Stuck in reverse...

[Waspy]

Okay, so set of for work this morning, went into reverse okay, but wouldn't come out, no matter how hard I tried... Took the gater off for a quick look (was in a hurry) and the bit that stops it slipping into reverse instead of first is broken. Not sure how relevant that is though, as it wouldn't come out even when pushing down etc.

So, has anyone had this before, anyone fixed it before? Is it a new gearbox situation?

I didn't feel it was safe to reverse all the way to work  also did a quick search which wasn't very fruitful unfortunately.

[Craigwilson]

It means bad news, this happen to me as a result of no gearbox oil, it was stuck in reverse and the only way I could get it out was levering it out with a bar under the engine bay it still drives ok in forward gears and it will get you to where your going just don't park anywhere where you need to reverse out lol. Mine eventually just wouldn't go into reverse shortly before my gears started to crumble one at a time.

[Waspy]

A new box then?

oh yay.

[Gambit]

Try and free it using selector on top of gearbox before assuming the worst

[Waspy]

Try and free it using selector on top of gearbox before assuming the worst

Yeah, I did, stuck fast.
The shifter is in neutral now, but the car is still in reverse ...

So I guess I might as well ask in this thread rather than starting a new one. What's the best option in everyone's opinion? Get it refurbished ? Get a reasonable second hand one? Put a better one in (than the standard one)?

Thanks guys

[Craigwilson]

You could do what I done and put a different box in with a longer 5th gear for lower revs.

[Waspy]

You could do what I done and put a different box in with a longer 5th gear for lower revs.

That's an option, which box did you put in?

I'm thinking refurb is the best option atm, but it really depends how expensive other options are and the benefits they pose

[Gambit]

What car is it to begin with? 8v or 16v?

Did you try rocking the car while trying to release the selector?

Im guessing the car still rolls with clutch in?

[jamiefin]

I had my old golf stuck in second I feared the worst all it was, was broken a gear linkage took my mechanic all of 5 mins to repair so might not be as bad as you think

[Waspy]

Gambit - it is a 8v, and yeah I tried rocking it, didn't do anything, and yes, still rolls with clutch in.

Jamiefin - I will get it checked before I have any major work done, just trying to be ready for the worst.