4 speed shifter problems in first and second gears
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
4 speed shifter problems in first and second gears
Hi all, first post. I picked up my 85 (my first Vette) a few days ago. It seems that I may have a problem in the shifter but I need to know what's normal. It's really tricky to find first gear when sitting still. From neutral, I can wiggle things around enough that it will eventually drop in. Second gear seems to be unreachable with any confidence. It will shift from first to second when leaving a stop light, but I can't seem to get it back into second on a down shift or when sitting still. It also won't downshift directly from second to first, I have to mess around in neutral again. The shifter does drop into reverse very easily and third and fourth gears are no problem.
Any thought, hints, tips, tricks, links??
Any thought, hints, tips, tricks, links??
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 456
Likes: 3
From: Sumner Texas
It's hard to say without actually being AT the car, but I fully expect that you do not have a shifter problem, rather you have a clutch problem.
Start by checking the clutch reservoir to make sure it's full of fluid. With fluid topped off, you will need to bleed the clutch system. Don't overlook the rubber hose on the slave cylinder line. This hose is subject to LOTS of heat due to it's proximity to one of the cats.
I fully expect that with the clutch hydraulics taken care of, your problem will go away.
Keep us posted.
Start by checking the clutch reservoir to make sure it's full of fluid. With fluid topped off, you will need to bleed the clutch system. Don't overlook the rubber hose on the slave cylinder line. This hose is subject to LOTS of heat due to it's proximity to one of the cats.
I fully expect that with the clutch hydraulics taken care of, your problem will go away.
Keep us posted.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
It's hard to say without actually being AT the car, but I fully expect that you do not have a shifter problem, rather you have a clutch problem.
Start by checking the clutch reservoir to make sure it's full of fluid. With fluid topped off, you will need to bleed the clutch system. Don't overlook the rubber hose on the slave cylinder line. This hose is subject to LOTS of heat due to it's proximity to one of the cats.
I fully expect that with the clutch hydraulics taken care of, your problem will go away.
Keep us posted.
Start by checking the clutch reservoir to make sure it's full of fluid. With fluid topped off, you will need to bleed the clutch system. Don't overlook the rubber hose on the slave cylinder line. This hose is subject to LOTS of heat due to it's proximity to one of the cats.
I fully expect that with the clutch hydraulics taken care of, your problem will go away.
Keep us posted.
Could this be a worn reverse lockout mechanism???
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
My first thought was the clutch also....but if you insist that it is working properly, you can try to adjust the shift linkages. The proper way is to insert a drill bit into the side of the shifter, which lines up all the gates in neutral, then you adjust linkages from there. But access to do this sucks, so I just adjust them with the stick in neutral (it is easier if you have someone to hold the stick in one spot) and guess. The tranny levers also must be in neutral. If you mess around with it long enough, you will get it right. You will see once you are under there what needs to be done.
