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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: fr150bhp on 24 October 2008, 20:38

Title: difficult to engage first
Post by: fr150bhp on 24 October 2008, 20:38
i got a 1995 n'reg golf gti 8v (yes it is not as quick as my seat leon fr 150 tdi) but i still love it!!!
the problem is i cant get first gear,to engaged first,i got to push down on the gearstick,as if i am going to engage reverse,please help what is the problem,with my car?
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: mystic valver on 24 October 2008, 22:14
sounds like the gear box linkage might be on its way out, had a similar problem with my 16v then it went completely and could't get any gears

easy to change though and around £25 quid from the scrap yard
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: snifferdog on 25 October 2008, 18:48
ive seen it written on here before that if you put it into second then into first you wont have any problems,dont know why but it seems to work on mine when i have the occasional problem with first.
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: beccasmk3gti on 25 October 2008, 19:59
i have same on my vr6 put it down to high milage but if i wiggle it slighlty while pulling up to the junction it goes in smooth as anything but if i pull up at junction then try to put it in 1st it wont go i have to force it in
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: mystic valver on 26 October 2008, 07:49
the 2 above posts are the same as my problem was

but now no problem at all for me car drives so much better now, as i thought it was just first i was struggling with but after changing the linkage all the gears are so much smoother now

the problems you guys are getting with first is because the gear selector is attached to a rubber block and round that is a metal clasp that wears away so when you are changing gear the selector has not gone back to where it should of due to excessive wear

the only other problem really is the adjustment which again is fairly simpleon the other cable going to the gear box it is attached to a bolt on a slide, make sure the adjustment is somewhere in the middle, as thats where both of mine were, bang in the middle, so like i said now i have no problems at all

if you need help changing the linkage just ask as there are lots of people on here who will give aid as its a common problem with the mk3
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: Dec on 16 January 2009, 07:58
Sorry to drag this up, but its hard for me to find 5th in my car (more bloody problems!) and sometimes Ive put it in 3rd by accident. Is it hard to change the Gear linkage and is it in the Haynes manual?
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: boneybradley on 16 January 2009, 10:27
a difficult 5th isn't a good sign normally! but change the oil to synthetic first and then look at alignment (use rub jonnys guide in mk2 maintenece as there similar)
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: Dec on 16 January 2009, 10:29
Balls :shocked: :cry:

Ive got a cable shift not rod though as its a 16v so wouldnt that be different to a mk2?
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: boneybradley on 16 January 2009, 10:41
yeah the 16v is a different set up.... could be worth a pm to rubjonny to ask for setting up help (and if the parts are different) but the oil is still worth it first
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: Dec on 16 January 2009, 10:45
yeah the 16v is a different set up.... could be worth a pm to rubjonny to ask for setting up help (and if the parts are different) but the oil is still worth it first

Ok cheers mate. I take it gearbox oil is different to engine oil? Or do I still use 10/40 semi synthetic?

Cheers!
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: boneybradley on 16 January 2009, 11:01
different altogether...and much more difficult to change! ensure you get synthetic based oil too (i believe 75w/90 is correct? thats what mines got in anyhow  :wink:)
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: Dec on 16 January 2009, 11:02
Argh im getting so annoyed at this car!

Think ill just take it to my local vw/audi specialist and tell them to look at it. such a hassle :angry:
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: boneybradley on 16 January 2009, 11:14
yeah mk3's are built really well......but were built backwords using really random/unique fitments!!

(actually all gearboxes are difficult for oil changes!!)
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: kells on 16 January 2009, 11:28
Sorry to drag this up, but its hard for me to find 5th in my car (more bloody problems!) and sometimes Ive put it in 3rd by accident. Is it hard to change the Gear linkage and is it in the Haynes manual?

think you jus need to get used to the box matey, my gf does this in mine :rolleyes: :grin:
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: boneybradley on 16 January 2009, 11:38
Sorry to drag this up, but its hard for me to find 5th in my car (more bloody problems!) and sometimes Ive put it in 3rd by accident. Is it hard to change the Gear linkage and is it in the Haynes manual?

think you jus need to get used to the box matey, my gf does this in mine :rolleyes: :grin:

the wife changes from 2nd to 5th in mine.........luckily the low down torque stops the valves rattling  :cool: :cool: (hey am i bigging up the 8v again?)
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: Dec on 16 January 2009, 11:46
I hope it is just that I need to get used to it :sad:

This is pretty much what I sent to rubjonny :rolleyes::

Quote
The problem at the moment is that 3rd and 5th gears seem really close together so I accidentally put it into 3rd not 5th a fair bit.

Any Idea what this could be? I thought about the gear linkage but as its the 16V its a cable change. Is there an easy fix or do I need a new gearbox

Also, compared to my mk2, the shifter doesnt go as far left so could it be that it isnt aligned properly?

Sorry my description is a bit vague but if you have any ideas it would be most appreciated! Also if you need any pics taken or any more info Ill do my best

Think I explained the problem a bit better there :undecided: Going to have a play with the gear stick in my lunch I think.
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: Dec on 16 January 2009, 12:40
Too cold to go outside :tongue: Ill look later when I have to go out there!

Quote from: Bryn
If it's roughly the same as my Rado was (99% sure it is) there are slots in the cable ends where they bolt to the gearbox arm. As the cables stretch over time, you can adjust them using these slots. Just position/lock the gear stick, crack off the bolt and adjust with a bit of trial and error.

Thats what my mate said on another forum, hopefully thats all that needs doing :smiley:

Another guy also said this :lipsrsealed:

Quote from: dannymcflylol
lol you're such a worrier :D it'll be easy im sure.

Which is 110% true!



I even looked on autotrader for another 16v so I could just swap my leathers and other bits over :rolleyes: If it goes wrong ill fix it, proberly cheaper than another car anyway!
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: kells on 16 January 2009, 13:17
gears are alot closer together in GTI's than what they are in non GTI's if that makes sense, i remember having my escort runner, it was like havng each gear 3 mile apart from eachother, see iv always had GTI's right from learning to drive..so im used to the close ratios..but i can imagine it taking some getting used to, they are quite close on the golf..
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: Dec on 16 January 2009, 13:39
Ah right, I was thinking about it and my mate who drove it back for me didnt have any problems so thought I had messed it up somehow!

Ill get a couple of my other mates to have a drive and see what they think :smiley:
Title: Re: difficult to engage first
Post by: VR6-Joe on 16 January 2009, 16:16
Dec if you're having problems I'll happily do a straight swap for my Mk3 :grin:

It's been to Wales and back in a day with no problems whatsoever so it's a reliable one :grin: