93 Sundance will not shift into any gear.

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Shaun Q, Jun 28, 2005.

  1. Shaun Q

    Shaun Q Guest

    Can anyone help me with this?

    My 93 Sundance was backing up today and after I tried to shift (it's a
    manual trans) into first, I was unable to push it into gear. I'm
    unable to push it into any gear whatsoever -- 1 thru 5 or reverse. It
    starts to move that way but don't go past the point where it would
    click into gear. It will move side to side, but won't go into the gear
    position.

    Any ideas on what's wrong? How would I fix this?

    Thanks! :)
    Shaun
     
    Shaun Q, Jun 28, 2005
    #1
  2. You've probably got a bad (kinked) shifter cable or two. The failure point
    is usually at the shifter end. If you'll slide the shifter boot down, you
    can lift the tab that holds on the shift knob, then lift the knob off the
    shift stick, then lift up the boot. Now you can see the shifter mechanism.
    From there you can inspect for evidence of bent/binding cables. If you see
    nothing, the damage is probably elsewhere in the cable(s). On the other
    hand, you may find that something has gotten into the shifter mechanism
    and is physically blocking it, though this is not as likely.
     
    Daniel J. Stern, Jun 28, 2005
    #2
  3. Shaun Q

    kmatheson Guest

    Since it is a manual transmission, does the problem occur with the
    engine off? If so, it is probably a shifter linkage problem, as Dan
    suggests. If you can shift it with the engine off, your clutch may not
    be disengaging. This can be caused by a fluid leak, or a bad master or
    slave cylinder. I am not sure whether the clutch on this model is
    hydraulic or mechanical.

    -Kirk Matheson
     
    kmatheson, Jun 28, 2005
    #3
  4. The clutch on that car is cable-operated.
     
    Daniel J. Stern, Jun 28, 2005
    #4
  5. Shaun Q

    kmatheson Guest

    I didn't know that.

    Just curious. Is the gear shifter also cable operated, or integrated
    into the transmission?

    I have not owned a manual transmission car for many years, so I haven't
    kept up on it.

    -Kirk Matheson
     
    kmatheson, Jun 28, 2005
    #5
  6. Cable operated, completely independent of the trans. That's, er, why my
    initial response to the question dealt in detail with the probability of a
    faulty shifter cable causing the problem.
     
    Daniel J. Stern, Jun 28, 2005
    #6
  7. Shaun Q

    Shaun Q Guest

    I'm getting some feedback from people saying it's a adjustment that
    needs to be made... yet I'm being told that it's impossible to adjust
    on this model and that the entire clutch would need to be replaced....
    Any thoughts?
     
    Shaun Q, Jun 29, 2005
    #7
  8. Shaun Q

    Joe Pfeiffer Guest


    1) Get a FSM so you can get real information.

    2) Did Dan's message on how to inspect (not adjust) the cables get
    through to your server? If not, you can find it at
    http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.autos.makers.chrysler/msg/ffce162eed476e32

    3) Clutch? Why would the clutch be involved? Or does the problem
    only arise when the engine is running (like Kirk asked earlier)?
     
    Joe Pfeiffer, Jun 29, 2005
    #8
  9. Shaun Q

    kmatheson Guest

    If the problem is with the clutch not fully disengaging, I cannot
    imagine there not being a way to adjust it. Usually, the clutch needs
    replacement because it gets worn, and starts slipping.

    There is most likely a lever near the bell housing. Have someone
    operate the clutch while you look around the bell housing (engine off,
    of course). You should see a cable moving a lever. That is most likely
    where the adjustment point would be. There may also be a clamp that
    holds the cable in place. If the clamp is loose and has allowed the
    cable to slip, that can cause the clutch to not fully disengage.

    -Kirk Matheson
     
    kmatheson, Jun 29, 2005
    #9
  10. The clutch cable setup on this car is "self adjusting" via a ratchet-grab
    mechanism at the top of the pedal arm, but:

    1) Sometimes it needs a little help, which is achieved by repeatedly
    pressing the clutch pedal all the way to the floor, then sliding your foot
    off the pedal so it springs forcefully back up. Five or six times ought to
    do it.

    2) If the clutch cable has stretched significantly, it will need to be
    replaced.

    There is no adjustment at that point on this car.

    DS (when somebody asks for help, don't *guess*! Just don't post if you
    don't know the answer.)
     
    Daniel J. Stern, Jun 29, 2005
    #10
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