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Transmission Issues..

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Robert Demings, Oct 17, 2020.

  1. Oct 17, 2020
    Robert Demings

    Robert Demings New Member

    Albany, Ga
    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2019
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    41
    So when to fire up the CJ for a ride this morning, and ran in to a problem. Could not get the old girl to shift into 1-3. No grind of the gears or anything, just stift as all get out and didn't want to force it. When trying for reverse, I could the gears would grind but still no joy. I have no experience with this kind of issue.

    69 cj5 with dauntless 225. Engine/trans are stock, but I'm not sure which transmission i have. Any suggestions?
     
  2. Oct 17, 2020
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
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    Mar 2, 2017
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    683
    If original, it will be a T-14 transmission.

    Do you think the clutch is disengaging fully, does it feel normal?

    It is also pretty easy to inspect the transmission. Just remove the trans cover floor panel and there are 6 bolts holding the shift tower on. You will be able to see if the shift mechanism is working smoothly and you will also be able to see and shift the gears manually.
     
    Robert Demings likes this.
  3. Oct 18, 2020
    Robert Demings

    Robert Demings New Member

    Albany, Ga
    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2019
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    41
    It doesn't feel any different when I press the clutch. What gets me is the fact that there is no movement in the shifter at all trying to get to 1-3, but it will go to reverse, even though I can't get it in gear due to the grinding.
     
  4. Oct 18, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    If you lived here in NH, I'd say water freezing in the transmission. We had snow here yesterday.

    Any chance you had a low temperature event?
     
  5. Oct 18, 2020
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
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    Mar 2, 2017
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    Good call Pete. Likely a bit early for that hard of a freeze in GA, but there are some cold fronts moving through the south..

    Is the shifter free to move side to side in the neutral position?

    69 is a transition year from mechanical linkage clutch to the cable clutch, which do you have?

    It is tempting to suspect something bound-up in the shift tower, but going into reverse should not grind (other than just briefly from not being synchronized) if the clutch is working fully.

    Without the engine running, are you able to get it in gear with some jostling of the shifter and/or rocking the Jeep back and forth a bit? If so, clutch cable stretch or linkage wear may be preventing proper clutch disengagement. Adjusting the clutch according to the factory service manual might do it.
     
  6. Oct 18, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Mice or squirrels will sometimes render a clutch inoperative overnight, with nuts and things they stuff into it.
     
  7. Oct 18, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    As Tim asked, does it shift into all gears with the engine not running? If so, the issue is likely with the clutch not disengaging. Is there "normal" resistance when pushing the clutch pedal down, both with the engine off, and also running?
    -Donny
     
  8. Oct 18, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I haven't had the freezing situation but I know 140 wt oil when really cold can give those symptoms also. I'd bet on the clutch not releasing as being the problem though.
     
  9. Oct 18, 2020
    Robert Demings

    Robert Demings New Member

    Albany, Ga
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    Jul 2, 2019
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    So its not been cold enough to even frost the roof of the house, so I don't think that could be the issue.
    It has set for a month or so it could be rodents, I guess.
    Shifter does rock side to side in neutral, and I can get it into all gears with the engine off.
    Not sure if I have a clutch cable or not, and not sure how to go about checking that out.
    Sounds like I have myself a clutch issue.
     
  10. Oct 18, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    I am thinking pressure plate has rusted to flywheel
    have had that scenario twice in past few years . temperate changes
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2020
    Glenn likes this.
  11. Oct 18, 2020
    Robert Demings

    Robert Demings New Member

    Albany, Ga
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    Sounds fun. Whats the fix?
     
  12. Oct 18, 2020
    David Allen

    David Allen New Member

    Carson City Nevada
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    Jul 10, 2020
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    I just had a similar problem. Turns out where the pedal comes through the pivot to move the linkage the attachment was broke. Mine had been modified when a previous owner replaced the 3 speed for a 4 speed. Looked like he needed to widen the point of attachment to get a better alignment. He welded a bolt onto the pivot and on mine that's where the weld broke. I would have someone push the clutch in and out while under the Jeep to see if there is no movement.
     
  13. Oct 18, 2020
    Robert Demings

    Robert Demings New Member

    Albany, Ga
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    Would that explain the inability to shift into forward gears?
     
  14. Oct 18, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    first verify all the linkage is good
    then warm engine up
    shut off
    nothing in front or behind jeep
    without starting engine . push clutch pedal to floor . put it in 1'st or reverse gear
    bump starter . jeep might lurch a few times till it breaks free
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2020
  15. Oct 18, 2020
    Robert Demings

    Robert Demings New Member

    Albany, Ga
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    No joy. Will crank and turn over in neutral, but once you shut it off and put it in gear it won't turn over
     
  16. Oct 18, 2020
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    try a higer gear...
     
  17. Oct 18, 2020
    David Allen

    David Allen New Member

    Carson City Nevada
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    It did on mine. Engine off, shifts normal. Engine on, no go in any gear or reverse.
     
  18. Oct 18, 2020
    David Allen

    David Allen New Member

    Carson City Nevada
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    My Jeep is also a '69 CJ5, Dauntless V6. The transmission had been changed by a previous owner from a 3 speed to a 4 speed (T98)
     
  19. Oct 18, 2020
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    it sounds to me like it just isnt fully disengaging. Likely just a cable or pivot problem. Usually where it pivots on the ball studs causes problems.
     
  20. Oct 18, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Maybe someone could help you rock it back and forth by hand? A 3rd person sitting in it and holding the clutch pedal down?
     
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