Help, transmission won't shift

[Eric97spyder]

I was driving my 97 Spyder GS home this evening and I noticed that I was having some difficult shifting through the gears. When I came to a stop light I was unable to shift it back into gear. Fortunately, I was on a slight hill and I rolled the car down the hill and it slipped into second gear. I parked it at the near parking lot and stopped the car to check it out. I was unable to get it back into gear again and I had to have it towed home.

I did notice that it would shift if the car wasn't running but if I started the car I could no longer put it back into gear.

When I got it home I check the clutch hydraulic fluid and it appeared to be mostly full, it did look a little low. I check master cylinder and appear a little wet but not leaking.

What could the problem be? Clutch? Shift fork? Slave cylinder?

What's the best way to diagnose the issue?

I'm going to pull apart the shift boot tomorrow and check the shift cable and linkage.

 

[DashLaflash]

I'm having the same exact problem with my 1995 GST. I was driving and the car was shifting fine when suddenly I couln't shift into any gear. I was able to get it back into third and make it home. Now with the car in my driveway it will shift through all gears when the car is off. This is with or without the clutch pushed in which is concerning. As soon as I turn the car on it won't go into any gear. I've been searching around and it seems to be clutch related but I couldn't find a definate answer. I know the thread is from 2009 but I'm hoping Eric97spyder sees this and gives an answer or anyone else that has had a similar problem. I'm going to start problem diagnosis tonight after work. Hopefully its just the slave cylinder or shifter cables. Note: I have an ACT 2600 pressure plate with street disc and ACT throwout bearing.

 

[blakkat]

Check the release bearing, hydraulic travel of the slave as well. the input shaft is obviously not slowing down, ie the clutch is not releasing properly.

 

[ChiTownHussla]

check for leaks at the master and slave cylinders. Any leaks in a sealed hydraulic system can wreak havok and if you continue to drive like this you will eat up your synchros. Trust me.

For master cylinder, go inside car and peel back the boot that the piston from pedal goes thru firewall. IF ANY LLIQUID is present, replace it (preferably with OEM). Also check the slave for leaks by pulling back the boot. It should be bone dry as well. If any leaks replace with OEM

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Check for leaks, check for loose bell housing bolts, and lastly check for broken clutch parts in the bellhousing. Most common of the latter would be a damaged/broken disk.

 

[Racejunkie05]

Sounds like clutch failure since it shifts into any gear while its turned off. Pump the pedal a few times and if it still wont go into gear id say its the clutch. Won't know till you look. Even with a leaky slave, i could still get mine into gear if i pumped it a few times.

 

[DashLaflash]

Ok so I was able to take a look at things. I pulled back the boot on the slave and I didn't notice any leaks. I tried pushing in the slave by hand and it didn't budge. I found this shocking because I adjusted the clutch according to jack's transmission's video and it was previously movable by hand. Well after some pushing I ended up being able to move the clutch fork in the up and down direction. Am I correct in saying this isn't supposed to move at all in the north south direction? When i move the clutch fork up and down the slave cylinder rod moves with it. It has a lot of slop in it. Does this mean my slave cylinder is just bad or is there a much larger problem at hand?

 

[blakkat]

I have never done the clutch yet on this car so correct me if I am wrong but there is a pivot ball that allows that sort of slop which is normal. If you said the slave should be movable by hand but now it isn't then you should check your master, since hydraulic fluid is a non compressible fluid something is binding on the other end that's making the slave difficult to move.

 

[Total Eclipse]

Could also be the TOB. The TOB should keep the shift fork aligned and not alow execive movement up and down. Try pulling off the rubber cover on the inspection hole of the bell housing and looking in there. Also, is there any noise in that area when the clutch is disengaged?

Nate

 

[GSXturboSPOOOL]

i hate to say this but i believe it internal, same thing happened to me and i had to replace some clutch forks. i guess i should ask, is the car stuck in any of the gears or is it still in neutral.? because if it's stuck in a gear you definitely blew a clutch fork or a roller pin for your clutch fork.

 

[DashLaflash]

The car is currently sitting on jack stands. I'm waiting for some free time so I can pull the transmission and see what's going on. The car is not stuck in gear. I can shift through all the gears when the car is not running. I think I broke the clutch fork or the ACT throwout bearing. I will report back when I see what's going on.

 

[Teezy]

Try re-adjusting the master cylinder, and changing your tranny fluid, that would be the first thing I would do. If that doesn't work, it's most likely a bad clutch.

 

[kayosfrawg]

I think you are on the right track with the clutch fork. Mine did the same thing to me, one of the ends of the fork snapped off and luckily got stuck in the rubber grommet so no damage to my fidanza flywheel. hope it is that simple for you too.

 

[DashLaflash]

Thanks for all the help guys. I pulled the transmission and I ended up breaking the ACT throwout bearing. This thread is resolved for me.