Downshifting on a hill yesterday my bug stalled. Clutch in, she started up no problem but its now stuck in first. Limped home at 8mph.
Did my due diligence in the Bentley manual as well as the other six books I have. No joy. The shifter moves into every position *except* first. I get solid resistance in that position. I've looked online and in the back pages of this group and everywhere on the net I could think of and here's what I've tried so far.
Pulled the refill oil plug on the transmission case. Tried to pry the ring -- internet posts vary -- forward and backward trying to get it to "pop into neutral". No luck.
I've heard of some mechanics using a coat hanger to do something in there? or people "loosening the nose cone" to get the hockey stick back into the shift selector.
If I'm wasting my time, let me know and I'll order a rebuilt (recommendations appreciated) but want to make sure I've exhausted the options I have in my garage. ( I've never swapped out a motor/transmission before but being laid off I have the time and my neighbor has a lift and as mentioned I have the manuals and can get a BugMe video.)
thanks
-griff