I was driving down the road. Noticed it was hard to shift, but was still able to. Then i got farther down the road and it just wouldnt shift at all. I turned the car off, I could run though the gears. Start the car up and wouldnt go. Had to get her towed home. Any ideas???
Robert,
Gearstick or vacuum problem. Given it got worse until you couldn't, I'd put someone elses money on either a blown clutch servo bladder or rotten hoses. Plenty of "how to" on how to test for those three. Stick problems is somewhat simpler. Turn car on, press down on the stick and you should be able to hear the solenoid go "click", release stick. It should be 100% repeatable, so try a few times.If it doesn't go "click"...check out the wiring.
HTH
Volkenstein
I have re-built the servo, new bladder and replaced all hoses. I will try the stick. I checked AFT level and fuses are good. I did hear a hissing noise after I shut the car off, by the control valve. I dont know if these things will help.
I have just taken apart my gearshifter and clean contact. put it back together and still nothing.
Robert,
Hmmm..rebuilt/replaced a lot of things? Changes the picture for sure.
Hosing from Belmetric?
Still nothing you say? A bit more info please. Does the solenoid "click" or not, or still no shifting action?
Regards
Volkenstein
I couldnt hear it. Turn the key to the on possition and pushed down couldnt hear it. So I took it apart to clean the contacts put it back together. Could the switch be bad?
Hiya Robert,
There are all sorts of possibilities in this situation.
However, since you just cleaned the contacts in your shift lever..............just in case........did you also set the gap between the points when you reassembled the shift lever?
The shift action in your AutoStick is electrical with a vacuum assist. If something electrical goes out, it usually does so suddenly. One minute it functions, the next minute it does not. Vacuum on the other hand can "wear down" until functions cease. Inasmuch as you originally experienced a declining amount of performance, that would tend to indicate a problem in the vacuum system. That's why Sean mentioned the clutch servo and the hosing - the two most likely sources for vacuum problems.
Do this.............rig up a test light between the wires connecting to the control valve solenoid making sure you disconnect those wires from the solenoid. Then, with key on, have an assistant attempt to shift gears. The light should go on. If it does, you are good to go electrically up to the control valve solenoid. Then remove the solenoid and test it by observing the plunger actually operate. Do not rely just on listening. Once that is done your electrical system is completely cleared. If you still have the problem at that point, it is definitely in the vacuum system.
I did not set the gap points between the contact. I will try this today when I get home from work. The one thing i am learning with this car, is nothing is straite forward. Always seems to be alot of variables.....lol. This looks a bit tricky see how the contact point is inside the gear shift. Thanks as always the info i pick up from here helps put me back on track.
Hi, Have you checked the wire going to the c/v and the fuse in that wire?
Ok the wire to the contact point in the shifter was weak in a couple of spots. So I replaced the wire put it back together with the gap in the contact point. still nothing. no shifting
Hiya Robert,
OK, fast recap so we are all on the same page..................
1. Did you check the in-line fuse to the control valve solenoid?
2. Did you reset the gap on your shift lever points?
3. Did you rig up a test light to the control valve solenoid leads?
4. Have you removed the solenoid to check its function?
Ladz,
Roberts bug is a '73 so there *shouldn't* be an in-line fuse (PO's hack jobs not withstanding >:(). It's powered off the fuse box (fuse 11) so it could in fact be something nasty in that power feed circuit.
Regards
Sean