Stuck in 3rd gear

Asked by Jennifer Aug 17, 2013 at 02:15 PM about the 1989 Toyota Corolla LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 1989 Toyota Corolla 5-speed manual transmission front wheel drive. A couple of months ago the 4th gear stopped working, but all other gears worked fine. We just shifted from 3rd to 5th, & the car ran great. But now, it is stuck in 3rd gear. When we step on the clutch, it's obviously engaging, because we can start the car, but we have to wind the heck out of it to get it to move anywhere (because it's in 3rd.) The gear shift won't move at all.

1 Answer

DavidH25 answered 10 years ago

Unfortunately Jennifer it sounds like time for a rebuilt transmission. Although a Corolla transmission should go 250,000+ miles if treated right, and if you keep driving it like that your clutch is going to go kaput when you least expect it and strand you. You will need a clutch while they are 'in there' anyway but you don't mention miles or if it ever has had a clutch put in. Just don't want you stranded. If you can, make the shop prove what was wrong, they are required by law to give you broken parts upon demand ...it COULD be linkage.

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