My trans seems locked up and I feel like I am overlooking something real simple. Iam trying to move the shift shafts with a wrench. I can only get reverse to move. The other 2 are stuck in the up and down neutral position. They only rock a slight bit with the wrench. I did notice a solenoid on the second shaft like maybe thats a lockout. What are some things I can try to get the shafts to move. They use to move.

 

The solenoid is actually a switch and not the problem, if you can't get it to move through the gates after moving wheels or a little tap of starter. You may need to pull the side cover and inspect things and check out side cover for problems.

 

It could be that the transmission is simply stuck at a position between teeth. It may just need to be rocked a bit with the clutch pushed in to get it into gear. If you're underneath, and rear wheels are off the ground, try rocking the driveshaft back and forth. Also, put the shift levers on the shafts. It's much easier to move with them on, and you don't want to screw them up with pliers or a loose wrench. They're almost impossible to replace.

 

Hello. It could be a number of things.
First, inside the cover is a locking ball detent that is spring loaded and engages both shift arms, when one shift arm is in gear the other is locked out, for example when the 1-2 arm is in 1st or 2nd the 3-4 arm is locked out and vice versa. You may have a problem there.
Second, the shift arms engage shift forks that contact sliders on the main shaft. You have a 1-2 slider and a 3-4 slider I highly doubt that both are jammed but who knows.
You could also have jammed synchro's in there that are jamming thing up as well. If its a slider or a synchro you looking at a rebuild for sure.
You will have to remove the side cover and investigate. Hope this helps.

 

Some people have said that I 1st need a functional clutch first before I pull he cover, others say no. Which is it. and is it possible to pull the cover in a C4 while in the car?

 

Before you venture any further there are a couple of things you should have and do so Not to be Bit In the ***, first get the proper 8 point? socket for square plugs 9/16?. Don't even try with an open end you will fail and Not Be Happy. make sure you can get the fill plug out. Because once drained is not the time to find it's jammed up, have your replacement gear oil and RTV or New Gasket in case the old one is trashed, and it probably will be. NOW a BIG DO NOT,
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN PLUGS, especially the drain plug I have seen cases CRACKED from over tightening. As for the fill plug you want to get it out in future.

The side cover can be pulled with transmission in and exhaust in, it's not a big deal. Drain transmission and take bolts out of cover and it's off and out.

 

A functioning clutch is not an issue at this point. Yes, you can pull the cover with the trans in the car. You may want to drop exhaust for more room, your call.

1. Drain trans oil and look closely as its draining for small brass particles if excessive you may have worn synchro’s, this is normal over a period of time.

2. Put a large washer and nut one both shifter arms, you want them to come out with the cover. If they fall out the back of the cover, you will drop the small locking ***** and spring if they fall into the trans your screwed.

3. Remove the cover with the shifter arm attached and try to move each arm separately into each gear. The front arm is the 3-4 and the rear is 1-2. Move arm to 1st or 2nd and the 3-4 should be locked, then try the 3-4 the same way, your problem may be right there.

4. With cover removed you will see two shift forks on the two sliders, remove the shift forks from the sliders and using a small pry bar carefully try to move each slider back and forth they should move if not that is most likely the problem. There are 3 small keys that are installed in the sliders that mate with a hub on the main shaft, if a key falls out of place that will jam the slider for sure. You may have to jiggle the drive shaft a little to get the sliders to move.

5. If your sliders are jammed the trans will have to be dropped and taken apart.

Hope this helps.

 

I turned the overdrive over by hand and checked the clutch clearance via the air test. With rear wheels off the ground it turns over smoothly. I thought I had checked the T-10 and it shifted via a wrench. I didnt touch it but it was bone dry and looked slightly rusty inside. It goes into reverse ok which seems strange because thats non syncro. I am going to pressure bleed the clutch and hopefully I can get the for to move 3/4". If not the new rockauto parts are junk. If it does work then onto removing the cover.

 

So i jacked up the rearend and had my son spin the wheels while i pumped the clutch and i managed to get it into 1st and second. No 3rd or 4th. I still think its the clutch. Any tricks i can try for 3rd and 4th?