no gears

[farmer john]

Have just bought an 88 1.6l diesel hi top camper. Has just had a new clutch& was missing drive shaft bolts & clutch slave cylinder connection.
We repaired this,jump started her& checked for leaks,overheating etc. Engine sweet but no gear selection! Eventually I found 1st & 2nd over where reverse should be,so decided to drive it home 'slowly' about 15kms . clearly the fault lies at the disconnection at the g/box end? Have read some of the wiki gen & it seems that there is a bracket that may have been re- fitted in the wrong place?
Has any one got any experience? I think its a 4 speed,but so far Ive only found 1 & a half!? Help!

[AdrianC]

I think its a 4 speed

Have a look on either the paper sticker under the LH dash or on the gearbox casing for the gearbox code. The paper will tell you what it started with, the code on the box will tell you what it has now.

Then compare with http://rjes.com/html/gearbox_types.html to tell you how many gears it has.

IIRC there can be fun and games if a 5-speed has replaced a 4-speed but the linkage hasn't been upgraded. The five speed also has an unusual pattern...

Code: Select all

R  2  4
|--|--|
1  3  5

...and (on our 5-spd, anyway) R can be a bit... interesting... to select without the knack. Into 1, then push down the length of the lever and aim for the headlight.

[CovKid]

The bracket, close to the gear selection shaft on the gearbox can rather easily be fitted the wrong side of the casting on the gearbox. If you get under there and look, all will become clear Its normally held on with two nuts & bolts. Just undo these, move the bracket to the other side, bolt it up and see if your gears are restored once more.

I think thats the reply you were looking for.

[Zebedeus]

that was my first thought too Covkid.

I did not realise the solutions because it was a year between taking the gearbox from the engine and reassembling it.
Simalar i my case; 1 and 2 second are functioning and 3 and 4 are "missing".
In a despared mode a swapped d=the mounting bracket to the other side and problem solved.

At least it is worth trying; a 5 minute job and you know it.

greats Hans

[CovKid]

Yes Hans, good to know it is sometimes an easy solution.

[farmer john]

thanks for yr comments & solutions. Its a 4 speed box(1st is forwards) so thats a relief. Dont need too many extra complications,there's enough
to tidy & sort out already. I will fiddle with that bracket when it warms up. The high top wont go into the workshop without a lot of work moving
stuff & shelves above the Doors.to access the hinged 3rd door above.(seemed a good idea at the time?!)

[Aidan]

4 speed to set the linkage adjustment the gearbox should default under spring pressure to 3rd4th position
the rear bush plate goes on the forward side of the boss on the gearbox
check the cup and ball at the gearbox, in neatral you can push the ball into the gearbox against spring pressure, and that spring pressure should move the ball completely out to the end of it's travel
then in the middle of the linkage is a splined slip joint, just forward of the plastic universal joint- this is where you adjust the shift initially
the pinch bolt must be fitted correctly, there is a cut out in the outer tube and it must allign in the collar with that,
loosen pinch bolt
get wife/friend/child to sit in drivers seat and move stick back and fro a couple of times in the neutral position and then hold the gearstick where 3rd and 4th should be, ie to the right
tighten pinch bolt
you should have all 4 forward gears again, 1st and 2nd being against the gate and to get reverse go to the gate, push stick down so you go under the gate and left and forward
if there is wear to the guide tips on the front linkage under the gearstick it can be a bit vague as it can be if the rear and middle bushes are themselves worn and if the cup and the ball aren't nicely mated, lubed and with the rubber boot keeping it clean and tidy

[farmer john]

wind nippy but a nice enough day to twiddle with the linkage! the bracket was indeed behind not in front of the casting. The gear lever now
feels 1,2,3&4 but in reality the only fully meshed gear is 1st.
Thankyou for yr info Aiden,I will muster the troops and give it a go. Everyone is occupied with 'Easter' but I'm sure they will help when they get
bored with chocolate! We are having an egg hunt here on the smallholding tommorrow for all the grandchildren,so maybe tuesday will find time to play with the linkage!? Thanks once again,its very reassuring that there are experts who like transporters!