Transmission Issues..

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Mice or squirrels will sometimes render a clutch inoperative overnight, with nuts and things they stuff into it.

 

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

 

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.

 

I am thinking pressure plate has rusted to flywheel
have had that scenario twice in past few years . temperate changes

 

Sounds fun. Whats the fix?

 

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.

 

Would that explain the inability to shift into forward gears?

 

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

 

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

 

try a higer gear...

 

It did on mine. Engine off, shifts normal. Engine on, no go in any gear or reverse.

 

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)

 

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.