MK2 16v, no 5th gear...

[Philpy]

I have recently bought a MK2 Gti 16 on a E reg. Basically one major fault is its got no 5th..... Its although its not even there, like someone has fitted a 4 speeder? But I'm assured this isnt the case? I have done a search and some people have mentioned plastic bits on the linkage? I'm new to VW's so may need more detailed advice than others?

Thanks for any advice!

[mk2_singh]

tell you a funny story i had a nova 1.4SR and the guy i bought it off told me it was a 4speed gearbox fitted as it has closer ratios for quick pick up. But one day whilst dragging its rusty ass along the motorway i got frusrated and yanked it into 5th gear position and there it was LOL 

the guy obsvly didnt no and just told me some sh!t to sell the car. Give it a good yankering maybe its just really really sticky, because someone might have just drove it around town and not used 5th at all.

[takethefifth]

Most of the info you need should be in RubJohnnys thread about sorting out your gearshift. Its in the maintentance section of this mk2 forum about 3rd from the top.

I tried to link to it but the link sent me somewhere completely different! Who knows.... 

[bulk66]

Sorry to jack the thread TT5th  ive sent you a pm mate.....

[rubjonny]

theres no way in a million earth years that a MK2 16v has a 4 speed gearbox.  It just isn't physically possible

I'll tell you what the problem will be, either the small plastic linkage has a crack in it, or the linkage is not correctly adjusted.  Take the short linkage off and have a good look!

[gti jim]

another 5th gear story..

a local mechanic "dodgy dave" had sombody drop off their shogun to him complaining about not being able to select 5th gear.  2 days and a few hundred quid later, dave sorted it all out.  he told the owner that he had sourced a new gearbox but in the limited time available he could only get his hands on a 4 speed box.  happy customer a few months later went to the mitsi stealership to get some other part.  "what vehicle have you got?"  "shogun, diesel, 4 speed.."  the guy on parts obviously was baffled as mitsi didn't make a 4 speed box for the shogun so they go out to look at it and the owner of the shogun is adamant that it's a 4 speed box pointing to the gear knob (reverse, 1, 2, 3 and 4).  bump down to earth when the guy points out that it's the orginal gearbox (with all 5 gears), linkage, selector and even gaitor and that the gear knob had come of some other car.  now that has to be the most expensive gear knob going out there!!     

[takethefifth]

  Hahahahaha!!

Good one Dodgy Dave!! That could be on one of those "how does he sleep at night?" adverts!!

[Gambit]

the 5th gear link will be broke. costs about £1 from GSF to replace

get somebody to move the gearstick over to 5th while u look at the linkage on the box.. all will become crystal clear

[Neaty]

another 5th gear story..

a local mechanic "dodgy dave" had sombody drop off their shogun to him complaining about not being able to select 5th gear.  2 days and a few hundred quid later, dave sorted it all out.  he told the owner that he had sourced a new gearbox but in the limited time available he could only get his hands on a 4 speed box.  happy customer a few months later went to the mitsi stealership to get some other part.  "what vehicle have you got?"  "shogun, diesel, 4 speed.."  the guy on parts obviously was baffled as mitsi didn't make a 4 speed box for the shogun so they go out to look at it and the owner of the shogun is adamant that it's a 4 speed box pointing to the gear knob (reverse, 1, 2, 3 and 4).  bump down to earth when the guy points out that it's the orginal gearbox (with all 5 gears), linkage, selector and even gaitor and that the gear knob had come of some other car.  now that has to be the most expensive gear knob going out there!!  :laugh:   

thats brilliant!!

[Philpy]

Thanks for your advice everyone, I'll check the above before condemming the gear box