I hate to be the bearer of potential bad news, but it sure sounds like your
3/4 slider hub. Same thing happened to me a while back (and many MANY
members on the list). I was driving from a highway, down an exit.. no
problems at all. Stopped at a light with clutch in, tranny in 3rd gear. When
the light turned green, the shifter wouldn't budge, and I couldn't get the
vehicle into any gear, save for a "false" neutral. With horns honking I was
able to coast the van off to a parking lot, from which it got towed.

In my case, the ring inside the transmission had shattered, and required a
rebuild (no cheap job I might add). I was fortunate to have found help from
list members and hooked up with an ace mechanic in Washington State who did
the job for me (thanks again Curt L.!).

Suggestions:

1) research the problem in the archives. Learn to use the mail search
function.. takes a bit to master but MUCH easier and faster than the web
search tools (www.vanagon.com).

2) Look at linkages and other more minor problems before jumping to the big
fix with the tranny

3) Get some recommendations for mechanics with transaxle and tranny
experience in your area.

For what its worth, I tried all kinds of things hoping the problem hasn't
the transmission. Changed oils, looked at linkages, etc. Even got the van to
pop back in gear, only to have it lock up after a few miles of driving. I'm
happy to report that thousands of miles later I've had no problems
whatsoever from the tranny. Best money spent in the long run.. bitch when it
happens.

I hope this helps a bit.

Bill

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Bradley Flubacher
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 3:26 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: (new to list!) tranny stuck in gear!
>
>
> '84 digijet, 4 spd
>
> I was happily driving along last night when I couldn't get it out of third
> gear.  Try as I might, I wouldn't go into the "real" neutral.  It seems to
> go into a "phantom" neutral that slightly grinds when I let out
> the clutch..
> scarey.
>
> I've tried to manually move the shaft on the tranny but couldn't move it
> much more than how I could inside the van.
>
> Someone recommended that I remove the linkage back at the tranny
> and try to
> move the shaft without it hooked up.
>
> I'm told by this same person that neutral is when the shaft slides in and
> out of the tranny,  and that each gear is a clockwise of counter clockwise
> rotation of the shaft.
>
> ANY INPUT??  I haven't found a trustworthy mechanic in the area that can
> handle this stuff.. inspections, sure,  but probably not this.
>
> Brad  (NEW TO LIST)
> Hi to person who stopped by my house (noticed my vanagons) and told me to
> subscribe to this list
>