Difficulty shifting

[Calypso]

Alright, 2 days ago, my car became really hard to shift. It was doing fine, then I tried to shift in to 3rd, and it would not go. 4th didn't work either. So, I came to a stop, and it would NOT go into 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. I finally got it into first and drove off, but it is still really hard to get into any gear, really. 4th and 5th aren't too bad, but I'm also moving when I'm shifting into those gears, so maybe that has something to do with it. I also noticed it shifts perfectly fine while the car is off. Turn the engine on, and it's still hard to shift.

I tried adjusting the clutch pedal. Alot. Nothing happens. I was also told that my clutch cable may be stretched. I tried putting washers on the cable between that plate that comes off the transmission and the white/yellow bushing thing on the "rear" of that plate. (this worked on someone elses car, cause his bushing was shot, I guess. But they used some sort of spacer, not washers. Same Idea though). But that still didn't do anything. After I put washers on, the clutch pedal was really stiff. That didn't change the shifting, though. Then I pulled the clutch pedal up, and it clicked, but it doesn't do that unless I put washers in or take them out. I think it may have been a LITTLE easier to shift when there were more washers on it, but I'm not sure.

So, I'm leaning towards it maybe being the quadrant on the clutch pedal, or maybe still something to do with the cable. But I'm not sure. Any suggestions?

-Matt

 

[Bizzy]

The fact that it shifts fine when the car is off prettu much rules out internal issues. I'd be leaning toward something in the shifter mechanism itself, ie: quadrant, cable, the shifter itself. It could also be a problem with the pressure plate or TOB.

The first thing you need to verify is that the shifter is attached under the car as it should be and that it is attached to the transmission as it should be. Also verify that there are no loose or worn internal parts on the shifter. A good visual inspection is certainly in order.

I have also read that bad motor mounts can cause shifting problems however I've never experienced this personally. It doesn't sound like this is your issue though.

 

[Calypso]

I'm pretty sure it is hard to shift because the clutch is not fully disengaging. Hopefully it is something to do with the quadrant, since that shouldn't be too hard to change, just hard to get to.

 

[SHObill]

Matt, have you been rev'ing up that new car?!! Sounds like a cluth issue-PP strap or TOB. Thats what happened to the 90. Rivet let loose & lost a strap due to over rev!