1969 Autostick expert needed

[Jeffhoehn]

When I turn the key on I can hear/feel the solenoid activate. The neutral switch works because it will not crank in gear. I put a new shifter contact in it and checked the wire. I am assuming you should hear the solenoid activate with the key on but I am not sure. It also gets very hot while car is running. I just need someone who has worked on these systems and really understands what could be wrong. There is absolutely no pressure to activate the pump and disengage the clutch. All hosed are new and not collapsing except the small one from the carb to the solenoid. Please ask me what else you need to know. I would love to talk with someone in person should you be near Birmingham,Al. Or on the phone.

[mukluk]

The shift solenoid should not automatically click/activate as soon as you turn the ignition on. If it does that indicates either the shifter contact wiring is shorted to ground or the contacts are adjusted too close. The solenoid should only activate when you physically move the shift lever and cause the contacts to close.

Have a read:

_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[mukluk]

Shift lever diagram and contact adjustment courtesy of glutamodo:

_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[sb001]

[Tom K.]

Or if you prefer videos ...


Link

_________________
'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[bobalowbill]

I ALSO HAVE A AUTOSTICK, I REPLACED ALL VACUUM HOSES, AND THE SWITCH IN THE SHIFTER, THE CLUTCH SERVO OPERATES, THE CONTROL VALVE OPERATES, I CAN SHIFT INTO ALL GEARS, REAR WHEELS DON'T TURN. I THOUGHT THE BRAKES WERE STUCK BECUSE I COULD NOT TURN REAR WHEELS BY HAND. REMOVED WHEELS AND BRAKE HUBS AXLES TURN WITH HUBS OFF BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. REINSTALLED THE HUBS AND NOW AXLES WON'T TURN IN ANY GREAR. BUT I CAN TURN THEM BY HAND. CAN ANYONE POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE AUTOSTICK.

[KTPhil]

[mukluk]

@bobalowbill
Check for low ATF level. If the fluid is filled to spec, check to see if you're getting ATF to and through the dual oil pump on the engine and that it's getting to and through the transaxle.

Check to see if either of the CV shafts have sheared or missing hardware.

Pull the rear hubcaps and check to see if either of the rear axle nuts spin when the car is running and in gear (indicates sheared splines in the drum).
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[Tom K.]

Try this. Lift the wheel wheels off the ground on stands . After the engine is started and running, shift into any gear. Then walk back and unplug your control valve. Watch to see if the wheels might start spinning. You are basically checking to see if your servo is properly letting go of the clutch. Let us know what you find.
_________________
'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[sb001]

[bobalowbill]

I started the engine put it in gear removed power from control valve and the clutch servo stayed pulled out.
I have it up on jack stands with the engine started in gear and the wheels and hubs are removed the axles turn.

[mukluk]

[Tom K.]

I'm having a little trouble understanding your update. If the axles are now spinning from engine power with the control valve disabled, then I would next loosen the shift linkage under the shifter. Plug in the control valve. Keep the engine on and in gear as you loosen the linkage until the wheels start to spin. But if you go to far out you will get gear grind. Keep loosening, shifting, etc. Play with it and dial it in till you like it. Too tight and the wheels don't spin. Too loose and you'll get gear grind when shifting.
_________________
'91 Vanagon Westfalia
'70 Beetle Convertible
'71 Super Beetle Semi-Automatic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=714131&highlight=
'65 Ghia: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=762478&highlight=

[bobalowbill]

I observed that when the engine is running, in gear or not that when I move the shifter to the left or right the clutch servo moves in an out is that suppose to happen, I am not pushing down on the shifter. wheels still not turning.

[sb001]

[Tom K.]

[sb001]

Any updates on this??
_________________
I'm the humblest guy on this board.

1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor

[bobalowbill]

I pulled the engine yesterday had metal shavings in torque converter going to pull transmission pan today to see if there is metal shavings there

[billmetric]

just to clarify, the ATF fluid and gear oil have no contact with each other, metal shavings are unlikely to mix between the two, of course the engine oil and ATF can mix at the combined oil pump seals should they fail, these trans are somewhat notorious in my experience for rusted stuck clutches after extended moist storage and there is virtually no posibility of freeing up a stuck clutch without transmission removal and disassembly due to the torque convertor slippage, you can't just free up a stuck clutch like on a standard manual trans, also examine the provided wiring diagrams, the factory wiring and neutral safety switch bridges the clutch solenoid in neutral AND while shifting, that means that idling in neutral the solenoid is powered up, getting hot and the clutch diaphram is pulling the clutch arm, I usually modify my wiring harness to allow the clutch/solenoid to remain engaged/unpowered in neutral just to prevent excess heat and power draw at idle
_________________
There is an idea of a Billmetric; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable... I simply am not there...

[sb001]