I got in my car after work the other day and found that I couldn't get it out of reverse. The clutch seems to operate fine - the pedal feels normal and when I let it out with out pushing the gas the car stalls as expected. No matter what I do I can't seem to get the car out of reverse.

Could this just be a problem with the clutch not disengaging or are the syncros stuck? Could it be the shift linkage?

I'm not planning to rebuild the tranny so hopefully this isn't the death of my car at a young 470,000 miles.

THANKS!

I should add to my post above...

its a 1980 240D with a 4 speed manual tranny. I just replaced the vacuum pump if that might have anything to do with this.

Vacuum wouldn't affect a manny tranny. When you lock your ignition the shifter will normally still move, right?

Mine had deteriorated shifter bushings when I got it, and the shift rods jingled around a lot more than they should. I guess it is possible that they could have gotten stuck on something. I would back the car up on ramps and have a look, aiming for low fruit.

You should be able to get another transmission pretty cheap if yours is a goner. May be able to pull the side cover and fix some internal shifting mechanism, short of a rebuild.

mine would occasionally slip into reverse because if i remember correctly there is a little metal "pathway" - for lack of better term that it it supposed to go into. when it gets worn, it can easily slip into it reverse while you are trying to start out in first. take the knob apart and start fiddling around below the boot and you'll see what im talking about.

try starting in 2nd gear, will that get it going forward, or does it stay in reverse when you have it in 2nd?

470K! makes mine feel young at 225!

I'll check out the external shift levers and pull the shift lever to see if a bushing has worn out, but the exact problem is this:

I can't get the car out of reverse, even when it is turned off and the ignition is locked. The shift lever will move out of the reverse position into the neutral position but will not actually take the car out of gear. Also, I can not engage 1st or any other gears even when the car is turned off and the clutch is depressed. So it seems like no matter what I do the car is stuck in reverse. This is probably the strangest problem I've ever seen with this car which until now has been pretty reliable.

OK, I know I am resurrecting the dead here with this 4 year old post. However, it is *identical* to what happened to me today. What was the outcome?

I ended up leaving it in a parking garage and am going back with a set of tools tomorrow. If you have any advice, I am all ears!

To me it sounds like a linkage or bushing failure. The shifter lever moves but the other end of the works isn't. I'd do an inspection of the shifter linkages underneath....something might be jammed/binding/disconnected.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

That validates what my brother said as well. He apparently had a very similar failure on his diesel Jetta a few weeks ago, and something was goofy with the linkage. Hopefully it is something that is simple (read: cheap!) like that.

Sounds like a linkage problem to me. I had a shift arm come off the shaft and could only use 3rd and 4th gear. It made driving home through stoplights interesting.

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

It could also be an internal problem. You can check shifter function by getting under the car and moving the levers on the side of the tranny and seeing if that affects the situation.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Well, I have no explanation, but the problem "fixed" itself. I left the car in the parking garage I was at, and came back the next day with a set of tools. I sat in it to show my brother the symptoms and it was working as if nothing was ever wrong. As a generally analytically minded soul, problems like that drive me nuts! I want to be able to not only reproduce it, but explain the solution. Oh well... I have a feeling that chance may come again!

Yes, because an an analytically oriented person you understand that until you find it you are still under the threat of it....
In addition to linkage this effect can show up if your clutch pedal is not actuating the release bearing and pressure plate...

Interesting about the clutch pedal. I appreciate all the input.