'84 BRAT GL, 4-speed dual-range somehow stuck in third and refuses to release...it's not the clutch. Simply can't het the shifter to move...any idea what to do, folks? Or does anyone have a good tranny they'd like to sell?

Dying to get my love back on the road...

Are all your tires the same size if   Is it stuck in 4 wheel drive also?

Edited February 15, 201511 yr by SuperBrat

My '84 wagon does that in 4th (I mean STUCK) if I come to a stop w/o going into neutral or downshifting. Then, I have to get moving in 4th 'till I can get out of 4th. Try that.

That happened to me once in 5th gear in my GL.

 

Are you sure the clutch is disengaging?

 

Hows about getting the front wheels in the air and trying to get it out of gear?

Yeah fellas, I've tried all of the above. It's happened before if I let the car stop with the shifter in third gear. But now it won't release from 3 regardless. Wondering if maybe the synchro ring came apart and is jammed in the works? Starting to think it's a lost cause and should be replaced outright....

Thats what mine did. For a while it would kindof hangup in 3rd, but with enough force would pop but ...then finally it was stuck stuck. I replaced it with a 5speed.

Thats what i recommend....the gear spread on the 5 speed is sooo much better than the 4 speed.

Hi This is Jerry, it's time to change your trans to a 5 speed dual range. I make a kit for your brat to install a 5 speed in it and everything remains stock inside of your brat, let me know if you want a kit. Thanks Jerry

Yup, go for 5. Probably be easier to find and you'll be much happier.

I'm looking at getting a 1981 hatchback 4wd . It seems like the transmission will only go in forth gear ? If I can't find exact transmission what are my options . Thanks

options:
swap the transmission. steamboat springs has one for $150 for a 1981 Hatch:   970-879-8178

 

do you mean "it's stuck in 4th" or the shifter will physically only go in 4th gear.  i'm not sure there's much practical difference as i'm not a trans expert, but i have a time or two seen a car stuck in gear that was the fault of the clutch...maybe i wasn't trying hard enough but a new clutch has fixed a shifter that won't come out of gear.

 

VWtech - you're not going to have time for transmission R&R between all those ECU reflashes are you?! lol

Yep,  listen to the above.  Most like your synchro is has hung up.  You can try removing the linkage and shift boot covers and tapping the base of the shifter with a rubber mallet.  I did this and it popped out.  I replaced the oil with good synthetic and haven't had a problem.  That does not mean it is a guaranteed fix because the problem is still there.

 

Just my opinion might be worth trying.

 

Good Luck