Can't get 1st on the selector-only starting doing it today!

**dubai gti** · 21-11-2009, 05:06 PM

well now I'm using the beast more frequently, I can now see why you have a thread on what did u fix on ur Mk 1 today? !!

I've had a few traffic light starts where I thought I had shifted into 1st, but alas it was 3rd...now, today during a blast up to the Elwood shops, won't shift into 1st at all. Had a look under the bonnet and seemed to select all gears, by shifting directly at the selector lever on the side of the 'box.

Any ideas on where I adjust/wack/curse...?? (a complete new linkage bush kit was installed as part of the engine swap)

**h100vw** · 21-11-2009, 06:33 PM

Needs adjusting I reckon. Can't explain how, it's too hard to write it down. There'll be an explanation of how on the net somewhere.

Gavin

**roccodingo** · 21-11-2009, 10:36 PM

did you align the engine mounts as per the manual ?? then adjust the shift linkage once that is done correctly.

Has a huge bearing on operational efficiency.

**paulie71** · 22-11-2009, 12:34 PM

The symptoms you note sound like the linkages for the gear shifter are out of alignment, has worn bushes, or an engine mount is out of alignment/collapsed

First thing you need to do is to check your engine mounts and confirm they are in tact. If so, align your engine mounts so that the engine and transmission is aligned correctly.

Next is to check and/or replace the bushes on the linkages (buy a linkage kit-I got mine from Volkspower and it was very cheap).

Finally, align you linkages. If you have a Haynes Manual for Mk1 Golfs it is on pages 142-143. Failing that, use these simple tips.
1. ensure car is on a flat piece of ground and the gearshifter is in neutral.
2. Remove the big rubber boot that covers the bottom of the gearshifter from under the car so you can see the shifter mechanism. the key bits are the finger (the L shaped bit off the shifter) and the stop plate (the solid bit of steel that is parallel to the finger).
3. Using spanners and a ruler adjust the shift rod by loosening the clamp to allow forward/back & left/right adjustments. (the clamp is near the rear of the engine bay close to the exhaust)
4. the finger should be positioned exactly centred relative to the stop plate and a gap of approx 20mm between the finger and the stop plate.
5. tighten up the clamp and test out the movement of the gearshifter from within the cabin. If it feels alright-then cover the shifter mechanism under the floor and test drive the little sucker.

See how you go

**Campaign** · 22-11-2009, 06:43 PM

20mm gap for a 4-speed, 15mm for 5-speed if I remember correctly.
side of a matchbox is 15 mm I think.

**dubai gti** · 22-11-2009, 06:50 PM

all fixed...before reading paulie's post, I did a quick search on the forum, and tried the loosening of the gear shift base plate, which in my case was only the front bolt(the rear is fouled by the centre console and my u/j in my socket set is busted) anyway, with a bit of off-set, it now goes into 1st and continued to do so 'round the block.

..here's to next weekend's possible dramas!!

(this beast only gets used on weekends !)

**roccodingo** · 22-11-2009, 11:43 PM

check to see if you can still select gears while going briskly round a corner, that will tell you if the linkage is adjusted ok.

**dubai gti** · 23-11-2009, 12:06 PM

thanks roccodingo, will do.

**paulie71** · 24-11-2009, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by dubai gti

all fixed...before reading paulie's post, I did a quick search on the forum, and tried the loosening of the gear shift base plate, which in my case was only the front bolt(the rear is fouled by the centre console and my u/j in my socket set is busted) anyway, with a bit of of-set, it now goes into 1st and continued to do so 'round the block.

..here's to next weekend's possible dramas!!

(this beast only gets used on weekends !)

Good stuff, helps to be able to change gears!

Re: adjusting the base plate-as a general rule these are least likely to shift over time, I avoided this piece as the items I flagged for checking will go before the base plate.

The joys of an old car can be summed up by your quote:

"here's to next weekend's possible dramas!!"

So true, yet so much fun, otherwise we'd drive new cars that have the personality of a blank envelope

**dubai gti** · 24-11-2009, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by paulie71

The joys of an old car can be summed up by your quote:

"here's to next weekend's possible dramas!!"

So true, yet so much fun, otherwise we'd drive new cars that have the personality of a blank envelope

Thanks Paul..we wouldn't do it if we were sane, but hey, it's all part of the fun !! [and that comes from a good 23 years of god knows how many Foreign cars I've owned, and none Italian (yet)

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