Lost reverse

[Ant]

Hi guys,

Well just brought my first golf, a Mk2 GTi 16v. Very nice.

Having a spot of bother though, After getting the car home, next time I went to drive it I couldn't get reverse to engage.

Am aware that while driving it home, got into reverse instead of first, could this have caused my problem?

Have tried asking previous owner but no help, yet.

Thanx in advance.

[richandhazel]

There is no synchromesh on reverse so sometimes if the cogs are incorrectly aligned difficulty can be experienced in engaging reverse. Try pushing the gearstick in the reverse direction whilst slowly releasing the clutch. You may then find it will pop straight into gear as you release the clutch.

[Ant]

Did try that, but no luck.

Having had a look around have got some more info...

The gear stick would select reverse without being pushed down, which was why I got reverse instead of first at the roundabout.

The gear knobs been replaced, don't know if this would cause any probs.

Sometimes first won't select, at all (it goes in the channel but won't engage) the only solution there is to release the clutch and try again.

Had a look at the levers, while the girlfriend did some selection. Does reverse take the same push lever pattern as first?

I suspect the selection system, but don't know if I have enough know how to identify and solve it but will be giving it a go with the help of Haynes.

Any suggestions will be appreciated as the girlfriends giving me grief about buying a car which 'don't work'.

[richandhazel]

Your gear linkage adjustment is out. Fairly straightforward to rectify.
Nothing to do with replacing your gearknob.
Haynes manual will help. This is useful (although its Mk1 its very similar) too:-

http://www.geocities.com/jonnyguru/vw/shifter.html

[Ant]

Ok, that looks easy, gonna give it a go tomorrow.

Just hope I don't mess it up, I'm not well mechanically trained, but am willing to learn.

As I'm going to work on the car (unexpectedley) I'.ve got some more stuff I'm not sure of, but I'll start another thread for that.

Thanx for you help.

[Ant]

Well, had a look at it, the bush on the shift rod's totally shot, and apparently the bottom stuff of the gear lever needs replacing.

Well beyond my limited abilities (for the moment), so found me a recommended vw specialist.

[golfvr6]

There is no synchromesh on reverse

Yep, thats why the bloody thing always crunches (always select 1st then reverse)!  

[modulater]

Sometimes the little plastic ball on the bottom of the lever wears out and lets the gearlever drop lower than the reverse stop so you get reverse by mistake.

Repairs kit for it are only about a ?10 but you need to drop  the exhaust to fit it.