Edel gives me a scare

[Cobey]

It's a typical morning.  Cold, dark, top down, freezing my butt off.  I stopped off at the gas station to fill up, then head down the freeway.  After 30 minutes, I hop onto the off ramp and start slowing down.  Edel doesn't want to shift real well though.  I really have to push to get the stick to move out of 2 and pull hard to get her into L.  Perhaps she was still moving too fast?  Speeding up, I find getting out of L and into 1 is rough, as is getting into 2.

So, cruising along, I'm trying to think what the issue might be.  Maybe need to top off the hypoid oil?  Shift coupler going out?  ATF was just topped off last week.  Checked over all the hoses at the same time.  Hmmm.  Thinking thinking thinking.  And then it happened.

As I roll up on a major intersection, I can't get her into L.  Just as I stop, the light turns green and I still can't get her into gear.  Not into any gear.  "Oh FUCK!" is running through my head as I frantically try to shift.  It's even louder as I hunt for the emergency flashers.  Cars are piling up behind me.  I jump out and run to the back to see if i can spot the trouble.

And there it was.  Green wire to the control valve was hanging loose.  I snapped it back on, jumped back in with my fingers crossed, and shifted.  Ahhh.....she's just fine now.  WHEW!

So, for all you folks out there that find you can't get the shifter to get into gear suddenly - check the wires at the control valve!

[bookwus]

Hiya Cobey,

Yep!  Happened to me too.  Only it was raining when my wire worked its way loose.  Lotta fun!  I crimped the female lead a little tighter and slipped it back into place.  Zooooooom................

Well, I did learn to check over the connections every time I open the rear deck lid.  Hasn't happened since then.

Mike

1970 AS Bug