I searched through the posts, but couldn't find anything that matched what my darling little car is doing!
I have a 1969 autostick. I love it dearly, but it is driving me crazy.
When the car is cold, it runs great. Once the car heats up (and I live in Phoenix, so that doesn't take long), I start having trouble shifting.
I took it in two weeks ago, and they replaced the coupler. However, that did not fix the problems.
Sometimes, when I'm shifting from first to second AS I'm driving down the road, it sticks in neutral and I have to really YANK on it to get it into gear. Sometimes it gets into second and I can't get it OUT of second and have to pull away from a red light still in second. Sometimes, but not often, I can't get it into reverse. Sometimes, but not often, I can't get it OUT of reverse, and have to turn the car back off, put it in neutral and start it up again.
Lately, as I am waiting in line and idling (whether waiting for my daughter at school, or in line at Starbucks, etc), the ATF light comes on. Depending on what gear I am in, it goes off again, and then turns back on again as I shift. I checked the fluid level, and it was fine.
I plan on taking the car back to my mechanic next week, but I need some guidance on what to ask for, and what to talk to him about.
Help!
???
Hi,
the lamp coming on in Drive 2 means the ATF is too HOT...
so You need to shift to drive 1 and drive..
If Your mechanic knows anything about autosticks - and most mechanics even VW ones - Don't...
its best to find the cause of the problem yourself...
it sounds like you may have a small leak in one of the large vacuum hoses
or the clutch servo itself...
but usually, its best to replace all the vacuum hoses
which isn't a big job or expensive... [compared to todays cars]
once all the hoses are renewed and have new good quality hose clamps
then We can find out about the other problem... if its still there...
I had a similar problem with shifting - and found I hadn't tightened a hose clamp on the servo..
again - this time the servo adjuster was loose....
so little things can upset these complicated GREAT litttle cars..
cheers
LEE
Hiya jna,
And welcome to our forum!
I'm always one to try the "easiest fix" first, so you might want to do this..............
Take a look at the base of your shift lever. It's held in place by two 13mm bolts. Are those bolts tight so that the shift lever base is secure in one place? If the base of the lever is moving slightly it can affect your ability to find a gear with your shift lever and result in the symptoms you describe for shifting.
As Lee mentions, the ATF light coming on is a sign that your ATF is getting too hot. This can be a serious problem. If your ATF is up to level as measured in your ATF reservoir, you may be looking at a bad oil/ATF pump.
While it may be possible that these two conditions are related, it's more likely that they are not. The problem here is that we are just speculating based on the symptoms you have provided. This is a situation in which more information is needed.
Thanks! I did some research, and of course dragged out all my manuals, and am taking the car in to the mechanic first thing on Monday AM. I let him know that I suspected the hoses and/or the pump, and want the system checked thoroughly.
It scared me to death yesterday. I was in traffic, buzzing along, and shifted from 2nd to 3rd. Except it got stuck in neutral and wouldn't go into gear at all. I had to quickly pull into the first driveway, a parking lot, and jam it into gear. After that, I was afraid to try shifting at all!
Hiya jna,
Lee has made the comment that many folks (even those that profess to be Volkswagen mechanics) really don't know much about the AutoStick system. This is sad - but it is very true!
That your mechanic did not properly diagnose and fix this problem the first time around has me concerned. I have access to a list of shops in the Phoenix area that have been rated by aircooled VW enthusiasts. I can forward that to you if you like.
On the other hand, if there is customer loyalty involved with the choice of your current mechanic, that is entirely understandable. But do be sure, to the best of your ability to do so, that the folks you entrust with your car do know what they are doing with an AutoStick. I don't want to see any more posts about close calls in traffic due to an AS malfunction. And I'm just as sure that you don't want to post any entries like that either.