Can't shift

"Bill Putney" <bptn.RemoveThis@kinez.net> wrote

| Try some Exlax™. Oh - wait. I mis-read your subject line.

hahaha!!!
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

Pat wrote:
> I have an '87 Toyota minivan. It's a 5-speed and I've never had a problem
> with the transmission or clutch - until yesterday.
>
> When I backed out of the driveway, the clutch acted way different, I let it
> out at the usual speed but the car jumped backward and stalled. When I went
> to shift into 1st gear I couldn't do it, the knob just would not go there. I
> couldn't get it back into reverse either, there was a grinding sound. So I
> let the car roll back into the driveway and shut it off.
>
> I can still shift into any of the gears when the car is turned off. What
> could be wrong?

Sounds like the clutch is not engaging properly. I think you're going to
have to have it towed someplace, perhaps the junk yard.

Jeff
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"Jeff" <kidsdoc2000 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote

| Sounds like the clutch is not engaging properly. I think you're going to
| have to have it towed someplace, perhaps the junk yard.

Hey, Jeff, thanks for the reply, but why the junkyard idea? The car runs
fine otherwise and it's all I have. Clutches can be repaired, no? I don't
know much about fixing cars but was hoping to find an idea here. I took a
trip in it last week and had no problems whatsoever, got back Saturday
night, didn't need to drive Sunday or Monday but yesterday morning this
happened so unexpectedly.
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

"Pat" <just_a_ghost.TakeThisOut@in_this_house.com> wrote in message
news:AZOdnQjG3d-3kdLVnZ2dnUVZ_v3inZ2d@centurytel.net...
>
> "Jeff" <kidsdoc2000.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote
>
> | Sounds like the clutch is not engaging properly. I think you're going to
> | have to have it towed someplace, perhaps the junk yard.
>
> Hey, Jeff, thanks for the reply, but why the junkyard idea? The car runs
> fine otherwise and it's all I have. Clutches can be repaired, no? I don't
> know much about fixing cars but was hoping to find an idea here. I took a
> trip in it last week and had no problems whatsoever, got back Saturday
> night, didn't need to drive Sunday or Monday but yesterday morning this
> happened so unexpectedly.


If the car's otherwise in good shape, have it fixed. I'd say "fix it", but
for this sort of thing, I'm of the opinion that if you had to ask what was
wrong, you're not qualified to fix it. Have it fixed. Get 2-3 estimates, one
from the dealer.
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

"JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote

| If the car's otherwise in good shape, have it fixed. I'd say "fix it", but
| for this sort of thing, I'm of the opinion that if you had to ask what was
| wrong, you're not qualified to fix it. Have it fixed. Get 2-3 estimates,
one
| from the dealer.

You're right, I could not fix this. There's no dealer close (nearest is
about 55 miles) but lots of garages.
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"Pat" <just_a_ghost.TakeThisOut@in_this_house.com> wrote in message
news:t4SdnXu_tY6ThtLVnZ2dnUVZ_rzinZ2d@centurytel.net...
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" <dishborealis.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote
>
> | If the car's otherwise in good shape, have it fixed. I'd say "fix it",
> but
> | for this sort of thing, I'm of the opinion that if you had to ask what
> was
> | wrong, you're not qualified to fix it. Have it fixed. Get 2-3 estimates,
> one
> | from the dealer.
>
> You're right, I could not fix this. There's no dealer close (nearest is
> about 55 miles) but lots of garages.
>
>

Ask everyone you know if they've got a mechanic they've been happy with for
a number of years. Not Jiffy Lube or a tire chain store. Those aren't
mechanics.
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

Pat wrote:
> "Jeff" <kidsdoc2000.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote
>
> | Sounds like the clutch is not engaging properly. I think you're going to
> | have to have it towed someplace, perhaps the junk yard.
>
> Hey, Jeff, thanks for the reply, but why the junkyard idea? The car runs
> fine otherwise and it's all I have.

I don't know how many miles is on the vehicle (it's a truck, not a car).

> Clutches can be repaired, no?

Yes. But with such an old vehicle, the clutch may cost more to repair
than the van is worth. Also, you didn't tell us what model or how many
miles on it.

> I don't
> know much about fixing cars but was hoping to find an idea here. I took a
> trip in it last week and had no problems whatsoever, got back Saturday
> night, didn't need to drive Sunday or Monday but yesterday morning this
> happened so unexpectedly.

Some people here may have different ideas to offer in this newsgroup,
but I think you will have to have it towed to a garage, then. I don't
know how much the van is worth or what condition the body and other
parts are in. This could be a repair that will let the van last several
more repairs or be the first of many expensive repairs.

I think a good mechanic can tell you if it's worth getting killed. The
other consideration is that a newer vehicle may be much safer (with
airbags, better brakes, and other safety enhancements), more reliable
and get better mileage than the old van.

Jeff
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"Jeff" <kidsdoc2000.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote

| I don't know how many miles is on the vehicle (it's a truck, not a car).

A lot, but it's still young for a Toyota. It's been properly maintained
throughout its life (I'm the original owner).

| > Clutches can be repaired, no?
|
| Yes. But with such an old vehicle, the clutch may cost more to repair
| than the van is worth. Also, you didn't tell us what model or how many
| miles on it.

