tranny problems... stupid cougar

[jerkitt]

this is how it started...

if I shifted too hard into third, even if i kept the clutch in for a while... it wouldn't get in.



then, I started having trouble getting into first... it would seem like it was in, then i'd start going, and the shifter would kind of push back. There was a mild grinding and i couldn't go.

that problem continued, and then sometimes when i got it into first, I'd start going... and it would pop out. It would be a pretty violent bang that often scared me.


over the last couple weeks, I've had the car pop out of third and second a few times.


Then earlier today... i started going... got into second, then there was the big bang... and I've been stuck in second gear since then.


If I push in the clutch, it goes out of gear... but the shifter does absolutely nothing but flop around.


There is no definite "H" track for the shifter, as seen by the horrible diagram below.





I found where the shift linkages are... and the "up/down" cable seems to move the fork... but the "left/right" cable seems to barely move the fork, and has a click at one side...




DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT!


somebody help me figure out what the hell is wrong so I can sell this POS and start on my project car!

[stickshift]

First thing I'd do is check for a broken shifter cable. You said you can't shift out of second, right? If you can get the console off, you should be able to get at the base of the shifter and where the cables connect to it. See if you can disconnect the one you think is shot (the left-right one).

When you said the shifter flops around when you clutch in - what does the shifter do when you're not clutching?

Cougars are known to be really problematic (though I doubt you need me to tell you that at this point).

[jerkitt]

i believe the cables run underneath the car, but above the exhaust heatshield... so taking off the console might not get me to where I want to get at... but it won't hurt to try...

i'll get to that maybe this weekend.


as for the shifter, it acts the same clutch in or clutch out... car on or car off... moving or not...


and yes... i know that, thank you

one of many reasons i'm selling it

[bizzare]

i think something inside the tranny is in a bind, most likely the shift fork mechanism. Had this happen on a honda tanny once... good luck