> I was driving my 84 Leaker yesterday to pick up a replacement exhaust pipe
> for #1 & #3.  Part of the distance is on a dirt road.  First thing that
> happened was the trans would not go into second.  Then wouldn't go into
> 1st.  Then 3rd and finally the trans would not go into any gear.  The
> clutch appears to still be working and I can shift into all of the gears
> with the engine off.  If I start the car after turning off the engine,
> sometimes I can get into the gear I was in with the engine off.  Really
> weird.  I am guessing something broke in the trans (4 speed manual) but if
> it did, there was no noise or grind.  Anyone have any ideas?

Check your clutch function and your brake fluid level.  Perhaps the brake
fluid is leaking somewhere or it got low and there's air in the slave
clutch cylinder as your hydraulic clutch shares its fluid with the braking
system.  You still should be able to drive the van by starting engine in
1st and then matching your revs as you shift, but you have to be very,
very gentle and avoid grinding the gears.

Chris S.
'85 Wolfsburg Westy "Camel"
http://www.knology.net/~vw/dadada.jpg