Jetta GLI Manual Tranny Question/Reverse Problems - Page 2

TimothyCaseTimothy · 02-10-2013, 05:39 PM

It's an Audi/VW mechanic and shop that's done work on my Allroad...

rapidoxidationman · 02-10-2013, 06:12 PM

I would tend to think shift cables too, but just for the hell of it:

Start the car, hold the clutch to the floor and shift between all the gears, including reverse. Keep holding the clutch to the floor and shifting for a minute or two. Is it getting harder to engage each gear? That'll tell you if you've got a leaky slave or master cylinder...

TimothyCaseTimothy · 02-10-2013, 06:16 PM

It doesn't do that for sure...

jdiaz · 02-10-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyCaseTimothy

Maybe a basic mechanical question, but what the heck...

I have a 2002 Jetta GLI 6 speed that I bought from a gent on this forum a few months ago...seems like intermittently the car does not like to shift into reverse, especially on chilly mornings or after the car has been sitting for a while...

I just figured out a workaround of sorts...if I shift into first and give the motor a bit of gas and then shift into reverse while the motor is coming down in RPMs (from like 3-4k) it'll shift into reverse no problem...

My garaged 08 GTI is a little balky into reverse occasionally as well. I put it in 1st gear and rock it forward a couple inches, and then its fine.

A-Bone · 02-11-2013, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anorak

Doe the clutch seem to engage close to the floor? The clutch slave or master cylinder could be failing. Check the fluid level.

+1

Put your foot under the clutch pedal and see if you can move it back toward you... Does it move to a higher point and remain there??

TimothyCaseTimothy · 02-11-2013, 06:45 AM

From what I understand this is a cable clutch...the gods have granted me a co-worker at the firehouse this morning who knows a ton about clutches...stay tuned!

moodfart · 02-11-2013, 06:52 AM

If it's anything like my Jeep tranny, the gear oil could be old and not letting the synchros do what they should. I had nearly the same issue at 68k, I change the oil to high quality stuff (Pennzoil Synchromesh), ran it for 50 miles, then changed it again and the problem stopped. Hasn't returned, I continue to change it every 10,000 or so miles, and I'm at 127k. Might be worth a shot before you bring it in?

2ndSPACE · 02-11-2013, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyCaseTimothy

From what I understand this is a cable clutch...the gods have granted me a co-worker at the firehouse this morning who knows a ton about clutches...stay tuned!

A4 Jetta has a hydraulic clutch. The shift cable adjusters are weak. I would start with adjusting them as previously mentioned.

Commuter Boy · 02-11-2013, 10:03 AM

VW claimed they had "lifetime" manual tranny fluid. They don't. It wears out. It evaporates out. And it sure as heck isn't
"60wt".

Change it. The VW stuff is good, but pricey. Those of us in colder climates sometimes prefer the Redline products so we can get a lighter weight in the winter. I run half and half MTL and MT90 year round. It isn't that much cheaper, especially if you get the VW stuff with a good discount.

I typically swap the fluid every 4 years or so when I do the "lifetime" coolant as well.....

TimothyCaseTimothy · 02-11-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commuter Boy

VW claimed they had "lifetime" manual tranny fluid. They don't. It wears out. It evaporates out. And it sure as heck isn't
"60wt".

Change it. The VW stuff is good, but pricey. Those of us in colder climates sometimes prefer the Redline products so we can get a lighter weight in the winter. I run half and half MTL and MT90 year round. It isn't that much cheaper, especially if you get the VW stuff with a good discount.

I typically swap the fluid every 4 years or so when I do the "lifetime" coolant as well.....

Great to know...thanks!

Dave in Wi · 02-11-2013, 04:52 PM

If the cable adjustment doesn't help, I'll second changing the fluid. One of my previous cars had a terrible time engaging 1st or reverse in the winter. The colder it got outside, the worse it was. I changed to synthetic MTL and it made an incredible difference.

