84 Vanagon won't shift

[kaplang]

My 84 Vanagon with 4 speed manual transmission will not shift properly. It just stared acting up. I can get it into reverse, 3rd and 4th gears but not into 1st and 2nd. For a short time I could get it into 1st and 2nd if I messed around with the shifting pattern but now it won't go. In looking at the linkage all looks to be OK. I did not have any warning on this. One minute it was fine and the next minute it wasn't. I did not hear anything that would lead me to think it is internal to the transmission. Is their something I should look for before assuming it is internal to the transmission?

Original owner with about 275,000 miles on original transmission.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

George

[garryv84]

275,000 miles on original tranny. WOW! If nothing, your 3-4 hub should have cracked a long time ago. I would just rebuild the tranny by one of the shops recommend by samba members. If you wait too long, and the R&P goes, it is going to cost you another 500 to 1000.

[kaplang]

Thanks for your reply but not what I wanted to hear. The van and I have had many long years and miles together but I am not going to sink a couple of thousand in a car that is worth less. Time to move on.

[morymob]

Maint and driving style will pretty much determine mi u get but 350K and counting i can verify and still good/quiet/shifting. Check bottom of shifter 4 worn ,broken ears on shaftand at trans end.

[crazyvwvanman]

I wouldn't blame the tranny just yet. There is a metal box under the front of the van that has the guides for the shifter. There are 2 ears that stick up and use the guides. The ears are plastic tabs bonded to metal. When the plastic tab on the reverse side ear wears off the guide doesn't do it's job of guiding the lever in 1st unless you push down for reverse, and that makes it want to go into reverse instead of 1st. The plastic tabs can be replaced. Check them out.

Mark

[kaplang]

I removed the metal box and did an inspection. I see some of the plastic you are referring to but not sure what it needs and what (if any) is gone. The diagrams in the VW service manual was not much help. Where can I see what it should look like and are these parts still available?

George

[kaplang]

[crazyvwvanman]

These fuzzy photos show a new rod and the ears. The 1/2 gear ear is angled on top, and rides against the welded on guide in the box.





Here is a good guy who sells a kit to replace damaged or missing ears.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1201096

Mark

[morymob]

At top of forum click on 'classifieds', move down to general parts= vanagon, and click. At top is pics of the parts, u can also click on pic for more info.

[kaplang]

Thanks for the pictures and the lead Mark it really helps me out. I guess I need to spend another 50 bucks and see if I can keep my Vanagon alive. I am going to do some moving next month and it would be nice to have it to help.

[kaplang]

Repair kit on order. I will give an update after I receive and install. Here is hoping it solves my problem and thank you all for your input. Much appreciated!

George

[kaplang]

Received the kit and installed per instuctions. Problem solved! 1st and 2nd gear are back. And to think i needed a new transmission. Think again!

Maybe It will last another 275,000 miles.


George

[MidwestDrifter]

Wooohoo!
Its amazing how sensitive the shift linkage can be to even the smallest wear and damage.
_________________
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12
http://drivechuckdrive.blogspot.com/

[IdahoDoug]

Do an xtra oil change now to thank your tranny. Clearly u have taken grt care of it so far!
_________________
Two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2013 Subaru Impreza boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V

[MidwestDrifter]

I can confirm via anecdotal evidence that vanagon transmissions can last over 250k. I recently went and looked at a 84 GL tintop for a parts donor, 2nd owner original trans. The transmission had just lost the 3-4 slider hub at 285k miles. Most of which were highway miles in the flat midwest.

On the other hand my aircooled tranny barely got to 150 before giving up a mainshaft bearing. But it was pushing a westy in the rocky mountains. Its all about how they are driven I think.
_________________
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12
http://drivechuckdrive.blogspot.com/

[Gibbons Glass]

I am hoping my tranny can be fixed as easy as the one at the top of this post but I think it needs to be rebuilt. It is making a whirring sound in all gears at all speeds and stops when I let off the gas, but then returns when I push the gas again. it sounds like it is coming from beneath the back seat or just in front of it. I am already gearing up to rebuilding it and was going to take it to Benco in Riverside. It has been making the sound since June.

What seals should I buy to replace the tranny and is there any thing else I should replace while the thing is out of the car, I know I should do the clutch.

Thanks,

NOMDNSS

San Diego.

[kaplang]

Sounds like a bearing to me. If the clutch disk and pressure plate are ok why replace? I would definitely replace the TO bearing.

[Gibbons Glass]

is that easy enough to fix my self I am semi skilled at working on cars, or should I just have it rebuilt?

Thanks

[kaplang]