She shifts before she starts, she starts, she runs, but she won't shift...

[CSS]

Never had this happen before...put my '72 AS into neutral and she started right up but absolutely would not go into any gear without massive force... Thanks in advance to all who sympathize!  CSS

[volkenstein]

CSS,
      If it "just happened all of a sudden" and was working fine, I would suggest a vacuum test of the clutch servo. The rubber diaphragms can tear. Second place would be your vacuum hoses, check them all - do that anyway!.

Up on jack stands and underneath the beast for you. There's been a few posts that cover "how to".

Welcome anyway!


HTH
Volkenstein

[CSS]

Thanks much. Will scour the "how tos" to learn how I can, as I am quite new to the AS scene.  CSS

[Bookwus]

Hiya CSS,

Another welcome!

Are you getting any sort of grinding noise when you try to shift into gear?

[CSS]

Thanks for the welcome! The gears are grinding as I TRY to get into a gear. But it is extremely difficult to move the gearshift at all into any gear. Make sense? No problem moving the gearshift before I fire her up, though.

[68autobug]

Hi,
it sounds like a simple case of the clutch servo not working..
It happened to Me recently - because I had not tightened a hose clamp on the clutch servo

You will probably find that if you can put the rear end off the ground
[on jack stands] that You will be able to change the gears and the wheels will turn..
this will ONLY happen if the emergency [hand] brake is OFF...

so, it can be the vacuum hose to the servo or the hose to the control valve etc..
best to renew all of them if they are old.. or you don't know how old they are..
Don't use water hose - auto bypass water hose - its too soft -

If these hoses are the cotton covered type [VW genuine hose]
they can be cracked but You cannot see the cracks...

Once you have renewed the vacuum hoses 1/2 inch or 12.7mm
high pressure hose is OK... although Sean and Mike like the original type hoses.. lol

and good quality hose clamps...

and I believe your problem will disappear...   [I hope] lol

If it doesn't, it may be the clutch servo diaphram.... as suggested above...

cheers

LEE


http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[Bookwus]

Hiya CSS,

Lee has it right - follow his advice.

Check out your hoses (if your larger vacuum hoses look original - they'll look like they have a braided covering - be sure that braiding is metal, not cloth) and their connections.  If all is well there take a close look at your clutch servo.

[CSS]

Thanks all.  Under the lovely orange SB I will go at the first opportunity. Actually, one of the hoses from the control valve I noticed today is, indeed, split...  What, exactly, would I be looking at (for) on the servo? Will it be apparent? I appreciate all the great advice and good humor.  CSS

[68autobug]

Hi,
the only way You can tell if the servo is damaged/leaking is to take the hose off it
and push the servo adjuster arm back into the servo...  not easy..  lol
then hold You finger over the hose connector and then let go the servo adjuster
Your finger should hold the vacuum and the adjuster shouldn't go back in...

another way is to place a clean piece of hose onto the servo hose connection
and place it in Your mouth - and suck...
the adjuster and clutch arm will move...  if you suck hard enough....   lol

I am not responsible for any bad tastes You might find doing this..
I have done it... a few times on different servos..  [all worked]

If You take the pin out of the adjuster - You will be able to push the adjuster in...
and place your finger over the hose connector - and this will confirm if it works....
the pin has two plastic bushes which can be a pain to replace when pushing the pin back in..

although after doing it about 20-30 times, I know have no problems putting the pin into the clutch arm/servo adjuster..

cheers

LEE

[CSS]

Thanks again Lee!  Quick question: the hose from the control valve to the vacuum reservoir was disintegrating and i pulled it out.  I plan on swapping out all the hoses but could this hose, alone, be the problem?  CSS

[Bookwus]

Hiya CSS,

Possibly, it depends on your exact situation.

The purpose of the vacuum reserve tank is to hold a "vacuum reserve".  This reserve allows you to shift in the morning when you first start up your car (and before it has had the opportunity to build up a vacuum itself). 

In any event it sure sounds as if that particular hose needs replacing.

[Barb]

Just got mine fixed... same problem  the wire from the shifter was broken.. works great now.

[CSS]

Everyone:

Here's one for the books ...

I replaced the hose from the control valve to the vacuum reservoir (at much personal expense to my knuckles, fingers and patience, as 36 year old hoses simply do not wish to be dislodged). Started the car up.  Same result--no gears.  As I hung my head, dejected, I noticed the red fuse at my feet.  Could it be the culprit?  Placed it in an empty fuse slot.  Nothing.  Moved it a few places over.  And voila! Engaged gears and a beautiful drive on a late summer's day!!! I suppose the fuse runs the contact that energizes he control valve?  In any case, I am still going to replace my decrepit old hoses!  Thanks again to everyone for their insight.  I am keeping all the advice because no doubt these type of things are not uncommon to the breed.  And I'll also no doubt be checking in from time to time to commiserate with all our fellow (and special) AS owners!  CSS

[68autobug]

Hi,
that hose being replaced has fixed this problem...

but its best to replace all the hoses then You know You can drive about without problems for a long time...

and no breaking down on the roads...

cheers

LEE