Urgent ? missing gears

[Mk2Stocker]

My 1991 16v Mk2 has just managed to lose fifth gear on the way to work this morning. Seemed fine when engine was cold but as temperature hit normal operating temp fifth vanished? It's never done this before.
Only way I could engage fifth was by dipping the gear lever down halfway as if trying for reverse!!

Any ideas anyone?

Any help much appreciated

[davidhawkins_78]

Sounds like you need to have a look at your gear selector linkages - if with a bit of trouble you could engage 5th and there were no dodgy noises from the drive train I'd say the box is ok ... what do u reckon fella's ??

 

[Mk2Stocker]

There were no awful noises when fifth finally engaged on the move. And when the car was stopped in the car park at work all five cogs went in fine! Will pop out at lunch in it to see if it does it again.

It's along way home in fourth!!!

Thanks very much for any help.


Mk2stocker

[Gambit]

your linkage needs adjusted

you either need the special VW tool to hold the gearstick in place, or a 2nd pair of hands to hold it while you adjust the clip at the end of the rod, just after the relay shaft

[knobby]

Before  u do n e thing.. open up ya bonnet and look above the gear box.. there are two plastic Linkage rods. Because of the age of the car the plastic goes brittle. One of these rods moves something in the box with allows u to select 5th.. If its like 5th was never there.. like u cant even select it with the lever id say it was this. Look below at mine that went.. it might be slightly different to yours as yours is a newer car.



Let us know how u get on.. Dave

[rubjonny]

I second checking the small link part, mine cracked and I lost 5th.

If you are lucky you might be able to adjust the linkage inside the car, take the gear gaitor off the centre console and have a look, later spec models have an adjuster here.  If not you'll have to go in the engine bay with a couple of spanners, a b!tch of a job though!

[Mk2Stocker]

Thanks to everyone who has helped out. It's absolutely lashing down outside at the mo, so I'll try and get it into the garage at home tonight before I get under the bonnet. At least it's dry in there!!

So if you see a black Mk2 limping home tonight in the Peterborough area it might well be me!!

Cheers and will update on what I find out asap.

Mk2stocker

[jon_hgv]

my car did the same as yours today, 5th gear went so i went to german and swedish and got that plastic long ball cap it was 50p put it on and gears are all ok again.

[Helios_Blue_Valver]

Must be the week for this. Mine did the same thing. I replaced the plastic selector bit and it is good as gold. Uusally you can tell if this is the problem if you lose reverse aswell.