Hi Volks,

84 vanagon w/ 4 speed tranny-has always shifted well (144k) except when clutch cylinders leaked & got low on brake fluid- have replaced master brake & clutch slave cylinders in the last year/ 4+- years. No problems recently until the other day, couldn't downshift into 1st w/o turning off engine & starting w/ clutch fully depressed. Thot it was low brake fluid so fudged my way home & topped off resevoir which was only down 1/2" +-.  Depressed clutch & brake several times & it seemed to work until today when I  had to do the ole turn off/start engine again trick when ever I needed to get it in gear.  Higher gears sometimes had same issue, but not always.  WTF?

It seems like a clutch issue?  Could that happen suddenly?  Or is it a shifting linkage issue?   Hmmm, come to think of it, I believe that the clutch master cylinder has not ever been replaced.  Can that puppy go w/o any signs of leaking, warning signs???

Your kokua(help) would be appreciated.

Mr. BZ-5 miles to home before I sleep