MainePorsche

Guys,
STAT advisement.
Went to pick up son from soccer. Waiting in car listening to radio. Start her up and go to pull out, and won't engage in any gear. Not even park - the car will roll on the slight grade. While I was sitting for the 20 mins in the car I was in Park - no roll.
What do I consider ?
I have some hard shifting once she gets warm, and was going to lift her to look at bowden cable and check modulator and line vacuum status.
Thanks in Advance.
Craig

rexpontius

Check connection of handle to gearbox?

MainePorsche

What is the best way to access this check ?

76FJ55

There is a lever arm on the right side of the trans that should be attached to a cable that goes to the shift lever. Best bet is to chock the wheels so the car won't roll, then have someone slide under and watch the trans lever, as someone inside moves the shifter. There is a ball socket on the trans lever similar to those on the throttle linkage which may have popped loose.

MainePorsche

I was thinking the linkage with the selector arm as well at the transmission.
But, if this is OK isn't there another linkage to the cable with the gear selector up front that I would have to be concerned with ? And, my concern is how to pull it up to get to the base of the gear selector stalk ? Is it secured under the console or from under the car ?

Mrmerlin

the trans selector cable is attached to the left side of the trans when looking at the car from the rear

The Bowden kick down cable is on the right hand side in front of the reservoir

Maleficio

Bowden cable won't cause this.

Kiln_Red

It would be very hard to see the selector and linkage with the car sitting on its rear tires. There is a heat shield back there that needs to be removed to access it. It is much easier to do this with the exhaust dropped from its 2 hangers at the rear. Since it isn't practical to do all of this at the soccer field, I would investigate the possibility that the linkage walked off the shifter mechanism instead. Just remove the shifter, boot, and cover to be able to see the linkage at the mechanism.

Maleficio

Good point. Is the shifter far easier to move now?

MainePorsche

Thanks Guys. Off to the parking lot now. The place should be empty post game (hopefully only a single Friday night game). Will update.

Kiln_Red

If you can round up a floor jack, 2 stands, a simple socket set, and a helper many of us can at least guide you with the steps to get your car car home under its own power if it is indeed a linkage issue that you can't quickly resolve.

Best case scenario is that the circlip fell out of the mechanism and the linkage subsequently worked its way off the the shifter mechanism ball cup. The way the mechanism is made, it would be easy to not notice any change while selecting gears even if the linkage slipped off.

dfrhodes

assume you have checked for a puddle of tranny fluid already

Kiln_Red

Not likely the issue as the OP indicated the car would roll with the shifter in park.

MainePorsche

Guys,
Just got back from a cold parking lot. Had her up on all fours.
Selector arm linkage intact (on). Shifted (of course) with no problem.
Never had ATF leak. Reservoir filled to where it should be when cold.
Now I am totally at a loss.
Modulator cap intact and present. Vac line attached, but didn't due modulator testing now.
Where do I go next ?

Add: Reverse lights light up.

GregBBRD

Most likely an axle came loose and fell off the stub axle coming out of the transmission. The car won't move, if this happens. Pull the emergency brake up hard (or have someone sit in the car, with the brake on), put it in drive, and see if one of the output flanges from the transmission is spinning, without the axle spinning. It happens when someone uses an impact, not a torque wrench, to tighten the c/v joints.

Don't put it in reverse, with your body back there looking under the car, in case the thing decides to suddenly engage and move!

Don't forget, I've still got a couple brand new factory transmissions, complete with torque convertors and limited slips, in stock, for immediate delivery.