1989 GMC V3500 Square Body Wont go into 2nd 3rd or reverse

[jrc]

Manual tranny with granny, 1, 2, 3, and reverse. Running fine one minute today, the next minute it wouldnt go into reverse or 2nd or 3rd. If I mess enough with it, it will eventually go over to where I can get it in those gears. Meet solid resistance, and I hear the synchro spin up when trying to put it in 2nd or 3rd. Removed the shift boot and pushed down and twisted counter clockwise on the gear base. Pulled it out and cant really tell what I am looking at.

Any help?

 

[Georgeb]

Do you have the sloppy shifter issue?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXIND3xn1xs

 

[jrc]

Thanks, Georgeb. The tack welds look fine. It is a bit loose at the roll pin below the tack welds.

The video is great, but would the loose shifter cause my problem?

Thanks again.

 

[Georgeb]

Probably would contribute but not be entirely the cause. Will it shift with the engine off? If the shifting issue is only when the engine is running I would start checking on the clutch components. It should be a hydraulic setup. If the clutch isnt disengaging completly it could be hard to shift. Does it sort of grind into low and reverse when you are sitting still with the engine running? I had a leak on my line from the clutch resivoir to the clutch master that was allowing air into the system but not leaking fluid. It had a ****** spongey pedal feel and was hard to shift. If you determine the clutch isn't operating properly check for leaks and grab a buddy and bleed it.

 

[Georgeb]

I just re-read your original post. Are you saying you cant even get the shifter to move over into the 2-3 or reverse gates at all? If you have a bunch of slop and wear in the end piece of the shifter it could be slipping out of the gate befor the gate is all the way back to the center position.

 

[jrc]

It will not even go to those gates for 2, 3, or rev whether it is running or not.

 

[GEB]

I am thinking along the same lines as Georgeb, but I would also look at the gates themselves. Can you post a pic of the end of your shifter?

 

[Georgeb]

Also a pic of the gates in the hole where the shifter goes. Try to get the top of the pic oriented as towards the front of the truck. It will help if it is in the screwed up condition rather than functional.

 

[jrc]

Pics..

See the pics. There are cracks in the tack welds. A lot of play in the shift pin on the shifter, too.

Thanks

 

[Georgeb]

Looks like the retainer clip on the reverse detent let go allowing it to push too far out. It wont go back because the reverse gate is not all the way back in position. Idon't think you can fix it without pulling the cover off the tranny to get at the plunger and replace the clip. If you do need to pull the cover you will at least need to move the reverse gate and put the shifter gack in so you can place it half way into reverse so the reverse shift fork has clearance for removal. I don't know if you can move the gate half way without the shifter. @GEB has more experience with this than I do. I have no fear of pulling one apart but would have trouble describing it.

 

[jrc]

If I put the shifter back in, I can get it to go into reverse or 2nd or 3rd if I mess with it for 5-10 minutes. Then as soon as take it out of that gear, I start the process over of not being able to get it over to 2nd, 3rd, or reverse unless I fiddle with it.

 

[Georgeb]

If I put the shifter back in, I can get it to go into reverse or 2nd or 3rd if I mess with it for 5-10 minutes. Then as soon as take it out of that gear, I start the process over of not being able to get it over to 2nd, 3rd, or reverse unless I fiddle with it.

That is because of that plunger with the spring on it. It is hitting the reverse gate all the way to the left side in your pic.

 

[Georgeb]

Check this thread out.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=322025

 

[Georgeb]

Also your tack welds are broken on the shifter end so it might pay to do this....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EXIND3xn1xs

 

[jrc]

Ok. So is it plausible that I should still by some luck get it to pop into reverse so I can remove the cover?