Transmission problem, help please

[ronbonner]

Can anyone identify what has happened on my transmission please?

Tonight whilst dropping from 6th to 5th my transmission made an awful noise and I lost 1,3,5 & Reverse gears. I had to limp home using the remaining even numbered gears. In trying to select one of the failed gear I did manage to engage 5th but only the once.

And the irony of all this is I was driving home after attending the UK launch party for the new Boxster!!!!!

Any guidance would be appreciated and for all the guys in the USA, happy thanksgiving.

MY2000 C4 Coupe 6 speed

[ADias]

Probably only Loren or Toolpants will have an idea of what could have been. It surely does not sound good.

Could you be more precise and describe how you made the shift ? What speed? How quickly did you do the shift? Did you pause in neutral? Was the clutch fully engaged until you finished the shift to 5th?

My understanding is that Porsche dealers only replace transmissions (expensive). I do not know how much independents will charge for a tranny rebuild. In any case, unless seriously abused (and I assume it is not the case here) manual transmission failures should be an extremely rare event - but it does not appear to be so rare, recently, w/ Porsche. If you have always serviced the car w/ the dealer and have a good relationship w/ him, maybe PAG out of good will, will take care of it.

Edited November 25, 2004 by ADias

[ronbonner]

Adias,

Thinking back to the incident now I may have been changing fom 4th to 3rd because I was overtaking a slower vehicle. The change down was a fast change and the noise did feel as if the clutch had not engaged fully. I don't suspect that the clutch is to blame here as it was replaced only 8,000 miles ago and had given no indication to malfunction.

The wierd thing is that all the gear shifts back (stick towards the rear of the vehicle) operate faultlessly but all the the selections made with the stick pushed forward feel as is they are not engaging anything.

Loren/toolpants, you got any theorys.

[Loren]

There is a chance that something has happened to the cable or shift linkage. Both should be inspected for proper operation. If the cables and linkage are in order then it is not likely good.

[RayGT3]

The plastic linkage connecting the shifter and cable has been known to fail. Some have changed this piece to a metal one to prevent this breakage. If your lucky this may be your problem. Please let us know what you find.

[ronbonner]

Loren/RayGT3,

Thanks Guys,

Your conclusions match the thoughts of a couple of Technicians this side of the pond, one an indipendant, the other at Porsche but I won't know until my dealer takes the car and inspects what has occured.

I will keep you posted on just what happened.

Best Regards

Ron

[jimmyq]

I would be surprised if it was the tranny. They are built pretty strong. I agree that it might just be the linkage.