1G transmission problems

[TurboTsiTalon]

So I bought my 1990 1g awd talon a few weeks ago and while it isn't quite road worthy yet, it drives somewhat. The problem I'm having is the transmission (manual) won't go into 1st and 3rd gear. I've heard the problem could be as easy as a shift linkage, but most of the other threads only specify one gear not working properly. I'd really like any insight on the issue because I'd really hate to have to swap the transmission out with my spare. If you have any questions I'd be glad to answer them.

 

[92AWDHX40]

It very well could be bad gears or linkage needs to be adjusted or clutch, especially if you don't know condition of the transmission.

 

[impossible]

Hi,
did I understand you right, that you bought the car with this damage?
If yes, what did the pre owner told you?
Maybe he have exactly the right information what it could be, because he already tried to fix it or whatever.
Could be a trace

Otherwise it really could be anything which belongs to the gear shift...
A bit more information would be great:

Are the problems only in idle?
What about gear changing if the engine isn´t running?

Regards

 

[TurboTsiTalon]

Hi,
did I understand you right, that you bought the car with this damage?
If yes, what did the pre owner told you?
Maybe he have exactly the right information what it could be, because he already tried to fix it or whatever.
Could be a trace

Otherwise it really could be anything which belongs to the gear shift...
A bit more information would be great:

Are the problems only in idle?
What about gear changing if the engine isn´t running?

Regards

So on idle the shift feels like it isn't long enough to catch first gear, when the car is off it feels like it is engaging.

 

[dj1263]

Those are good questions but see if you can have someone look at your shift linkage under the hood looking down under the intake while your trying to engage the gear, see if they see anything getting hung up or something - do it while its idling and when its off

 

[EVO9_Inside]

my bet in on linkage. based on the fact that 1/3/5 are all on the forward portion of the gearbox, 5th gear may just be able to slip in, because otherwise, 1 and 3 have nothing in common really.

 

[DSM1G90]

Linkage adjustment down at the shifter base is needed. Take out the console to get to this area.

First, take off the SHIFT and SELECT cables from the tranny's connection points. The SELECT has three levels: LOW is 1st and 2nd, Middle is 3rd and 4th and HIGH is 5th and Reverse. With the SELECT in each position, the SHIFT connector should move back and forth to simulate the entrance in each gear.

If you have no problems in this area rowing through the five gears, then I'd point to the linkage that needs to adjust the two cables.

-DSM

 

[Boostdriven]

First look at your shifter in neutral position, it should should be relatively straight up, if it looks like its leaning forward to much then you will need to make adjustments to the cable under the center counsel. You will have to turn the adjuster on the cable in such way that it shrinks the cable moving the shifter towards the back. Adjust it till the shifter is relatively straight up. Another thing to check is your linkage bushings on both cables by the tranny and the shift tower in the car. Mainly the ones by the tranny will wear out first due to being exposed to heat and weather, the ones inside the car are more then likely still good, I never really seen those go bad. Also check to make sure that all the retainer clips (C clips) that hold the cables in place are properly installed. If your shifter is already straight up and the bushings check out to be good then you might have a broken cable.

Those cables are designed to both pull and push. 1st, 3rd and 5th gears are all being pulled in to gear by the cable, 2nd, 4th and Reverse are all being pushed in to gear by the cable, so if the cable is broken or almost broken it will still engage 2nd, 4th and Reverse with out any issues but when you go to put it in to 1st, 3rd or 5th the cable has to pull and if it has a weak spot in it then it will stretch there not allowing a full motion to the shifter arm on the tranny therefore not engaging the gear. When the engine is running it take more force on the slider ring to engage the gear due to moving parts and less force when the engine is off. That possibly explains why it feels like it goes in to gear when the car is off but will not go in to gear when the car is on.

When the engine is off and the car in neutral, pop the hood and manually shift the tranny in to 3rd gear then go inside the car and push on the shifter forward as if you were trying to put it in to 3rd gear. If the cable has a bad spot in it then the shifter will feel a bit spongy and will move forward until it bottoms out in the shift tower. If the cable is bad then there isn't any adjusting you can do to it to make it work, it will have to be replaced.

 

[cliffkemp]

If it is the clutch, have the car on a flat surface and hold the clutch in and put into gear. Rev the motor while pushing the clutch in. If the car starts to creep forward, your clutch is not disengaging properly and refer to Jack's fix on this by adjusting your clutch properly. A dragging clutch can cause all kinds of issues over time and will kill the transmission. The best thing to do is, to find a stock shifter unit and go from there, if you think the linkage is off.