1st Gear

[nabes]

Hi 'guys,

I have a problem with first gear on my '96 GL. Everynow and then the shifter just won't go into first, I find that the only way to pickup first gear is to put it in second and then do a pretty hard and direct shift up to first.
It appears to be worst when I have parked on a slope that slopes to the left of the vehicle. Sometimes you can't get first at all and the only way to get going is to dump a few revs in second.
Does anyone know of a nice easy fix for this or am I looking at a gearbox or clutch. I'm not that mechanically good, but just want to get an idea as to what the problem is so I don't get ripped!

Thanks,
Nathan

[bombsquad21]

Does 1st engage easily when the cars off? If so it's clutch related, probably. My car was doing this too, I used to have to take a double shot at a lot of gears...but it got better, now it just slips when I hammer it (under controlled conditions on private roads).

[DubSteve]

Could it be the trans oil maybe that needs changing?

[rayray086]

Having the same problem though I'm not too fussed about it as it rarely happens. Compared to other manual cars I've driven of the same age, it's decent lol.

Does it crunch?

[pommy_golfer]

i had the same prob with the VR when i first got it. What i did to remedy the problem is lossen the bolts on the linkage to the gearbox slightly(very poor description) shift the gears around a bit, leave it in first and retighten the bolts and it works like a dream.

Im talking about that big heavy black l shaped lever thing that moves when you change gears ( above the gearbox)....

dont know if that will help any of you but it worked for me....

[peedman]

Same problem here occuring every now and then. I just put the gear into 2nd or third with clutch in and then put it back in first.

[Golf Loon]

Linkages get slop in them. You have componants that need replacing.

[bboyskidz]

its the synchro. mine does that too. except now it is starting to do it on 2nd as well. i got a quote about a year ago for like $1400 or something. the dude reckoned he needed to replace the whole fricken gearbox.

is there anything else that can be fixed/replaced that will ease/fix the issue?

[Bora Sport]

Linkages get slop in them. You have componants that need replacing.

I agree with Loon. It is more than likely the orange rubber/plastic bush on the long linkage or else the plastic ball on the T piece at the front of that lever. You can easily check by crawling under the car (might need to jack it up). They are both visible directly behind the engine.

Its a common fault with the MK3's and Mk3's now that they are getting older. I hsve replaced a few of them. I can dig out a diagram and some part numbers later if anyone is interested.

[nabes]

So I'm not alone then.
I will try engaging whilst the engine is off to see if it's the clutch, and i'll have a look underneath at the linkages.

I can get away with it while I'm driving but when the Mrs takes it out she reports back how she only starts in 2nd gear now!! So I need to get it sorted. There is no crunching involved, when it does go into gear it goes in fine.