Stuck in 2nd
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
Stuck in 2nd
Went to Supermarket and when I went to leave I noticed when I went to back out my car stalled, upon further review I noticed I could not get the car in any gear, but when I let the clutch out the car is in 2nd gear, so I got the car home, anyone have any ideas on what wrong
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
What's wrong? Obviously, your transmission is stuck in second gear!
You need to get underneath it and have a look see.
Are all 3 shift levers on the side of the transmission perfectly vertical? If yes. You should be in neutral. If they are and your not neutral. Your issue could be inside the transmission if all the nuts holding the levers are tight.
If there not. As in the 1-2 shift lever is pulled into second. But the shifter in the car is in neutral. The issue is with the shifter or rods.
Or perhaps the nut on the shaft of the 1-2 shift lever has come loose. Allowing the lever to move without actually moving the shaft. Thus the lever could be vertical but not engaged on the flats of the shaft. Leaving the transmission in second.
get under her and have a looky see.
You need to get underneath it and have a look see.
Are all 3 shift levers on the side of the transmission perfectly vertical? If yes. You should be in neutral. If they are and your not neutral. Your issue could be inside the transmission if all the nuts holding the levers are tight.
If there not. As in the 1-2 shift lever is pulled into second. But the shifter in the car is in neutral. The issue is with the shifter or rods.
Or perhaps the nut on the shaft of the 1-2 shift lever has come loose. Allowing the lever to move without actually moving the shaft. Thus the lever could be vertical but not engaged on the flats of the shaft. Leaving the transmission in second.
get under her and have a looky see.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,321
Likes: 720
From: Marietta GA
Check to see if the shifter arms are held on with “G Clips” and not cotter pins. On my 73 the cotter pins (someone installed) let the shifter arms flop around, and on one occasion caused the shifter to get stuck in one gear. I replaced some of the cotter pins and also the long pin that allows you to get into reverse, and the problem went away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 964
From: Wauconda IL
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,690
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With the shifter in neutral the 1/2 and 3/4 levers should be straight up and reverse lever should be forward. Loosen the 1/2 lever bolt and make sure the transmission gear shaft is straight up then tighten lever.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 157
From: Miami, FL
I had this problem recently. I could shift into reverse, but not down and over as it was stuck in 2nd if not in reverse. I was stranded late at night. Put a post up here and did a search and quickly found I needed to get underneath and move the levers vertical. I was able to get it up on a curb and shift one lever by hand which put me back in business. I have a brand new replacement repop shifter which was professionally installed.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Always good to hear a success story!