Mk3 16v gear selection problem. HELP'

[NEILS-GTI-MK3]

My old man has a golf 16v with the cable change gearbox, you know the one. same as VR6 i think.
well since the weekend he told me he's finding it hard to get into first, and it seems to go into 3rd gear instead.  this is only when the car is not moving, and tring to get 1st. he aslo said it feels abit sloppy.
is there a common problem with this? or is it something in the gearbox.?
  I think it might be the cables need adjusting, but not sure, as I don't know much about the cable type. this is the 02a type box i think,
  Any help on this would be great

[adyh]

Sounds like it just needs adjusting to me.

Haynes say this should only be done at a dealer for an 02a gear box .

"To accurately adjust the operation of the gear selector and shift cables, precisely machined jigs are required to set the gear change lever in a reference position. It is recommended, therefore that this operation be entrusted to a VAG dealer."
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