Shifter identity

[harley1955]

2001 Jetta TDI that started out as an auto and I had it converted to a manual by Kansas City TDI. Trans and shifter came from a member here. Had this done about 10 yrs ago. Trans has been kinda hard to get into 5th lately so thought I might need to adjust the shifter. When it goes to the right and up for 5th the bottom of it hits on the left side. Anyone recognize this shifter and how to adjust it? O2J EGR Trans.

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• harley1955
• Jul 20, 2022

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• harley1955
• Jul 20, 2022

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• harley1955
• Jul 20, 2022

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• harley1955
• Jul 20, 2022

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• harley1955
• Jul 20, 2022

 

[compu_85]

That's a 99.5 shifter - the big reverse light switch on top is the giveaway. The bolted on weight is another.

-J

 

[Windex]

That and the double pivot instead of the ball-style level on the inside.

OP - find the parts needed to swap this over to the newer 2000 and up shifter style, you will see a marked improvement in the shift quality.

Note that you can use the shifter mechanism from a gas or diesel transmission.

Only hard-to-get part is the sector shaft that goes down into the transmission and the assosiacted bushing from the bottom of the trans (two bolts - VW logo) - not all junkyards want to sell that part as it makes the transmission hard to sell after.

 

[gforce1108]

If you google 02a to 02j shifter conversion / upgrade you can see what's involved.

 

[harley1955]

Thanks everyone! Can always count on you guys for the great help.

 

[mrGutWrench]

I recently broke one of the shift cables (worn out at 550,000 miles) and as part of that repair rebuilt the shifter box with the Diesel-Geek upgrade. I suspect that that upgrade is only for the 2000MY+ plus type, but it's a great improvement.
As to your adjustment question, the later type has two "eyes". When you shift it to a certain position, the two eyes line up -- put a small drill bit (or the special tool) through the eyes to hold it in line and follow the adjustment from there. It's quick and easy and makes a lot of difference to smoothness and correct shift points. (I think the adjustment procedure is a "sticky" on a post on this forum, if not, it's often shown on general VW websites.
The amended adjustment is another good reason to change to the later shifter parts.

 

[harley1955]

I recently broke one of the shift cables (worn out at 550,000 miles) and as part of that repair rebuilt the shifter box with the Diesel-Geek upgrade. I suspect that that upgrade is only for the 2000MY+ plus type, but it's a great improvement.
As to your adjustment question, the later type has two "eyes". When you shift it to a certain position, the two eyes line up -- put a small drill bit (or the special tool) through the eyes to hold it in line and follow the adjustment from there. It's quick and easy and makes a lot of difference to smoothness and correct shift points. (I think the adjustment procedure is a "sticky" on a post on this forum, if not, it's often shown on general VW websites.
The amended adjustment is another good reason to change to the later shifter parts.

Yes I've seen the vids on youtube, knew something was not right when mine didn't look like that.

 

[harley1955]

So I did a search on ebay and came up with these:

VW MK4 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GOLF 5 SPEED MANUAL 02J SHIFTER TOWER + CABLE ENDS 00-05 | eBay

Genuine 5 speed shifter TOWER removed from a Volkswagen Jetta MK4 generation, year 2002 to 2005. Fits also Volkswagen Golf and New Beetle with a 5 speed manual 02J transmission. No loose in it, internals are OK and there is no loose when the part is installed.

www.ebay.com

VW 02J gear shifter assembly/cables | eBay

<p>VW MK4 02J gear shifter assembly used in several VW model cars generally used in conjunction with the 02J/02A transmission. </p><p> Bushings are in good condition!</p>

www.ebay.com

I assume those are the parts I will need?

 

[BobnOH]

HOW-TO: 1999.5 MK4 02J Shift Linkage Upgrade

 

[Windex]

So I did a search on ebay and came up with these:

VW MK4 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GOLF 5 SPEED MANUAL 02J SHIFTER TOWER + CABLE ENDS 00-05 | eBay

Genuine 5 speed shifter TOWER removed from a Volkswagen Jetta MK4 generation, year 2002 to 2005. Fits also Volkswagen Golf and New Beetle with a 5 speed manual 02J transmission. No loose in it, internals are OK and there is no loose when the part is installed.

www.ebay.com

VW 02J gear shifter assembly/cables | eBay

<p>VW MK4 02J gear shifter assembly used in several VW model cars generally used in conjunction with the 02J/02A transmission. </p><p> Bushings are in good condition!</p>

www.ebay.com

I assume those are the parts I will need?

Yes. There is one more item missing. A bracket on the top of the transmission that holds the cables in place. That bracket is held in place with 3 bolts and has two holes... One for each cable end.
The bracket is different between your current shifter style and the newer style.

 

[mrGutWrench]

I love this website.