TimothyCaseTimothy · 02-11-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndSPACE

A4 Jetta has a hydraulic clutch. The shift cable adjusters are weak. I would start with adjusting them as previously mentioned.

Are you saying this car has a hydraulic clutch? BTW, it's a 2003, not 2002 (that's my Audi)...

Sorry for being obtuse and thanks for the input...

jdiaz · 02-11-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyCaseTimothy

Are you saying this car has a hydraulic clutch? BTW, it's a 2003, not 2002 (that's my Audi)...

Sorry for being obtuse and thanks for the input...

Clutch operation is hydraulic.

Shift mechanism is via cables.

P B G · 02-11-2013, 05:40 PM

My car does this (not a VW) and just releasing the clutch and depressing the clutch again usually solves it, with rocking as a back up if it did not.

My last golf was a 90's something, and it had a cable to the clutch arm. Snapped the cable and I drove it home in 3rd.

TimothyCaseTimothy · 02-12-2013, 03:34 PM

So...took it to the local VW specialist today...he said the tranny is in good shape, likely doesn't need a new clutch, but thinks that the slave cylinder is on the way out...quoted less than $300 parts and labor...

Appointment next Tuesday....

02-11-2013, 04:52 PM	#26
Dave in Wi Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Location: 40 Square Miles Surrounded By Reality (Madison Wi) Oddometer: 1,462	If the cable adjustment doesn't help, I'll second changing the fluid. One of my previous cars had a terrible time engaging 1st or reverse in the winter. The colder it got outside, the worse it was. I changed to synthetic MTL and it made an incredible difference. __________________ Dave in WI 2002 ZRX1200R 1975 XL100 1988 DT50 "Daddy, it's five o'clock sometime!"

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02-10-2013, 05:39 PM	#16
TimothyCaseTimothy ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 408	It's an Audi/VW mechanic and shop that's done work on my Allroad...

02-10-2013, 06:16 PM	#18
TimothyCaseTimothy ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 408	It doesn't do that for sure...

02-11-2013, 06:45 AM	#21
TimothyCaseTimothy ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 408	From what I understand this is a cable clutch...the gods have granted me a co-worker at the firehouse this morning who knows a ton about clutches...stay tuned!

02-11-2013, 06:52 AM	#22
moodfart Let's get tropical Joined: Apr 2011 Location: CT Oddometer: 739	If it's anything like my Jeep tranny, the gear oil could be old and not letting the synchros do what they should. I had nearly the same issue at 68k, I change the oil to high quality stuff (Pennzoil Synchromesh), ran it for 50 miles, then changed it again and the problem stopped. Hasn't returned, I continue to change it every 10,000 or so miles, and I'm at 127k. Might be worth a shot before you bring it in?

02-11-2013, 10:03 AM	#24
Commuter Boy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Burnaby, BC Oddometer: 2,360	VW claimed they had "lifetime" manual tranny fluid. They don't. It wears out. It evaporates out. And it sure as heck isn't "60wt". Change it. The VW stuff is good, but pricey. Those of us in colder climates sometimes prefer the Redline products so we can get a lighter weight in the winter. I run half and half MTL and MT90 year round. It isn't that much cheaper, especially if you get the VW stuff with a good discount. I typically swap the fluid every 4 years or so when I do the "lifetime" coolant as well.....

02-11-2013, 05:40 PM	#29
P B G Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Greater Chicago Oddometer: 9,781	My car does this (not a VW) and just releasing the clutch and depressing the clutch again usually solves it, with rocking as a back up if it did not. My last golf was a 90's something, and it had a cable to the clutch arm. Snapped the cable and I drove it home in 3rd.

02-12-2013, 03:34 PM	#30
TimothyCaseTimothy ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 408	So...took it to the local VW specialist today...he said the tranny is in good shape, likely doesn't need a new clutch, but thinks that the slave cylinder is on the way out...quoted less than $300 parts and labor... Appointment next Tuesday....