Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Synchros shot? Weird noises while shifting? Not sure what needs to be replaced?
Post Reply
Maggiolone
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:56 pm

Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Post by Maggiolone »

Hi all,

I have a '84 VW Jetta with a 5-speed. The car shifts fine into first, but going into what should be second becomes fourth and it surges.

Bent shift fork? Bad mechanical linkage? Bad recirculating ball selector?

There's no clutch burning, either.
User avatar
AHTOXA
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 14693
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:31 pm
Cars: '19 4RUNNER TRD ORP
Location: Irving, TX

Re: Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Post by AHTOXA »

Can second be engaged at all?
'19 Toyota 4Runner TRD ORP
'12 Suzuki V-Strom 650
Maggiolone
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:56 pm

Re: Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Post by Maggiolone »

AHTOXA wrote:Can second be engaged at all?
It's rather difficult and tricky, but I can coax it into 2nd with some tugging. I've opted to just shift quickly into 3rd from direct drive instead waste time with 2nd.
User avatar
Shadow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3384
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:51 am
Location: New York

Re: Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Post by Shadow »

Direct drive?
Image
User avatar
AHTOXA
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 14693
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:31 pm
Cars: '19 4RUNNER TRD ORP
Location: Irving, TX

Re: Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Post by AHTOXA »

4th gear would normally be 1:1 ratio and I think that's what he's referring to when he says direct drive, but I thought we were talking about upshifts?

OP, you need to clarify, please.
'19 Toyota 4Runner TRD ORP
'12 Suzuki V-Strom 650
User avatar
theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Post by theholycow »

I'm not familiar with the use of recirculating ball technology in shifters or transmissions, only in steering.

Is the surging diagnostically relevant, or just the natural result of getting 4th instead of 3rd?

Your shift fork and linkage ideas seem appropriate. The linkage, obviously, will be easier to check.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
User avatar
Shadow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3384
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:51 am
Location: New York

Re: Car goes into 4th instead of 2nd

Post by Shadow »

AHTOXA wrote:4th gear would normally be 1:1 ratio and I think that's what he's referring to when he says direct drive, but I thought we were talking about upshifts?

OP, you need to clarify, please.
That's why I was confused. I think the OP might have meant 1st gear, instead of saying "direct drive"
Image
Post Reply