Car stuck in 1st gear

PostPost by: attitude928 » Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:14 am

The car is stuck in 1st gear. The clutch engages and disengages. What
are the potential problems?
Thanks!
Jordan
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PostPost by: Martin_StuartUK » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:10 am

What are the other symptoms?

Are we talking about an Elan, and if so 4 speed or 5 speed box?

Will it select different gears with the engine off? If so, it is probably the clutch not disengaging fully (could be something as simple as slave cylinder pushrod out of adjustment or circlip retaining slave cylinder come loose, if it is an Elan).

If the the gear lever won't move, then it could be something like a jammed selector. If it is an Elan, remove the transmission tunnel cover, unscrew the retaining cup and remove the gear lever to see what you can see - if this can't sort it it, I'm afraid if you've ruled out the clutch, it's an internal gearbox fault which will require gearbox removal.

Fortunately the 4 speed Elan box is pretty simple, so whatever it is in unlikely to be difficult or expensive to fix once the box is out.

Martin


----- Original Message -----
From: attitude928
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 2:13 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Car stuck in 1st gear


The car is stuck in 1st gear. The clutch engages and disengages. What
are the potential problems?
Thanks!
Jordan
Martin_StuartUK
Third Gear
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Posts: 396
Joined: 29 Feb 2004

PostPost by: Harald S. Feeß » Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:25 am

could be the spigot bearing (in the rear of the crank shaft)

Harry








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PostPost by: attitude928 » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:00 am

Thanks! It's a 4 speed +2S. It won't select the other gears with the
engine off or on. How do I get the transmission tunnel cover off?

Jordan
'71 +2S
'77 M. Khamsin
'67 Jag 420
'62 RHD 1275cc Mini Cooper
attitude928
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PostPost by: Martin_StuartUK » Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:55 am

On the 2 seater Elan, you just unscrew the gearknob and it just pulls up - it fits snugly over the transmission tunnel and is held in place by friction.

I'm not sure if the same is true on the Plus 2, but try pulling it up, and if you encounter resistance, hunt for screws!

Can you move the gear lever, or is it jammed solid in the position for 1st gear?

Either way, misaligned selectors are favourite.

Once you have the transmission tunnel cover off, you will see that the gearlever enters thge gearbox through an inverted nylon cup. This is basically a ball joint, and can be unscrewed to remove the lever (will probably be very tight - you may need to tap it with a hammer and a suitable drift to getit moving. If it isn't tight, you've probably just found your problem!).

Once you have the gearlever out, you will see the selector rods. These haveslots in them that the lower half of the gearlever engages with. Obviously, the selector rods slide forwards and backwards to engage gears. In neutral, the slots all line up.

Suggest you move the rods to neutral position, using a big screwdriver or similar, clean and lubricate the ball and cup of the gearlever, and put everything back together again. If you can't move the first gear selector rod into the neutral position with a screwdriver, then I'm afraid it's probably gearbox out time, and a rebuild.

Martin
----- Original Message -----
From: attitude928
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 10:59 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Car stuck in 1st


Thanks! It's a 4 speed +2S. It won't select the other gears with the
engine off or on. How do I get the transmission tunnel cover off?

Jordan
'71 +2S
'77 M. Khamsin
'67 Jag 420
'62 RHD 1275cc Mini Cooper















------------------------------------------------------------------------------






***@***.***

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PostPost by: attitude928 » Sun Jun 19, 2005 2:11 am

Thanks Martin. Your advice worked. I had it up in 4th today. The car
is sweet!
Jordan
attitude928
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Posts: 13
Joined: 02 Jun 2005

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