difficult to engage first

[fr150bhp]

i got a 1995 n'reg golf gti 8v (yes it is not as quick as my seat leon fr 150 tdi) but i still love it!!!
the problem is i cant get first gear,to engaged first,i got to push down on the gearstick,as if i am going to engage reverse,please help what is the problem,with my car?

[mystic valver]

sounds like the gear box linkage might be on its way out, had a similar problem with my 16v then it went completely and could't get any gears

easy to change though and around £25 quid from the scrap yard

[snifferdog]

ive seen it written on here before that if you put it into second then into first you wont have any problems,dont know why but it seems to work on mine when i have the occasional problem with first.

[beccasmk3gti]

i have same on my vr6 put it down to high milage but if i wiggle it slighlty while pulling up to the junction it goes in smooth as anything but if i pull up at junction then try to put it in 1st it wont go i have to force it in

[mystic valver]

the 2 above posts are the same as my problem was

but now no problem at all for me car drives so much better now, as i thought it was just first i was struggling with but after changing the linkage all the gears are so much smoother now

the problems you guys are getting with first is because the gear selector is attached to a rubber block and round that is a metal clasp that wears away so when you are changing gear the selector has not gone back to where it should of due to excessive wear

the only other problem really is the adjustment which again is fairly simpleon the other cable going to the gear box it is attached to a bolt on a slide, make sure the adjustment is somewhere in the middle, as thats where both of mine were, bang in the middle, so like i said now i have no problems at all

if you need help changing the linkage just ask as there are lots of people on here who will give aid as its a common problem with the mk3

[Dec]

Sorry to drag this up, but its hard for me to find 5th in my car (more bloody problems!) and sometimes Ive put it in 3rd by accident. Is it hard to change the Gear linkage and is it in the Haynes manual?

[boneybradley]

a difficult 5th isn't a good sign normally! but change the oil to synthetic first and then look at alignment (use rub jonnys guide in mk2 maintenece as there similar)

[Dec]

Balls

Ive got a cable shift not rod though as its a 16v so wouldnt that be different to a mk2?

[boneybradley]

yeah the 16v is a different set up.... could be worth a pm to rubjonny to ask for setting up help (and if the parts are different) but the oil is still worth it first

[Dec]

yeah the 16v is a different set up.... could be worth a pm to rubjonny to ask for setting up help (and if the parts are different) but the oil is still worth it first

Ok cheers mate. I take it gearbox oil is different to engine oil? Or do I still use 10/40 semi synthetic?

Cheers!