Help! I can't shift into 1st or 2nd gear

rmstewart87

My van has been my daily driver for about a year now with absolutely no problems. For that I am very grateful but all good things must come to an end right? My problem is as follows: I can't shift into 1st or 2nd gear like I could yesterday. When I align the shifter to normaly shift to 1st gear it goes very easliy into 3rd gear and the same with 2nd and 4th gear. I can get it in both 1st and 2nd but I have to press the shifter down like I am going for reverse just not all the way over. Doing that It will easily go into both. I have a Bentley and have been searching forums all day to no end.

From what I can tell the shifting linkage is not fully rotating over to engage 1st or 2nd gear at the tranny. Would a bad bushing cause this? If so any ideas as to witch one? I am not very knowledgeable about working on cars but am eager to learn and can figure most things with the help of the Bentley. I just need to be pointed in the right directions. Any help is mucho appreciated. If any more info is needed to maybe help you help me Very Happy

please let me know what it is and I will find out to the best of my abilities.
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'82 A/C Vanagon Westy

levi · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:34 pm Post subject:

Search "shift rod",could be one of your ear tabs busted off.
Or, the plastic parts at the base of the gear shift may have broken.
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ALIKA T3 · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

Check the selector on the transmission:it might be loose,or the plastic ball is failing....

Should be an easy fix,that's likely to be linkage related.

Bye!
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dhaavers · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:46 pm Post subject:

Top search results:
1) Issues shifting into 1st gear
2) Shifting difficulty: R-1-2
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HeftySmurf · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:46 pm Post subject:

Check the ball at the transmission, check the nut the holds the ball on, check the attachment point on the trans, and work your way up. Also lift up your boot at the stick shift and make sure the bolts are tight and lined up with the little holes in the floor.
Or worst case scenario your trans is f'd and you need a rebuild. Crying or Very sad

rmstewart87 · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks all for the info. I am going to check all the stuff you guys have recommended tomorrow as it is already dark here.
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'82 A/C Vanagon Westy

rmstewart87 · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:58 pm Post subject:

dhaavers · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 8:03 pm Post subject:

Check it:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5051484&highlight=#5051484
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

SyncroGhia · Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 11:47 pm Post subject:

If you can't find anything wrong with the shifter mechanism, unbolt it from the transmission and try manually selecting 1st or 2nd at the transmission. If it still won't go, it's transmission out. You could have a broken 1st to 2nd synchro hub. Not as common as 3rd to 4th synchro hub but they do go.

MG
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Vango Conversions · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 12:03 am Post subject:

I agree with most of the above (but I don't think your transmission is going out) and if it used to work something is probably worn out. The bushings wear and so does the ball mounted to the transmission so all those should be checked.

But...

If you can still get into 1st and 2nd by pushing down on the shifter (like you're going into reverse) then try loosening the pinch bolt on the shifter rod just aft of the gas tank and twisting the forward portion of the rod clockwise (looking towards the front of the van) just a little bit and then test driving it. It'll probably take a few tries to get it right but by fine tuning that joint you should be able to get first and second back.

HeftySmurf · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 8:51 am Post subject:

ALso, It will be allot easier to mess with if you have a buddy help, but I forgot to ask if you tried getting it into gear at the trans.
There is quite a distance from the shifter, so if a bushing finally failed or something came loose it can trow the gear box off enough to make it so you cant get in all your gears.
It may also be a good time to change your fluid if you havent done so, or dont know when it was done last. That way you can see if the drain plug has an afro.
Good luck!
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90 GL w/ Bostig

vanjoe · Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 9:02 am Post subject:

Mine did this same thing last weekend after getting stuck in the sand down at the beach. After I got pulled out I only had 3rd and 4th. I thought for sure I lost my tranny. I drove it home in 3rd and 4th gear. Checked the linkage and sure enough the ball at the tranny was sliding up the metal that bolts to the tranny. What I did and it worked real good was slide the ball all the way back down and put some JB Weld to keep it down. I didn't want to spend $50 on this from GW and Bus Depot has them listed on their website for $14.95 but it states they won't be getting any until June. But the JB Weld fix seems like it will be a permanant fix for me.
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1990 VW Vanagon tin top weekender Carat
1998 Mercedes S420

"Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but there is always time to do it twice?"

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rmstewart87 · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 8:05 am Post subject:

vanjoe · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 8:45 am Post subject:

You were right there at the ball and socket when you were testing the shifter at the tranny. More than likely your ball is moving up in the metal and binding on the cup. I would suggest you take the mechanism off the tranny( it is only a 13MM nut and inspect it. The ball is probably ok it will be the other plastic above the ball that is probably broken off allowing the ball to slide up. It was right above the ball on mine that I put the JB Weld. Here is the kit that Van Cafe sells. You can see the plastic white ball that I am talking about.
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_251
_________________
1990 VW Vanagon tin top weekender Carat
1998 Mercedes S420

"Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but there is always time to do it twice?"

"Back to the basics!"

rmstewart87 · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 9:58 am Post subject:

johnt55 · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:29 am Post subject: Shifter linkage

Yes, I created the same problem myself ( Embarassed

) while installing a missing rod bushing, (251-711-207d, Bentley page 34.7) and the steel support flanges, (251-711-198d) which hold the plastic bushing in place. (1981 4-speed, air cooled Westy)

I incorrectly assumed that simply having both the driver's gear shift lever and the transmission shift lever in neutral was good enough. Nope.

See attached diagram.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

It may be easier to slightly rotate the rear shift rod counter-clockwise in relation to the front shift rod. Make your changes gradually, one tiny spline at a time, (i.e., loosen, rotate, tighten, check - loosen, rotate, tighten, check) until all of the gears are easily selected using the driver's shifter and reverse remains locked-out without pushing down.

Assuming there is nothing else wrong with the in-cab, up front gear shift mechanism, (see other posts) it is not necessary to disconnect any other part of the shift linkage to correct this problem.


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