Wont shift into any gear

Ram1970 · #1 12-31-2008, 06:26 AM

Truck has been running and shifting fine, no problems at all. Got up this morning, warmed it up, hopped in to go to work and it wouldnt go into gear. Any gear. If the truck is turned "off" it goes into all gears. Checked fluids and all seems well. Where to start.........

1997
Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L, 8cyl

HEMIDAZE · #2 12-31-2008, 06:40 AM

A couple of assumptions... You have a standard transmission and a hydraulic clutch. If this is the case it sounds like your clutch is not releasing. The problem is most likely in the clutch linkage. Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. If it is OK the master cyl could be bad. If the fluid is low look for a leak.

Ram1970 · #3 12-31-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEMIDAZE

A couple of assumptions... You have a standard transmission and a hydraulic clutch. If this is the case it sounds like your clutch is not releasing. The problem is most likely in the clutch linkage. Check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder. If it is OK the master cyl could be bad. If the fluid is low look for a leak.

Correct, it is a standard transmission with a cydrolic clutch.

Checked the master cylinder and the fluid level is fine. Dont see a leak anywhere.

Any other suggestions? I need to fix this ASAP.

Ram1970 · #4 12-31-2008, 06:53 AM

Also, it there a way to test the master cylinder to tell if its bad or not?

Ram1970 · #5 12-31-2008, 08:12 AM

Could it be the linkage?

jpb53 · #6 12-31-2008, 09:27 AM

Could be the pressure plate is frozen. Also disc could be frozen to the flywheel.

clutch492 · #7 12-31-2008, 10:23 AM

If the disc is stuck to the flywheel (we used to have this problem on the farm with a tractor) put the truck in first gear, push on the clutch pedal, (engine not running), pull the truck with another vehicle. This should pop the disc free from the flywheel. I assume you were driving it in a lot of sloppy roads, ice, freezing temperatures. The flywheel was probably wet and the disc literally froze to the flywheel.

HEMIDAZE · #8 12-31-2008, 11:08 AM

The only physical linkage should be the clutch fork and possibly a rod between the slave cylinder and the fork. Have someone step 0on the clutch while you watch the movement of the fork. If it moves some and then moves back (while they are still holding the clutch down) it would indicate a bad master cylinder. It is unlikely that your clutch would stick on something you drive every day.

Ram1970 · #9 12-31-2008, 12:55 PM

Well, had it towed to a garage. They said that if its the clucth it'll cost $944.00! Is that highway robbery or what?

clutch492 · #10 01-01-2009, 09:07 AM

HEMIDAZE is right. It is "unlikely" that the clutch would stick to the flywheel on a vehicle that you drive every day. HOWEVER, this is winter, and I have seen this happen when you park the vehicle and the moisture on the flywheel freezes.

Just think, when you wash your car in the winter-time. The next morning you would be lucky to get the door open. Put 2 & 2 together............The clutch is in the same boat. Park it wet, and you would have a hard time getting the clutch to come away from the flywheel in the cold morning.

Throw a space heater under it for a while. Warm it up under there. HEMIDAZE would probably bark about this too. So, for a little commedy...........

The worst that could happen is that you burn down the truck and then you can collect insurance and get a new one HA HA HA HA.

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