TheSamba.com :: View topic - I Need Automatic Trans Help it won't go into gear

Sat May 05, 2012 6:42 pm

I need someones help. I recently installed a type 3 fully automatic transmission into my 68 beetle type 1 dune buggy and when I purchased the trany used I was told that it worked. Like a good book I found that to be different.

I checked the fluid level and it is up to the max fill line. I checked the shifter cable and adjusted it when the shifter lever was fully in the park position. I am running a vacume line directly from the intake manifold to the shift control valve.

I start the car and I put the shifter in reverse and nothing happens. I put it into third and second and nothing happens. I put it into 1st gear and she wants to drive.

Anyone have any insite into why I get no reverse, 3rd or 2nd gear. Am I looking at a tranny rebuild here or a simple fix.

After 5 years of restoration this is my last herdle that I need to overcome. Thanks in advance to everyone.

Sat May 05, 2012 7:23 pm

just a thought, but is the trans in a different gear then the shifter may show? are you able to "shift" the linkage at all into a different gear?

Mon May 07, 2012 6:57 am

If you're absolutely certain about the shift cable adjustment then, from experience, I would guess that the seals inside the transmission are blown.
3rd and reverse are the same gear in these units so if you don't have either it's almost always internal. The good news is that it's not too hard or too expensive to fix. I've done it for two different cars in one evening each. The Bentley book has all the instructions. If you're just replacing the rubber and the friction parts then you can do it without special tools. Just a squeaky clean workbench.
All the parts you need are in the Master kit here: http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=2&Category_Code=VW-003

Mon May 07, 2012 9:06 am

Yes i'm sure the cable is set correctly. I also was thinking the problem may be internal. I did order the bently book and am now just waiting for it to come in. I do have another automatic tranny on my shop floor so I think i'm just gonna order the kit and rebuild that one, then i'll rebuild the one that's in the car now at a later time.