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Transmission jammed! Need help

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97DSModded

10+ Year Contributor
52
0
Apr 25, 2010
Marion, Virginia
I was merging onto the interstate one day a few months ago, and when I went shift the car from 3rd to 4th, it wouldn't budge. The tranny was stuck in 3rd gear.

I was very busy with school and work, so I had no time to work on it. One day, I finally had a day to work on it. To my surprise, we popped it out of 3rd using minimal/moderate force on the shifter lever on the tranny using a prybar. I drove the car around town without any problems. I parked the car and let it set for a few minutes.

When I got in the car to put it in reverse, my problems started all over again...it was worse this time. The shifter lever is in neutral, and won't engage in any gear. When you let out of the clutch, the car acts like it wants to pull forward, but yet it won't budge. It's like you're trying to disengage the clutch while you have the e-brake on, or pressing the brake pedal while doing so.

I feel like this was caused by the shifter itself. It is wayyy out of adjustment, and the throws are very long. I feel like the tranny itself isn't damaged (Sheppard tranny), but just locked up. Anyone else ever had this problem? What possibly locked up inside the transmission? I'm not very knowledgeable about them, so any insight would be very helpful.
 
Unfortunately 2g's don't have adjustable shift cables, so there's not much you can do in that area. I would start looking into your master and slave cylinders first. If they are failing in any way then your clutch might not be disengaging fully, which could prevent you from shifting between gears. If clutch hydraulics are not the culprit then I would start looking into a bent shift fork.
 
Unfortunately 2g's don't have adjustable shift cables, so there's not much you can do in that area. I would start looking into your master and slave cylinders first. If they are failing in any way then your clutch might not be disengaging fully, which could prevent you from shifting between gears. If clutch hydraulics are not the culprit then I would start looking into a bent shift fork.

If this helps any, I had to replace the shifter cable in my car a few months ago because the old one snapped. I just don't understand how I would get it unstuck, drive it around fine, then get stuck again? Could this be a low fluid problem?

Any other suggestions guys? I'm trying to sell the car without putting a ton of money back in it just to fix it.
 
I could possibly be low fluid, have you even checked it?

Just checked the fluid earlier today. It was right on the money on full. I tried jacking the car in the air and tried to see if the wheels would turn when I let out of the clutch. Nothing.
 
Sounds like you may have a major clutch or tranny problem. But just in case you don't here are some easy things to check.

Are shifter cables bolted securely to tranny so they can't move? http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/261057-shifter-cable-adjustment.html#post151218543.

Look at the position of the shift levers on the tranny in each gear to see if they are correct.

Also check out these shifter mods:
Symborski Shifter Kit

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...wheel-bearings-merged-12-6-a.html#post1822461

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/mai...t-fifth-gear-grinding-help.html#post152266167
 
Thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna check it out today and hopefully I can work the tranny out like I did last time
 
One of my friends broke the tip of his shift selector wide open throttle shifting. His car had the same exact symptoms as yours.
 
Check that slave sylinder..

Oh and you may have thrown a spring on your Clutch disc.. When that happens.. You will get stuck in gear and also lose your ability to disengage the clutch..
 
hate to bring this back alive. Had an issue twice today where 3rd gear would get stuck. Had to get out and rock the car to get it to dislodge. Drove it for couple more hours no issues. Than just happens randomly when slowing down. Not sure whats going on. Just got it built. Little scared whats going on. Any ideas? (Its 5 speed 2g gst trans) also has front bushing.
 
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