If the shifter broke, you would feel it as all the detents are in the
transmission, not the shifter. The transmission relies on hydraulics
both to transfer power and engage the clutches. The first thing to check
is the fluid level. Failure of the direct clucht piston or accumulator
seal will render the transmission powerless.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of LC
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 7:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Automatic Transmission

Hi, does the automatic transmission just dies? Or it gives problems
before going south?
My van all the sudden it doesn't move...it starts but when I switch to
reverse or forward
it just increases the RPMs by 200. It could be that the transmission
cable shifter broke?
The van is parked on the street outside my house but is cold and snowy
out there.
Thanks

Francisco