Can't shift into any gear!

[markdr7]

Well, I was driving home tonight and I had to get off of the highway to get gas. I stopped at a stop sign and heard a light clunk sound that seemed to come from the front right of the car. I got gas and as I was leaving I put the car into 1st and I heard another louder clunk as I started to pull out. I put the car back into neutral and tried going into first again. This time it was hard to get in. I drove 1/4 mile to get on the highway and I couldn't get it into second. So I pulled off of the highway checked all of the shifter linkage everything seemed to be fine. Luckily a courtesy patrol tow truck towed me a little ways. I got back in the car tried it again and what do you know it drove just fine. I finished driving it home about 4 miles. I'm afraid to drive it now. No idea whats wrong! Sorry for the really long explanation, just wanted to make sure I got all the details in it. Thanks

 

[the_mork]

Any changes in the friction point or feel of your clutch? Did you attempt to put it into gear while the engine was off?

It sounds like it may be time for you to bleed your clutch and look for leaks. A quick test is to look at your clutch fluid reservoir and see if it is still full.

 

[markdr7]

I did try to put it into gear with the car off and it went into gear no problem. I didn't notice any more play in the shifter than usual. I'm not sure if it's normal but it has always move left and right in first if I shake it. I also checked the fluid it was full still. As far as the pedal feel I thought that it felt like there wasn't as much pressure as before but I think that was just me trying to over analyze the situation.

 

[the_mork]

Definitely a clutch issue then. Start by bleeding the system and if you continue to have problems then you may have to start troubleshooting the slave cylinder and master cylinder. Watch for leaks.

 

[ShawnsGarage]

If you have always been able to wiggle it back and forth in gear you might have broke the side to side shifter cable. If you look at the cable on the trans one has a vertical end and one has a horizontal end. Remove the cable that has the vertical end and have someone wiggle the shifter back and forth and see if the cable moves in and out on the trans side.

Also check clutch fluid and see if the slave cylinder is pushing the rod in and out.

 

[markdr7]

I guess I 'll start by bleeding the system down, see if that does anything. I would have rather that it been something to do with the engine. I have very little knowledge of transmission and clutch repairs. Oh well though I guess it's as good a time as any to start getting educated on it.

 

[the_mork]

It really isn't all that complicated. Post back with questions and we'll see if we can help you. Like I said start with looking for leaks and bleeding the system.

A quick overview of bleeding a hydraulic system.

Start by filling the reservoir to full.

Have a friend push the pedal to the floor.

Open the bleeder valve (watch out fluid will squirt out and it would be bad to get it into your eyes).

Close the bleeder valve before your friend lets up on the pedal.

Pump the pedal until full pressure reappears.

Check your fluid reservoir and fill as needed.

Repeat until there are no air bubbles coming out of the bleeder and you are sure that the system is fully air free.

 

[Jeff99GS]

Well, I was driving home tonight and I had to get off of the highway to get gas. I stopped at a stop sign and heard a light clunk sound that seemed to come from the front right of the car. I got gas and as I was leaving I put the car into 1st and I heard another louder clunk as I started to pull out. I put the car back into neutral and tried going into first again. This time it was hard to get in. I drove 1/4 mile to get on the highway and I couldn't get it into second. So I pulled off of the highway checked all of the shifter linkage everything seemed to be fine. Luckily a courtesy patrol tow truck towed me a little ways. I got back in the car tried it again and what do you know it drove just fine. I finished driving it home about 4 miles. I'm afraid to drive it now. No idea whats wrong! Sorry for the really long explanation, just wanted to make sure I got all the details in it. Thanks

Hmmm, the loud Clunk is what im concerned about. I would pop off the inspection plate and shine a flashlight up in the bell housing. See if there is any loose parts that may have broke off. What kind of clutch do you have?

 

[Defiant]

Look for broken bolts on the axle bearing carrier, under the A/C on the back/bottom of the block.