Selector problem, maybe??

Hiya, I'm a newbie, I've had my car for a couple of weeks (1.8 gti cabby, born in 1992). She's a good car and has been perfect so far until…

i was going 60 and tried for 5th gear, it didn't feel like there was a fifth gear to go to so pulled over.

it seems that all the gears are there but where they are has totally shifted, mostly down and left, and neutral feels too easy to move about. It's feels like its every gear that's moved.

the clutch is normal, there's no odd sounds/smells.

i haven't even bought any manuals yet!! Does it sound like something's gone wrong with the selectors? Any advice would be much appreciated, I'm supposed to be taking her to Le Mans 24hr in a couple of weeks!

Thanks 

Check through the gear linkage first - easy enough to do, could be the problem and a cheap fix if it is! Something may have worked loose

It had popped out! She's now fixed and ready for her first big trip, to Le Mans next week! Thanks for your help

Glad you're sorted. What exactly had popped out? Was it one of the link rods with socket caps on the end? If the clip has broken it will pop off again so worth replacing

Yeah it was a ball and sockety thing, so I got a nice mechanic man to replace (apparently two were worn?) and give her a good check over so hopefully all is good now.  I'm a real novice so figured I better get someone in the know to have a look after I managed to get all my gears back!

Oh that's ok then - sounds like you shouldn't have an issue again

Same thing happened to me earlier this evening, whilst we were Traveling back from collecting my new addition we lost all gears, My Bro-In-Law sorted it luckily. He popped the bonnet and fiddled with something to the n/s just behind/side of the engine. Can't remember if he pushed something back in or pulled something out???? Is it easy to repair, could be my first job!?

Might have been one of the shift rods with the socket cap on the end. They could pop-off if the securing tab is broken or just worn with age

Gazza_Ling said

Same thing happened to me earlier this evening, whilst we were Traveling back from collecting my new addition we lost all gears, My Bro-In-Law sorted it luckily. He popped the bonnet and fiddled with something to the n/s just behind/side of the engine. Can't remember if he pushed something back in or pulled something out???? Is it easy to repair, could be my first job!?

did you end up fixing it yourself? I took mine to a garage as I was off on holiday and didn't have enough time to have a go. Another bit of the gear linkage bits that wernt replaced has now lost a rubber ring now so is clanging about, might try and see if I can do it myself!

just bought a kit myself off E Bay £6.00.
yet to do it myself but here's a how to.

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=how-to_2%2Fguide-refurbishing_2

Nice one thanks Chortle…

Touch wood hasn't done it since, certainly give it  crack myself. Ive just got a new client at work, great guy, turns out he's got 2 x Mk1's and one of which is a road legal racing spec… So I soon swapped numbers with the dude!! He told me gear linkage stuff is a good thing to start dabbling with… Watch this space.