Date:         Mon, 29 May 2017 14:16:32 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      5-speed shift linkage..
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I've just been doing some transmission maintenance:  Fresh Swepco 201 in my
now about 35k mile-AA Transaxle rebuilt 5 speed.  No issues at all..
  Recently I queried about the linkage adjustment and got lots of good
answers, but no one mentioned the 5sp linkage seems to not be shown in the
bently and that there is a lockout pin under the floor pan to keep you  out
of reverse.   I noticed my lockout function seemingly went away.over my
winter travels..so while I was waiting for the oil to level out, I took off
the spare to look at the linkage...In the spare wheel I found a cool spring
loaded plunger and a nasty greasy ripped boot...: "Hmm" thinks I,   Cut to
the chase, I found it with a Google Image  search...Showed that plunger I
found in the spare tire, and where it was supposed to go.. and from there,
I put it back together properly...
     Lesson learned?....When you are camping and you want to shift gears
for some reason....get into the drivers seat and clutch, with the brakes
on....Don't just reach over the front seat and force the gear lever into
neutral.  I must have been in my reverse and somehow sucked that lockout
plunger loose during a lazy shift with no clutch.
     The 'boot" that is on that lockout pin was shot in my linkage..I've a
few time squirted lubricants into that square enclosure with all the
fulcrum points, etc...I think I probably stuck that plunger by using some
white lithium grease from a spray tube a few times, sprayed in
there,"blind"...seems to be leaving a nasty sticky mess...