You might try to move your hi/low shift slide either forward or back to see if it is in between gears (or in the neutral position) that is the most popular problem we have seen. If that will not fix it, you probably will have to replace the transmission. The part number is 613237-00 Let me know if that will take care of the problem.

Thanks,

WJA

Hi lg1,

It sounds to me like more of a transmission issue than a clutch problem. In fact my first guess would be that the gear selector on the transmission is sitting in between two gears. When this occurs it is as if the transmission is in a neutral position. The motor will run but the chuck can be stopped by just lightly grasping it.

If you confirm that it is not set in between the gears and the problem still persists then one or more of the gears in the transmission have likely failed. To make the repair you will need to replace the gearbox assembly. It is part #613237-00 and is available from http://ereplacementparts.com.

I hope this helps with your repair!

-Mark

I found my own answer. YES the clutch is part of the transmission. A$ 34.00 quick fix.

Hi Edtheted,

If the gears on one of the speeds are slipping you will need to replace the transmission assembly. A cordless drill transmission is quite complex to repair internally so the manufactures don't bother to offer individual transmission parts. Any cost saved in replacing an internal part would be lost to labor! Replacing the transmission assembly is an easy repair. You can order a new transmission for your drill here.

Good luck with your repair and let us all know how it turns out!

-UtahAV
-Mark

Hey hoarfrost,
Those steel pins actually sit on the outside of a round metal shift collar at separate locations..[the one with 4 tabs on it] they help support the collar with its function..
most repair shops wont even try to reassemble those transmission..[I asked a dewalt center for help and they replied.."Are ya kiddin me?!..]
so good job on your reassembly..:)
Hope this helps?
Craig

Yep! That was indeed the missing piece. Got lucky today and had a chance to crack open a DC980 to take a peek as well...was surprised to see the pins sitting vertically around the shift collar and not horizontally between the spokes as I had imagined first reading your post. Any idea what exactly they manage to do in that position?


Thanks a lot for your help!

hi,ive just joined this forum,
if you like i can email or attach a picture breakdown for this tool,im a uk service agent for dewalt so have lots of experience,

Every schematic that I find shows an entirely different drill inside. You are better than I am. I knew where the pins went but can not get the drill to function. Got something in backwards or in wrong order. Wont link removed you help me?

Hi tripletdaduk - if you're still around, I would love to see that transmission diagram. I was attempting to clean my DC983 (the motor smells like burning) and as per usual, the transmission fell on the floor and disassembled itself into approximately 100,000 pieces. I was able to re-assemble it and it works, except the chuck no longer self-rachets. It's a Jacobs chuck. I did not re-install the four (at least, I only found four) steel pins because I didn't know where they went - could this be why the self-ratcheting doesn't work?

Before dis-assembly, self-ratcheting worked most of the time (it's an old drill) but now it barely works.

Despite the age of the drill, the transmission appears to be in relatively good contition. How do these transmissions wear out?

BTW, they're not that difficult to reassemble, although it does take some patience and lots of trial & error. I'll post pics after I dis/re-assemble with the pins installed.

Thanks,
-Jamie