I've had my 1965 Mustang for more than 30 years, and my transmission has only recently started having a problem shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. I've been using the middle gear choice (the green dot surrounded by the white circle) forever, but suddenly, one day it wouldn't shift from first to second. So I started using the white dot choice made for driving on ice where the car starts in 2nd gear and goes to third. This choice works fine, but when using the main transmission choice, it still won't shift from first gear to second. Does anyone know what could be causing this and how to fix it?

 

Your transmission is likely a C-4 type. In the normal forward Drive position, green dot, the driving force is transmitted by a one-way clutch within the transmission. It's one purpose is to drive in first gear only in that position. In "1" position, the clutch is inoperative, and the transmission remains in 1st. gear., no shifting. If that clutch is damaged, worn out, inoperative, the vehicle will not move in that normal drive position selected.

 

Actually, the transmission has three choices. The first choice is marked with an L, which uses only first gear. I believe that's the one you're talking about. The second choice is the green dot with the white circle around it. That's supposed to use all three gears, and it's the one I've used to drive with for more than 30 years, but it is no longer working properly. (The third choice--a white dot only--begins in second gear and goes to third--for driving in icy conditions.)