it in a different gear while the car is on, the only way i can do it is if i turn the car off then put it in that gear.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:36 am

There is also a connection (wire) under the rear seat. Check to make sure it's pluged in. If it comes unplugged the car will act as you describe.
Rodger

Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:18 am

I'm not just trying to state the obvious, but are you pressing the handle all the way down before shifting when you are driving ?

Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:16 am

yeah, its going down all the way

Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:34 am

You need to check all of you electrical connections, including the switch at the shifter. Something is not hooked up/working right.

Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:33 am

Bypassed neutral safety switch it smells like. Don't forget the shifter wire runs through that switch as well. Check that out, it may be why it starts in gear.

Volkenstein

Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:34 pm

where is the switch and what is it called, and where are the wires? under the back seat? what is it called

Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:14 pm

007kilmer,
It is called a neutral safety switch.
Go here for sticky photies :

www.vwar.org/forum/index.php?topic=430.0

Your starter in/out wires go to terminals marked 50, 31 is a piggy back connection for your shifter wire.

The gearstick wiring should go stick->connection under rear seat->N.S.S->CV solenoid .

HTH
Volkenstein