I have a 1973 Ghia with Autostick, I started to have a problems with it a year ago and I haven't been able to figure out what it is, let me tell you, It started in the mornings, I turn the car on and every thing looked fine, but when I put it in first gear the transmission did not engaged, let me be clear that it was very easy to put it on gear, no sound and no problem putting the level in first gear, It felt like the car was turn off and move the level very easy, after a wile of moving up and down the level the car worked fine, then I was driving normally and when I went from 1st gear to 2nd gear the transmission did not engaged, same problem, you could move the level up and down with no problem like when the car is not working, I towed the car to my home, try it again next day, car worked fine for 1 or 2 days then same problem, and this has happen on and off for the last year, so basically till this date I do not know what is the problem, can some one please help me out?, I do not what to move the car anymore because of this
Hello there!
There is only a few things that it could be.
First of all, check and make sure the ATF level is full.
Next, you said that it drove fine then stopped working all of a sudden, that pretty much rules out a smoked clutch.
The system is doing its initial job of disengaging the clutch. The second job of re-engaging the clutch is where the problem lies.
The control valve is the unit with 3 large vacuum hoses and 2 wires going to it on the left side of the engine compartment.
The control valve is either internally jamming in the "clutch disengaged" position, or the power to the control valve is not interrupted when you release the shifter.
The internal shifter contacts provide the ground for the control valve solenoid. If the contacts are adjusted too tight or the shifter is jamming, the control valve will keep the clutch disengaged. The power for the control valve comes from either the coil positive or the ignition (not sure which on a Ghia).
There is also a possibility of the Auto-Stick portion of the electrical harness being shorted to ground intermittantly where it exits the body to go to the transmission. My bug harness shorted out at that spot because the protective rubber grommet disintegrated allowing the harness to chafe on the sharp body edge and caused me the same issue. I pulled the harness back slightly, repaired the wires, and installed a new grommet.
The only other thing is something mechanically jamming the clutch servo or clutch arm underneath the car, though unlikely.
A simple test: Get the car to act up, when it does, have someone sit in the drivers seat. With the engine running, have them shift into any gear and release the shifter. Make sure they have a firm foot on the brake so the car cannot move if the clutch decides to engage. Next you pop the hood and disconnect one of the 2 wires from the control valve. If the clutch engages, then there is a short to ground somewhere. If not, the control valve or the clutch itself is jamming.
My money is on the short to ground. Unfortunately, tracking down any electrical issue is the most annoying and time consuming part, the repair is the simple part.
Good luck, I hope this helps out!
-Evan
Hello, It sounds like you have a problem with the shifter contact points. You may be able to tell if there is a problem by turning the shifter knob(and shaft) a couple turns counterclockwise. If this fixes the problem you are having then you know the shifter needs adjustment, even if it doesn't fix the problem you should still check the adjustment. Heres how. The shifter is in two parts and there is an adjustment bolt on the bottom of the top part that sets a gap between two electrical contact points underneath. I think there are some pictures of the shifter disassembled somewhere on the forum. Pull the shifter boot back and see if the adjustment bolt(big long one) is loose, if it is then just turn the bolt clockwise until it stops (gently) then back the bolt off(counterclockwise) about two turns and tighten the locking bolt(normal bolt just below adjustment bolt). Check also to see that there is no broken wire going to the shifter right where it meets the shift plate. Good Luck
I have photos of the shifter assembly but cannot post pics at the present time..
LEE
Hey sorry to get back to you this late, But I did the changes sugested and the car is working great, thanks a lot for the help, I will look for you again if something else happens to my car, take care
GREAT to see you have fixed the problem..
Most problems with the autostick can be fixed easily..
its just that You need to do it Yourself as there are not many people who can fix them these days..
they have all retired... lol
cheers
Lee in Australia..