AutoStick shifter question?

[raynkel]

Before I dig into my shifter I have a question. How does it work? I know slight pressure on the stick activates the clutch, but how does the switch work? Is it an actual switch? I ask because I have just bought my beetle and the auto-stick is acting up. I noticed the wire going to the shifter sparks if I wiggle it, so I am assuming that is my problem.  Any pictures to assist?

Thanks

[greenghia]

Hello, I'll try to explain without pictures but a picture is always worth a thousand words! The shifter is essentially in two parts. The top part of the shifter is held away from the bottom part by a spring. If you have ever taken apart a click type ball point pen you can translate the ink cartridge being held in the case by the spring until you push on the clicker to overcome the spring.  The analogy breaks down because instead of pushing directly down on the shifter, the shifter normally makes contact by way of leaning to overcome the spring.  When you move the top part you overcome the spring pressure holding the two halves apart. There is a contact point on the top part and another on the bottom part. When the spring pressure is overcome(you moved the shifter) the two points come in contact with each other and make the connection that tells the control valve solenoid to activate. Sparking is not normal, I would go ahead and clean the points and make sure the wire is not broken.

[volkenstein]

Piccies can be found on page 7 of this tech forum in "Stick Shift Wire Repair" started by Dfrommi.

Other piccies are on Page 7 of the old tech forum in "your gearstick exposed" by moi. The stop plate has the wrong orientation though.....

Log in to see the pics.


HTH
Volkenstein

[Bookwus]

Hiya Ray,

Welcome to the forum!  Glad to have you aboard.

Good information has already been posted but I thought I'd add......................

The primary electrical function of the gearshift lever is to provide a momentary ground for the control valve solenoid which is always hot.  The driver accomplishes this by moving the gearshift lever and, in so doing, closes the so-called contact points and makes that momentary ground.  That completes a circuit to the CV solenoid which activates the CV.

The "points" are actually nothing more than an insulated wire soldered to a brass disc.  That disc sits in the base of the shift lever in an insulated pocket (so to speak).  As green noted (nice analogy to a ball point pen!) the top of the shift lever is held away from the base by a spring.  When the resistance of that spring is overcome by the force of the driver moving the gearshift lever, the lever top contact the brass disc and a ground is made.

The shift lever assembly should be regularly maintained.  One important part of that maintenance is checking (and adjusting) the gap between the contact surfaces in the gearshift lever.

And a note from experience.............  The wire from the brass disc...........it is insulated and it leads down from the brass disc and through the base.  It then exits the base of the shift lever through a small hole in the base.  It is at this point that the insulation may tend to break down and expose the copper wire.

[raynkel]

Bare wire was my problem. Upon unscrewing the shifter the wire pulled out of the contact. I was able to get that fixed though. I will look at the other threads for more information.

My next big project is two broken connections on my convertible top...