hifter won't go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

[brian]

hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

Hi,

On my '98 Jetta I can't always shift into first or reverse. Sometimes running back and forth in the shifter works (usually after one or two times, and "jamming" it into gear). The once or twice I had trouble into Reverse it took many tries.

Also seems that tranny gears will grind from time to time. Press the clutch pedal into the floor seems to eliminate this, but my old VW was not like it. The clutch cyl has been bled.

Any ideas?

 

[VelvetFoot]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

This guy had a shift rod replaced:

web page

 

[jck66]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

brian,
Have you considered taking the car to someone competent? You may just need a linkage adjustment.

 

[20ValveT]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

Brian I think your suffering from pressure plate fatigue.My clutch is on its way out and is starting to do the similar things. Before you put it into 1st try and hold the clutch in a bit longer to let the sycros wind down.

 

[Toronto_Vento]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

My clutch is on the way out as well, and I have a similar problem with getting into first. Not so much reverse, though. Anyhow, this only happens when the car is really cold, though. (so this may not apply)
The only actual problem I have is when I am driving and come up to a stop sign. Have to shift into first to get going again. I used to try and jam the shifter in, but I figure that isn't a good solution. Way I found to fix it, is when I am almost stopped, I shift the car into neutral, let the clutch pedal out, come to a COMPLETE stop, and then shift into first. Works like butter. I am hoping this is just a release bearing in my case (going to replace it when I drop the VR6 kit in eventually).

If this isn't related to your issue, then I might agree you need to get your linkages looked at and adjusted. I hope it isn't anything serious.

 

[brian]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

I have this problem at traffic lights after I've been sitting for a little while. It only does it every few days, so when it starts acting up, I get into the habit of shifting into first a while before the light turns green & hold the clutch to the floor. Sure hope it ain't the clutch, because I'd trade the car before I dump money into this POC. Thanks for the replies.

-brian

 

[brian]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

Sorry to be on the negative side, this is a frustrating problem. If anyone has more information please share it.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[John Beyer]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

At about 130k, our Passat started to grind going into 2cd and changing the fluid solved this. I used Red Line MT-90 which I am told is what the VW stuff is. I would check the linkage since it's hard to get into 1st an rev.

 

[brian]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

Hi John,

I replaced the fluid two days ago with some Mobil 1 75w-90 which is too thick in cold weather and it seemed to make things "firmer". I also hear something squeak when I go into Reverse, so I will check the linkage. Also going to switch to MTL this week. What are your impressions of the MT-90 in cold Ohio weather? I doubt the VW OEM fluid is Redline, its probably German - but that's MY opinion.

-brian

 

[weedeater]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

Brian, I would check the linkage first before anything else. I've found with mine that I have to push the clutch alot farther than on previous non-hydraulic clutch cars that I've owned. And there are no syncros for reverse.

 

[John Beyer]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

I've used the MT-90 in our Passat and my old GLI and both shift easy in the winter.

 

[Drivbiwire]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

Shift linkage...My money is on that.

All you need to do is loosen the 13mm nut on the shift arm on the linkage on the tranny. I would guess that you need to move it forward about 2-3mm, then retighten it. OR select reverse, loosen the nut then retighten it.

Keep in mind that over time the cables stretch and the shifter will need some adjustment.

DB

 

[brian]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

Pete,

When the rain stops I'll give that a try.

Have you had to adjust the shift linkage in your car?

Brian

 

[Drivbiwire]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

My sisters Passat GLX needed to be adjusted (same linkage) and I adjusted mine when I installed the shift kit from Diesel Geek.

Rule of thumbv anytime you get hard shifting in 1st, 2nd and reverse look first to the shift linkage due to those gears relationship with the shifter assembly.

The adjustment is a simple fore and aft adjustment so it only takes a few seconds to do.

DB

 

[Darel]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

This may not help much, but my bud has a '02 Golf TDI that was tough to get into "shifter-forward" gears, i.e. reverse, 1st, 3rd. Then one day none of those gears would engage at all. I found one of the c-clips that holds one of the linkages on the shift rod had fallen off, and the linkage wasn't doing anything. For $0.35 I fixed the problem, which was great since his wife was completely throwing a fit about the cost of a tranny rebuild!
Darel

 

[brian]

Re: hifter won\'t go into 1st or Reverse sometimes

I adjusted the shift linkage and shifting feels more precise now. Since this is an intermittant problem, time will tell if it holds up.

Thanks,
Brian