My First Autostick - Slips In Gear... help a newbie?

[68Autostick]

Actually, its my first VW bug but I'm experience with aircooled bikes and lots of water cooled engines. But the engine is not my problem, the little 1500 purs nicely. My first problem is with the vacuum diaphram which leaks and makes getting into gear a grinding experience. Don't laugh but thanks to the previous owner, I have an access hole behind the rear seat so I tied a rope to the clutch lever for a bit of manual diaghram assistance. Now it goes into gear without grinding and I can feel the clutch re-engage ( lever returns  too) but either the torque converter or clutch disk slips bad. It seams to move better at idle in reverse than it does in forward, and revving gets you nowhere. I tried adjusting the control valve on the left side of the engine compartment but it made no difference. Checked my ATF too, any other suggestions as to how to diagnose the problem, before I yank it all apart. I have a manual trans with pressure plate, disk and flywheel and if I can't figure this out, I'm contemplating going to a standard clutch. Help me save my auto stick, I like the idea of keeping it.

- Mike

[Brooky]

Easy Mike,
I've got a '68 auto as well. Absolutely bog standard 1500, totally original & running well. It's really my Dads car but he's getting a bit long in the tooth to be driving it regularly any more, so now I get to use it whenever I want! Cool. Anyway, as I too am not totally familiar with the auto system yet I don't have much advice of my own but the Troubleshooting
section of this website seems pretty comprehensive in terms of possible faults. It does sound from your description of the symptoms as if the cause lies with the clutch itself, rather than any control malfunction. Could it not just be worn out & slipping in the same way as a normal transmission system would with a worn out clutch? Hope you get it sorted mate. All the best,
Brooky.

[68Autostick]

I found the problem, which cured both issues. The vacuum clutch actuator rod needed to be adjusted so that the clutch could fully disengage. Now the trans shifts well and the car drives. Unfortunately the engine started running very poorly on my test drive so I'll have to come back nad run a full tune up. Thanks for your help.

[68AutoBug]

I found the problem, which cured both issues. The vacuum clutch actuator rod needed to be adjusted so that the clutch could fully disengage. Now the trans shifts well and the car drives. Unfortunately the engine started running very poorly on my test drive so I'll have to come back nad run a full tune up. Thanks for your help.

The Main problems with the autosticks is the clutch rod adjustment.. if this is adjusted correctly, You will have very little problems and the clutch plate will last a very long time as it cannot slip like a standard clutch...
although Yours has been slipping, so maybe You may have to replace the clutch plate sooner rather than later.... I have read where a standard clutch plate can be used with a small modification... Best of Luck

[68Autostick]

Once I took a closer look at the engine and the Chilton manual I found that the previous owner had the firing order completely wrong and a list of other misadjusted items (amazing it ran at all). Once the vacuum was stabalized the engine ran beautifly and strong and the autostick worked exceptionally well. Unforunately, I aquireda free dodge dart and had to sell one of the projects so the Autostick went to a friend. Getting rid of the 69 dart this weekend so maybe I can pick up another VW. Hoping for a 68 type 3. Thanks for the insight.