I've had mine just go out on a few pushes on the pedal then it was gone. Is
it spongey feeling or little/ no resistance? Check the lube level in the
tranny?  Maybe syncros going out?

On Jul 25, 2011 3:41 PM, "Tom Buese" <tombuese@comcast.net> wrote:

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