The van is worth very little in the "blue book" but it's all I have and is
irreplaceable (meaning, I can't afford to buy a car, even a cheap one).
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

"Pat" <just_a_ghost.TakeThisOut@in_this_house.com> wrote in
news:rPudnWJk0fsnZtPVnZ2dnUVZ_hudnZ2d@centurytel.net:

> I have an '87 Toyota minivan. It's a 5-speed and I've never had a
> problem with the transmission or clutch - until yesterday.
>
> When I backed out of the driveway, the clutch acted way different, I
> let it out at the usual speed but the car jumped backward and stalled.
> When I went to shift into 1st gear I couldn't do it, the knob just
> would not go there. I couldn't get it back into reverse either, there
> was a grinding sound. So I let the car roll back into the driveway and
> shut it off.
>
> I can still shift into any of the gears when the car is turned off.
> What could be wrong?
>
>
>



A spring has popped out of the clutch friction disc and is jammed between
the flywheel and friction disc. You need a new clutch.

Is the expense worth it? How much is your van worth to you?

--
Tegger
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:20:03 -0500, Pat wrote:

> "Jeff" <kidsdoc2000.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote
>
> | Sounds like the clutch is not engaging properly. I think you're going
> to | have to have it towed someplace, perhaps the junk yard.
>
> Hey, Jeff, thanks for the reply, but why the junkyard idea? The car runs
> fine otherwise and it's all I have. Clutches can be repaired, no? I
> don't know much about fixing cars but was hoping to find an idea here. I
> took a trip in it last week and had no problems whatsoever, got back
> Saturday night, didn't need to drive Sunday or Monday but yesterday
> morning this happened so unexpectedly.

I think you should tow it to my house! I will GLADLY take one of these
off your hands! I've been wanting one since '85. It's a 5 speed, is it
AWD, too?


And. after you tow it to my house, I'll take the $60 clutch slave
cylinder I bought for my '85 Celica, slap it on there and be rolling
again in about 1 hour.

That's sure what it sounds like. My Celica did the same thing, and I
suspected the slave cylinder, but of course, I didn't have the thing in
the car when the cylinder finally did let go. I had to buy another one.

The upside is, if I can find the thing, and if it fits, I'll sell it to
you for $40.

Fill the master cylinder under..the..hood...ooops...I don't *know* where
the MC is on this thing! But check the MC, fill it, and then with the
engine off pump the clutch while someone else has a look under the van.
Chances are it's pissing out of somewhere, perhaps the fluid line instead
of the cylinder. Also, look at the top of the clutch pedal where it mates
to the plunger from the MC and see if the carpet is soaked. A bad MC will
do the same thing. I replaced both on the Celica.

MC:

http://www.autozone.com/N,311402/initialAction,repairGuide/shopping/
repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152800818cc


slave cylinder is also listed.
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno.RemoveThis@ae86.GTS> wrote

| I think you should tow it to my house! I will GLADLY take one of these
| off your hands! I've been wanting one since '85. It's a 5 speed, is it
| AWD, too?

Yes, it has 4WD and is a 5-speed. Where's your house and how much do you
wanna pay for it? I would let it go for the right price. It needs a new side
door unless you can live with stabilized rust on the bottom part of it.

| And. after you tow it to my house, I'll take the $60 clutch slave
| cylinder I bought for my '85 Celica, slap it on there and be rolling
| again in about 1 hour.
|
| That's sure what it sounds like. My Celica did the same thing, and I
| suspected the slave cylinder, but of course, I didn't have the thing in
| the car when the cylinder finally did let go. I had to buy another one.
|
| The upside is, if I can find the thing, and if it fits, I'll sell it to
| you for $40.
|
| Fill the master cylinder under..the..hood...ooops...I don't *know* where
| the MC is on this thing! But check the MC, fill it, and then with the
| engine off pump the clutch while someone else has a look under the van.
| Chances are it's pissing out of somewhere, perhaps the fluid line instead
| of the cylinder. Also, look at the top of the clutch pedal where it mates
| to the plunger from the MC and see if the carpet is soaked. A bad MC will
| do the same thing. I replaced both on the Celica.

Thanks so much for your advice. If the slave will fit and is needed, and the
shipping isn't too high, I'd sure buy it from you.
 >> Stay informed about: Can't shift 

Tegger wrote:
> "Pat" <just_a_ghost.DeleteThis@in_this_house.com> wrote in
> news:rPudnWJk0fsnZtPVnZ2dnUVZ_hudnZ2d@centurytel.net:
>
>> I have an '87 Toyota minivan. It's a 5-speed and I've never had a
>> problem with the transmission or clutch - until yesterday.
>>
>> When I backed out of the driveway, the clutch acted way different, I
>> let it out at the usual speed but the car jumped backward and stalled.
>> When I went to shift into 1st gear I couldn't do it, the knob just
>> would not go there. I couldn't get it back into reverse either, there
>> was a grinding sound. So I let the car roll back into the driveway and
>> shut it off.
>>
>> I can still shift into any of the gears when the car is turned off.
>> What could be wrong?
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> A spring has popped out of the clutch friction disc and is jammed between
> the flywheel and friction disc. You need a new clutch.
>
> Is the expense worth it? How much is your van worth to you?

I think it could also be a problem with the clutch cylinder or the other
parts of the clutch, although I agree that chances are a new clutch is
needed.

Jeff
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"Jeff" <kidsdoc2000 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote

| I think it could also be a problem with the clutch cylinder or the other
| parts of the clutch, although I agree that chances are a new clutch is
| needed.

If it does need a whole new clutch, how big a job is that?
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