Gear Shifter No Click Index Failed?

[BSA]

I have an old mountain bike (15+ years old) with under bar quick fire gear shifters shimano branded. Its a 21 speed bike the gear shifter for front 3 gears works (moves the derailleur) but fails to click and hold in position so as soon as i let go the chain drops back on the smallest cog. This means I only have 7 out of 21 gears.

The rear gears work fine up and down the 7 cogs. I have not used the bike for a couple of years and when I stoped using alll the gears were working correctly.

Can they be serviced are will I need a replacement and can you still get them for something this old?

I can take some photos later if that helps diagnose.

Thanks for any help

 

[tyred]

The front derailleur on these old MTBs were usually friction shifters on the ones I've seen. Is there a screw you can tighten to hold it in position better? On mine, there is a type of large nut which can be tightened by hand.

 

[jpembroke]

This does happen to quick fire shifters sometimes - the ratchet just fails. I've replaced a few like this. Either that or there's something wrong with your front mech. First thing I'd do is refit the cable to the front mech and make sure the limiter screws are set correctly. If it still doesn't work then it probably means you need a new front shifter. I've got a spare rapid fire front shifter if you're interested. Alternatively, go for the really cheap option and fit a non-indexed, friction shifter (you could get one of these off pretty much any bike dumped in a skip ).