PFF - Pennock's Fiero Forum, PDA Edition

Fiero won’t go into gear (Page 1/2)

Sentero

SEP 13, 02:29 PM

I have a 1984 SE that I swapped with a 5 speed and 4 cylinder from an 86. Swapped the cables, and everything to make it right. When I go to put the car in gear, it clicks in like normal. When I release the clutch, nothing happens. Doesn’t move. Doesn’t stall. Nothing. I can shift it around without the clutch being pressed while it’s running. Nothing happens. Any ideas?

Dennis LaGrua

SEP 13, 04:16 PM

Did you bleed the hydraulic clutch system when you installed everything? That means a bleeding of the master and slave cylinders.

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Sentero

SEP 13, 04:31 PM

I did bleed everything, as best as I thought i could. I can always do more. What confuses me is that I can shift it without the clutch being pushed while it’s running, but nothing happens to stop the car from running

Patrick

SEP 13, 06:26 PM

quote

Originally posted by Sentero:

When I go to put the car in gear, it clicks in like normal.

Is this a 5-spd that is known to be good?

If you can "shift" gears without stepping in the clutch (and the car isn't rolling), then either the select levers on the transmission aren't actually being moved (out of Neutral), or the transmission is toast.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-13-2024).]

Sentero

SEP 13, 06:47 PM

Patrick, it was not a known good transmission. Person I bought it from was swapping to an auto v6, so that’s why he parted ways with it. Unfortunately I’m suspecting this is why it was taken out of the car originally

Patrick

SEP 13, 07:23 PM

Believe me, I'm not chastising you... but did you try putting the 5-spd into gear while "on the bench" before installing it, and turning the input shaft to see that the gears were all working?

If not, I suspect the worst... but before you drop the cradle, disconnect the shift cables from the transmission and try manually shifting the levers on the trans (with the engine not running) into gear. Then start the engine (with the clutch disengaged), slowly engage the clutch, and see what happens. It's unlikely, but it's possible the shift cables are simply not moving the transmission levers intro the correct position for the various gears.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-13-2024).]

Sentero

SEP 13, 08:10 PM

I understand completely! I should have tested more things before I did the job. Engine and trans were mated together already. Didn’t try to separate them. I just took the engine and trans out and put the new ones in. Unfortunately I think rushing bit me in the butt

Patrick

SEP 13, 08:44 PM

quote

Originally posted by Sentero:

Engine and trans were mated together already. Didn’t try to separate them. I just took the engine and trans out and put the new ones in.

I guess the reason why that surprises me a little, is that replacing the Fiero's clutch is a bit of a job... so usually the clutch would be replaced (whether it actually needed it or not) while the transmission is out of the car. Oh well, lesson learned, eh!

Sentero

SEP 13, 10:03 PM

Yeah, I agree. I was in a rush to get it done and didn’t think to do that. Unfortunately. Now that I’ve officially learned my lesson, I’ll never make the same mistake again!

Dennis LaGrua

SEP 19, 09:07 AM

After reading all of your posts, I would assume that the cradle needs to be dropped and the transmission sent out for rebuilding (provided the case is not cracked). It sounds like you may have the Isuzu transmission.