Shifted fine yesterday- no shift today

SpyCarHippie · 07 October 2009, 14:20

So the car has been shifting fine since I adjusted my clutch servo a couple of weeks ago and even better since I added the correct vacuum port to my manual carb.

Drove to work and home yesterday with no problems except a little more grinding than usual going into reverse.

This morning there was harsh grinding when looking for reverse and it would not go into low or first. With a little pressure I could get it into 2nd.

I crawled under the car and adjusted the clutch servo a half turn but it made no difference. Then I drove the mini van to work.

This problem seems sudden. Is it possible that it is in the shifter? I only have the Clymer manual and it is not clear to me how to adjust the shift stick. The shift knob/stick turns freely. Is this normal?

Thanks,
Dave

68autobug · 07 October 2009, 14:41

Hi Dave,
it could be a few things..
Your diaphram in the clutch servo may be leaking..
You need someone to move the gearshifter while You are looking at the clutch servo..

easy problems are hoses leaking..
Have you renewed the vacuum hoses...

If the small vacuum hose is leaking, or disconnected..
it can take up to 5 seconds for the control valve to release vacuum from the tank..
the wire at the bottom of the gearshifter may have broken off...

make sure there is power at the control valve..
one side is POWER from the ignition coil +

the other terminal goes to the gearshifter switch in the gearshifter base..

What shouldn't have happened... is the clutch control arm came loose...
these are usually very tightly clamped...

You need to make sure the clutch servo and control valve ARE working, and that ALL the hoses are like new..
the old original vacuum hoses that VW used are very old now and need replacing...
because of the cotton covering, You can't see where its cracked...

It is unusual most of the time for the problem to be expensive..
these autosticks were made extremly well are very robust...

cheers

Lee

68autobug · 07 October 2009, 15:13

Hi again Dave,
I just reread your post and when Your gearshifter ie the shaft turns...
it will move the points in the lower part of the stick...
this has happened to me a few times lately
as My stick was also loose... and when I went to shift.. crunch
as the points weren't close enough to close and allow gear shifting..

it seems the normal thing for the gear shifter rod to undo, ie widening the gap..
turn the gear knob clockwise... and the gap will close up...
and you should be able to change gears etc...
there is a locknut to tighten the gearshifter points so this won't happen...
its inside the rubber boot...

hopefully, this may be the answer to your problem....

Make sure You readjust the clutch servo again... 1/2 a turn..
just so you can engage reverse without crunching...

cheers

Lee Noonan

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SpyCarHippie · 07 October 2009, 15:33

Thanks for the quick reply Autobug.

I'm going to check the shaft thing as soon as I get home. I hope it's that simple. The problem seemed to occur suddenly and my kids like to sit in the Spy Car (Ghia).

If that's not it, Does this make sense to try next?

-Turn the car on but don't start the motor.
-Move the shifter and listen for clutch movement.
-Have my kid move the shifter while I crawl under the car and watch for the arm on the servo to move.

If it doesn't move or moves slowly, check hoses etc.

What if it does move but still won't shift?

I guess I'm getting ahead of myself

Thanks for your help,
Dave

68autobug · 07 October 2009, 15:42

Normally Dave,

the vacuum tank will hold about 6-10 gear shifts after the engine has stopped..
[but with the ignition turned on]

so, start the engine, run for a few minutes to fill the vacuum tank..

then try the things You mentioned...

the gearshifter itself should not turn around..
unless the points adjustment nut is loose..

so, if Your gearknob is tight and you can still turn it
then thats Your problem....

cheers

LEE 12.42am local daylight saving time EST

SpyCarHippie · 07 October 2009, 15:51

Got it.

Thanks,
Dave

SpyCarHippie · 08 October 2009, 03:50

I didn't get the opportunity to crawl under the car while someone moved the shifter after running the car for a few minutes.

I did try adjusting the shifter shaft and it made no difference.

I crawled under the car and noticed that the 12mm line coming from the servo to the control valve was in bad shape. Steel wire sticking out in one place and it seemed to almost pivot at the connection to the servo (although I couldn't see the connection point). I think this line may be the culprit. Does this make sense?

I ran the car for a few minutes then shut the motor off. With the ignition switch on I tried to shift. The first shift I heard a hiss of air. All shifts after that was just the sound of something moving. No air sound. Shifts fine with the motor off though.

The few times I could get it into 1st range with the engine running the idle dropped significantly and it felt like the car really wanted to go forward.

