Cant change gear!! Help!

[Jay38]

Hi Gents,

Today I have a real issue with my Mk3 Golf GTI.
I previously had some issues getting into 1st gear, but today it has given up the ghost!!
I cannot get in or out of gear without great difficulties!!
It will occasionally engage but when it does it will not dis-engage!
Can anyone advise? Is it something fixable or?
My friends have suggested many reasons gearbox oil, rods, syncro etc......
Anyone any thoughts.....?

BR

Jason

[Adam]

Gear selector rod? does it go into gear when the engine isn't running?

8v or 16v?

[MrClifford]

mayb the syncro?try revving a tad like you would if you rev match. had a problem in my old golf with disengaging to a lower gear and rev matchin sorted it out

[Jay38]

To answer your question its 8v and it doesnt make a difference whether the engine is running or not..........

[rubjonny]

have a look at the linkages, theres an faq in the mk2 section its pretty much the same in a mk3.
try selecting gears from the leaver sticking out of the gearbox, if it goes in ok then its not the box

[Josho]

As rubjonny says, check the linkages. My dad has the same issue on his van.