Ok here is the the story some how i kinda inherited my cousins 1981 240D and it hasnt been started in about 9 years i got it started but now the gears will not come out of Neutral is this an internal tranny problem or is it my manual driving skills

Does it have any ATF in the gearbox? Or is it a manual?

manual

what happens when you try?

as a guess, is it grinding when you try to shift out of neutral? if so i would check fluid level in the brake master cylinder res. the clutch is fed from the rear section and if you get low on brake fluid the clutch will go south.

tom w

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[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.

Rusted shifter mechanisim perhaps at base of gearshift if it just will not move into any gear with the engine off. Especially if your relative states the transmission was okay when he last drove it. The other option as already mentioned. It clashes heavily with engine running because the clutch is not releasing

tell us more.
does it go into gear with the car not running? explain what you mean by it won't go into gear.
if it's just when the car is running that it will not shift into gear, try this: car off. put it into 2nd gear, have somebody step on the clutch (assuming there is still brake fluid in the rear reservoir) rock the car back and fourth until the car moves easily... then while still holding down on the clutch, start the motor... you should have a free working clutch. carefull, the rust takes some time to smooth out, so shifts will be hard at first.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
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My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

no it doesnt move when the car is off either,not one gear

Its probably just a faulty linkage, I don't know the specifics of your model but I wouldn't be surprised if the gearbox is perfect, just the gearstick isn't doing anything to it. You need to investigate by checking the gearchange linkages, members here will tell you how.