Transmission stuck in 2nd gear - any tips on what to try?

[Mommieoma]

just bought a 1987 sr5 4wd wagon. it is stuck in 2nd gear, pushing in clutch feels fine, no noise, can roll car (with clutch pushed in) but cannot move shifter. removing shifter shows oil inside - but I don't know what I'm looking for.

car sat for 5 years or so. after oil & filter change car will not run without keeping carb filled with fuel. fuel filter is pumping fuel ok but it's not getting into carb for some reason...

any thoughts? I've read thru quite a few posts (looked thru 11 pages worth) but didn't see anything quite like my problems. There appears to be alot of expertise here working with these beasts (turtles??)

thanks for any help!

Linda

[ARCHINSTL]

Welcome!
I can't help with the transmission question, but I know others can.
Don't be hurt - but as to the fuel delivery question - is fuel being delivered to the carb by the pump's exit tube?
I presume you changed the fuel filter?
I relist one of my favorite posts, which is the Autozone site's excellent info on our cars: http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroke ... epairGuide
Tom M.
PS: A small point - but kudos on doing the Search of the pages for an answer...

[Mickey_D]

If you're getting fuel through the fuel filter, then the float is stuck. Well, at least the needle valve is.

As to the transmission, sounds like possibly someone at some time removed the shifter while it was IN 2nd gear, then returned it to the transmission in the neutral position.

[Rasmus]

Being stuck in 2nd gear is the transmissions way of saying that it is broken...

I've done this to TWO tercels now, broken the transmission... I'm pretty strong, so I eventually got it out of 2nd, only to find out that 2nd, 3rd and 4th all now do not work - only 1st and reverse, it's a fairly 'common' broken tranny. Well, common to me

On the plus side, transmissions are pretty easy to change in these cars

- R

[Mommieoma]

Took car to a tranny shop, they took out tranny and found it was all worn out, did search for auto parts on internet and got a used one shipped from junkyard in GA. Had it put in and that worked. Engine running issue was exactly as stated above-needle valve probably stuck from 4 yrs of fuel sitting and sticking things together. After trying and trying to get it to run, putting fuel treatment, premium fuel and alcohol in the fuel we got it to idle with pedal action. A friend came over today and helped take off the top of the carb, cleaned it up that way and we were able to drive it around the block!!! Tranny works in 4WD also. However there is no syncro in 2nd gear....but the car is driveable! Yay!!!!

Also, we had the dreaded Brake and altenator lights on at the same time, found the altenator not putting out. Hubby went to get a new one and seems to be having a problem getting the right one. Any help on this is appreciated. The numbers inside the car are as follows:

HTY 1.6V2HFF5 EV-A
88.6 CID
3A-C (which I found means CA emmisions spec)

Model AL 25 LG = ZWFQCA
3E6JB232292Z54F

When he went to the auto parts store, they only had two motors listed. They were 1.5L... the altenators were I think 50 and 60 amp. They also said that the 87's were FI and not carbs. When they gave him the first altenator the electrical connections were in different places, the second (50a) look like the original as far as electical connections so he took it home but it would not bolt in... so... he's bringing it back tommorow.

I looked in the AutoZone website but they don't have a listing that matches what we've got either.

Anyone have similar issues - how did you find the correct parts?

Thanks for any help..

Linda

[waynehoc]

Print this out and take with you - from the Autozone site - results from the search for the alternator for your wagon.



I have an '87 2WD wagon and run into this problem all the time, as the '87 sedans are a 3E (carburetted engine), but our wagons are a 3A-C carb'd engine. Make sure you point out you need an alternator for a 3A-C engine/4WD wagon.

[Petros]

Linda,

Sorry to read about your trans, I had this exact problem on a trans that ran fine for about 240k miles, and then when I was about 90 miles from home it just would not come out of 2nd gear. Managed to drive home in 2nd (40 mph max!) with LOTS of loud noises coming from trans. I had to replaced it.

About the alternator, there are two types that can come on any years (I guess whoever was the low bidder that month). One has a built-in voltage regulator (and cost more, though I got mine from wrecking yard for $10), I think it is more common. And the other one that does not have the built-in voltage regular. They are not interchangable, even the wire harness in the car is different. I do not know why you would have found the correct alternator would not bolt in, I think this the same one used in the collola, even the mount braket is the same in both cars. Is there not a braket or something you did not remove off the old one perhaps?

And yes, the tercel sedan went to fuel injection in '87, but that has a transverse engine and a completely different chassis. The 4wd wagon, even in 1988, has common parts with the '83 through '86 2wd sedans.

Good luck.

Peter

[Mommieoma]

Hello everyone - well we've been driving the car for months now, got it to the point where it idles most of the time but still stalls when you come to a stop once it's warmed up.

However, the altinator has died again. We got another from Autozone on the warranty, but when put into the car the lights still stayed on (brake and altinator)... even though it appeared to be putting out voltage. Our mechanic looked at it quick but then went on vaca for 2 wks...

I love the car, but husband is 6'2'' and is not as comfy as I driving it ...and wants to sell it. Other than the stalling problem and now the altinator it is a tight car with little to no rust. Syncro is gone in second, or the clutch needs to be adjusted depending on who you talk to. 4 wheel drive works. Sunroof, cruise control, new tires, 3 owner car, decent condition.

Located in New Hampshire.



Will post pictures soon.

[jetswim]

Hey, I'm 6'2" and there's more than enough room in my 87!
That's too bad though....

[jetswim]

I also have 3 parts cars if you need something original...

[jimpomm]

I'm interested in the car. Can you send pics to jimpomm@hotmail.com

[Typrus]

Is it internally or externally regulated?
How is the battery? Did you get it load-tested? Weak batteries will eat alternators.

I'm 6' 1" and I have lots of room left?

[takza]

I love the car, but husband is 6'2'' and is not as comfy as I driving it ...and wants to sell it.

Can't get no respect....no respect at all?

[Mr. Wiggles]

Getting stuck in 2nd gear is exactly what happened to us during the last Lemons race. We still got a couple of hundred miles out of it like that, though.