M38 on drives forward in "neutral"

jcwillock · Post by **jcwillock** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:23 am

After 9 long years I finished my CDN M38 and drove it for 1800 miles this summer. This past week I thought I would see how it did in the snow for a little Canadian winter fun. Started out great, but then the tranny has done something odd.

It will only drive is 3rd gear (I'm guessing) and shifter is in 'neutral' does not seem to matter where the transfer case shifter is located. No reverse at all. It made for some fun pushing it out of the snow bank.

I need some suggestions I'm not sure how this could happen.

BullRun · Post by **BullRun** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:38 am

I am just guessing here but it sounds like something has worked its way loose probably a pin or something that prevents shifting and not the actual gear sets.

But since we are having such cold weather is it possible ice has formed in your transmission or transfer case?

I once found a 1942 GPW for sale in December that the owner swore had a ruined transmission for $800 bucks as a parts vehicle. I got it home and found a block of ice inside the trasmission case and transfer case. After thawing it out and putting in fresh oil I drove it the rest of the winter and another 3 years before selling it to a neighbor who wanted to restore it. Should of kept it!

I would drain your oil and pass a magnet through the oil and around the drain plug opening to see if you can find any metal debris. If nothing is found I would start looking at loose external linkages before removing anything major. I would bet it is something simple to fix.

major519 · Post by **major519** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:19 pm

How about pulling the transmission cover for a little look see? My bets are on a broken or loose shifter fork, hence shes stuck in whatever gear.

toojeeps · Post by **toojeeps** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:32 pm

I concur with Major519