Seized Gear Linkages

G'day,
So I've sat my 2010 Jetta waiting for the buyback and didn't move it around often enough. Manual transmission, and now it is really hard to change gears. I've managed to row the gears 1 through 6 with some effort, but simply cannot get it into reverse.
I don't want to run into any issues with RicePoint calling the car not driveable when it comes to the buyback appointment (August 29th), so I'm guessing I need to sort this out before hand...
Can anyone provide me with some advice or instructions on how to get at the linkages between the stick and the transmission to potentially clean them up and lube them?
Since the car worked fine before parking it - I'm assuming it is external to the transmission and the pure result of corrosion.

Sean.

More likely would the clutch not releasing completely. Corrosion on the flywheel and/or pressure plate or perhaps the clutch fluid level is a little low.

I really don't think it is a clutch issue. I can change 3 to 4 and back and forth with no issue. Only issue is any side to side motion on the gear shift itself. 1 and 2 are hard to reach, 5 and six are hard to reach, reverse is not possible. It is the side to side motion of the gear lever itself that is a problem.

Help?

Sean.

gate selector lever shaft needs lubed or the bushings removed and impinging corrosion removed from the bushing bore

also make sure some critter has not built a nest around the shifter mechanism blocking full dowward travel of the shift shaft

You will have to remove the air cleaner box to get to parts of the linkage that are most likely giving you issues. Follow the link, a proper re-adjustment of the linkages is easy and is indicated as well.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/how-to-adjust-your-vw-and-audi-manual-shifter-cables/

Great information - thank you very much. I'll try and take a poke at that tomorrow and report back on the results.

Sean.

Thanks everyone for the help - all fixed now!

I took the air box out, the battery and the battery tray to get at the linkages. Turns out it was the pivot pin that translates the left\right of the gearshift into the up\down on the transmission pin that was nearly seized. It was really seized, so getting it out was a challenge. I poured ice water on it which shrunk the housing enough to be able to wiggle the plastic part out. Cleaned it up, greased it, put it all back together and adjusted the cables. Works perfectly now!

Sean.