Cannot get gears MK3 16V

[rallyg]

hi I've got a 96gti mk3 for wifey and was running great. pulling fine no clutch wear . she pulled up at lights and could not get any gears at all when ready to pull away . when i got there i found a gear by hand and got it back home .iv not worked on a golf  before so looking for some advice the cable end,s seem,s a bit sloppy  but i can get reverse and 1 other gear i think this will be 5th? but theres nothing broken that i can see has anyone had this problem any advice please.

Was hoping to have a bash at it tomorrow if i can get some pointers.

[jambo_the_great]

i have the same problem except now i think i made it worse i only get second

[Seanl]

First of all, lift the gaitor and have a look if anything is fouling. You should be a le to see which gear your selecting better then as well. Next up is a new linkage kit. About £25 but should help with any play between gears etc. Is it happening with the engine running or is it the same when it's not?

[stow1985]

First of all, lift the gaitor and have a look if anything is fouling. You should be a le to see which gear your selecting better then as well. Next up is a new linkage kit. About £25 but should help with any play between gears etc. Is it happening with the engine running or is it the same when it's not?

Hi Sean, sent you a pm don't know if it sent tho, regarding the linkage kit 

[thai-wronghorse]

May I just step in here and add that the 16v doesn't have a rod change gear linkage like the 8v therefore a ''linkage kit'' is not available as mentioned. Instead it has a cable shifting set up which has very few linkage parts in comparison.
The gear change on these is notoriously sh!te and i for one bloody hate it but live with it after much fettling and the addition of a few modified and upgraded components.
There are still some plastic parts on the shift tower on top of the gearbox that can be replaced as these do eventually wear out and become sloppy and vague in feeling through the gearstick.
Id be inspecting the gearbox end of the cables first to see if any thing is loose, worn or has slipped out of place. The two main parts that wear out are still available from VW and equate to about £40 or so iirc.
An gearbox oil change did help matters on mine as well.

[Dan_GTi8v]

can you get all gears manually using the tower arm on the box?