I'm sure I need hoses. I plan to replace servo to control valve and control valve to carb and I'm hoping that will fix my problem.

Am I on the right track?

Belmetrics or a hydraulic repair shop seem to be my best options from reading this forum. Can anyone attest to the usefulness of the Mercedes brake line I've read about on this forum? From what I've read the jury's still out on that one.

What exactly do I ask for at the hydraulic repair joint?

Sorry if I sound kinda' stupid about this. I'm learning and I really want to understand my strange little car.

Thanks,
Dave

Bookwus · 08 October 2009, 05:05

Hiya Dave,

Quote from: SpyCarHippie on 08 October 2009, 03:50
......I crawled under the car and noticed that the 12mm line coming from the servo to the control valve was in bad shape. Steel wire sticking out in one place and it seemed to almost pivot at the connection to the servo (although I couldn't see the connection point). I think this line may be the culprit. Does this make sense?

Oh, this makes sense big-time!

Quote...I'm sure I need hoses.

Sure sounds like you do!

Quote.... I plan to replace servo to control valve and control valve to carb and I'm hoping that will fix my problem.

Good start. Don't forget the hose to your vacuum reservoir tank and make sure you use brand new clamps on all connections.

Quote....Am I on the right track?

I'm thinking that you are.

Quote....Belmetrics or a hydraulic repair shop seem to be my best options from reading this forum. Can anyone attest to the usefulness of the Mercedes brake line I've read about on this forum? From what I've read the jury's still out on that one.

Jury's in and verdict rendered.................The hose from Mercedes Benz is the exact same hose as from BelMetric. Matter of fact, BelMetric supplies Mercedes Benz. You can get the hose from MB for just a little bit cheaper than BelMetric when you figure in the cost of BelMetric's shipping. You may or may not be able to walk away from the MB parts counter with the hose. Some dealerships will stock it; others will have to order it out from their regional warehouse. Whatever the case, you will have it in hand more quickly than ordering from BelMetric.

Quote....What exactly do I ask for at the hydraulic repair joint?

If you really want to go this route (and I would suggest that you do not) just tell the counterman what the application is like. And that the original hosing was 12mm wire reinforced. He should be able to set you up with something that will do the job.

68autobug · 08 October 2009, 13:50

Hi Dave,

Yes, I agree with Mike...
Hoses usually need replacing by now...

and once you have replaced those , You will know that hoses won't be a problem in the future
unless You forget to tighten a hose clamp... lol

cheers

LEE

SpyCarHippie · 08 October 2009, 16:11

Thanks Lee and Mike,

I am waiting to hear back from the local Mercedes dealer on the hose. Hopefully I can get something going by the weekend. Long shot I know. I Can dream cant I?

Are there special clamps I should use or would regular hose clamps work?

Thanks,
Dave

68autobug · 08 October 2009, 17:51

JUst use good quality hose clamps...
Tridon or Utilux etc... or Norma clamps

cheers

LEE

SpyCarHippie · 08 October 2009, 18:13

Thanks Lee.

Quality clamps shouldn't be a problem.

My hose should be in at the Mercedes shop on Saturday. I guess I know what I'll be doing Saturday afternoon. Along with listening to the wife complain about what I'm doing Saturday afternoon.

Dave

hercdriver · 08 October 2009, 23:23

Quote from: SpyCarHippie on 08 October 2009, 18:13
Along with listening to the wife complain about what I'm doing Saturday afternoon.

Dave

I think we may be married to the same woman.

Dave

68autobug · 09 October 2009, 02:19

Quote from: hercdriver on 08 October 2009, 23:23
Quote from: SpyCarHippie on 08 October 2009, 18:13
Along with listening to the wife complain about what I'm doing Saturday afternoon.

Dave

I think we may be married to the same woman.

Dave

Does She have a sister in Australia??
Sounds like My Wife... lol

LEE

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SpyCarHippie · 11 October 2009, 03:17

Update:

My vacuum line won't be in till Tuesday so today I stuck a piece of heater hose between the servo and control valve. Now she's shifting OK but I had to adjust the clutch arm/servo adjustment thing quite a bit to get it to go into reverse without grinding.

I find it odd that I would have to adjust at all just because I replaced a hose. Could the more flexible hose make this kind of adjustment necessary?

By the way: wife went out with the girls this afternoon so all I had to listen to was the radio. Life is good sometimes.

Dave