[gratefuljeep]

Im lookin for some ideas on how to fix this problem.... my jeep has been sitting for about a year and now wont shift when the engine is running. Its a manual trans. 6cyl. with 75k miles. I went to get it back on the road the other day and after changing the oil and battery it started up and runs great. it starts in neutral fine, but wont shift into gear... it wont start when its in gear with the clutch pressed down. it just tries to creep forward when the starter goes. i can push it up the driveway fine when its in neutral and when i try to push it in gear its tougher so i think its in gear then. i was told to try and rock it in gear to free up the clutch plate but that did nothing. thanks for any ideas

[a87bronco2]

Sounds to me like the clutch is rusted to the flywheel........

[gratefuljeep]

is there a way to get it unstuck? would i need a new clutch?

[a87bronco2]

I'm not really sure about it...I've heard of this happening, but I don't know what people do to get it unstuck. You might get somebody to pull your Jeep with it in like 1st or 2nd gear and you pushing the clutch in. Maybe that will get it unstuck. If you can get it unstuck without taking it apart I wouldn't worry about it. If you have to take it apart, you may as well replace it, ya know?

[madhouse]

i agree. sounds like something along the lines of a stuck clutch. check your slave cylinder and all the piping from the pedal to the clutch. depending on what kind of clutch you have, i can't really see it rusting to the flywheel. i think the more reasonable approach is some part of your linkage is malfunctioning.

[a87bronco2]

Originally Posted by madhouse

i agree. sounds like something along the lines of a stuck clutch. check your slave cylinder and all the piping from the pedal to the clutch. depending on what kind of clutch you have, i can't really see it rusting to the flywheel. i think the more reasonable approach is some part of your linkage is malfunctioning.

Yea, I meant to ask if your clutch felt right. If it feels like it's operating properly I found a site that has a procedure for freeing your stuck clutch in an MG (I'm sure it'd work for a Jeep too). Here it is.

Good luck.

[J-Mox]

We used to have a old pickup that did this yearly after sitting all winter and this is what worked for us. If you need to, pull the clutch defeat fuse so you can start the Jeep in gear, get it rolling with a little throttle and with the left foot start hitting the brake pedal. After a few times it should break the clutch loose.

[Keith_C]

Is there fluid in the clutch master cylinder ?

[gratefuljeep]

yes the master cyl. has the correct amount of fluid. everything was working fine before it sat, and the tranny fluid is where it is suposed to be. do you guys think it is ok to try and drop it from the jack like was stated in this MG link: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/clutch/ct_104.htm

[a87bronco2]

Originally Posted by gratefuljeep

yes the master cyl. has the correct amount of fluid. everything was working fine before it sat, and the tranny fluid is where it is suposed to be. do you guys think it is ok to try and drop it from the jack like was stated in this MG link: Freeing a stuch clutch in an MG

I would try just hitting the brakes as described just before dropping it on the ground. That's easy enough to do with one person...I would put the rear axle on jack stands, rather than just a jack though. It's a lot safer. If that doesn't work then I would try the dropping the Jeep. If that doesn't work......I would resort to pulling the transmission.

[gratefuljeep]

ok i will give it a try tonight or tomorrow and see what happens. thanks for your help bronco2

[a87bronco2]

No problem

[Ole Yeller]

I would check the hydraulic parts real good before I pursued the stuck clutch theory.

[gratefuljeep]

how do you check and make sure the slave cyl. is working properly?

[a87bronco2]

If the clutch feels normal, then the slave cylinder and master cylinder should be fine.