Adjusting the shifter in an auto stickshift

kevander · Post by **kevander** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:21 am

In my earlier post I described how my new autostick tranny is not finding any gear other than Low (first). The rebuild shop says that I need to adjust the shifter to make it all work. I have changed transmissions before without adjusting the shifter, so why now? Is the adjustment simply loosening the two bolts under the shifter and moving the stop plate? The guide book says to put it in Low and push the stop plate left until it hits the shaft. This doesn't sound like much of a precision adjustment to me! Any help?? Does this actually have any chance of making my tranny shift into the other gears or is the shop just jerking me around?

Post by **Marc** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:30 am

Was there any similar problem before the trans was rebuilt? AutoSticks have shiftrod bushings too, and if they're worn out it can make it impossible to correctly adjust the shifter. I'd just disconnect the shift coupler and shift the trans directly with a pair of ViseGrips on the shift selector lever - if it still only works in one gear the linkage is exonerated.

JJ · Post by JJ » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:45 am

Well let's see if I can remember the problems I use to have with my old Auto stick. Make sure you have no vacuum leaks in the system, check the diaphragm in the actuator, dose the clutch engage when you move the shifter? If not take the shifter apart, sometimes carbon will buildup on the contacts. I hope I've been some help, I see if I have some of my old manuals around and look into it more.

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Joe
carbonjoe@attbi.com

Post by **Marc** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:48 am

VW Automatic Register webpage:
http://www.volks.org/vwar/

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 4:38 pm

The adjustment you need to make is to the brass contacts inside the fat base of the shifter stalk. Take it apart, noting how it's put together. The top is spring loaded so be careful. Clean the contact that you uncover, they've probably never had it. Some fine sandpaper works well. Now put it back together remembering the spring, and slowly crank the top piece down until you can feel it bottom as the two contacts come together. Back it off 1/2 turn, and lock the locknut on the bottom part to hold it all in place. That should do it for you, if shifter adjustment was your problem. Email me if this is unclear, it's a complicated mess the first time around, I know. Good Luck,

------------------
Jordan
1963 Beetle, 5 spokes, 1776, dropped spindles, etc...
1973 Standard Beetle, stock.
1968 Fastback, stock for now

Post by **Marc** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 4:42 pm

...and if the wire is damaged near the bottom of the shifter (as it often is) don't splice in a repair section - the wire is of special extra-flexible multistrand construction. Instead cut off the damaged part and make up the length by adding wire to the other end under the back seat.

kevander · Post by **kevander** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 6:12 pm

Thanks for the help so far. The adjustment I have to make is not to the shifter contacts - I've done that before. This adjustment is to the actual positioning of the shifter where it meets the floor housing and stop plate. By the way, I tried the vise grip on the tranny shaft suggested earlier, and it grudgingly goes into the gears (3 of 4), but the wheels barely spin in any gear selected. If I push them they keep going, but at a very slow speed even with the engine revving up pretty fast. It also doesn't seem that my shift rod can go as far back as the tranny shaft seems to need to make the necessary shifts. Any thoughts?

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 7:00 pm

The Bentley gives some specific directions for adjusting the AS shifter, and I seem to recall that it's different than a regular shifter. I hate to sound like one of those "just buy the book" types, but in some cases its' actually good to have. I will look up the info for you and post it if you dont' have one for your car. Let me know, and good luck. As I recall mine was a royal PITA to get adjusted.

------------------
Jordan
1963 Beetle, 5 spokes, 1776, dropped spindles, etc...
1973 Standard Beetle, stock.
1968 Fastback, stock for now

kevander · Post by **kevander** » Thu Aug 01, 2002 7:41 pm

JordanK, I'd appreciate the info since I don't have the Bentley book. Thanks.