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Thu Jul 31, 2014 5:36 pm

Hi guys.

So three days ago, I'm driving home from work and I accidentally mishift because I'm trying to eat a burrito and drive. I'm about half way into second when I accidentally let out on the clutch. I feel my shifter almost pop and suddenly I'm stuck in second gear. I can't get it into neutral. The clutch still works so I limp it ten miles home in second. I'm scared that I may have ruined one of my syncros or something. Anyone ever have anything happen like this? I checked underneath my shifter. Not out of place. Checked the shift coupler under the back seat. Everything's good. Anyone have any ideas? I'm praying to god that I don't have to rebuild my transmission because I've never done it. If you guys could give me some advice, that'd be awesome. Thanks!

Thu Jul 31, 2014 7:23 pm

Yes I have some advice for you :!:
Don't ever eat a burrito while driving :roll:

Tell me that you have a repair manual for your car.

It has been done numerous times and yes you can try this procedure if
you think you can handle it otherwise you need to take it to a vw
shop and let them give it a go.

You would need to put the rear on jack stands and Chock the front tires
so you don't get killed doing this.

Pull the filler plug out on the side of the trans and with a good flashlight find
the 1/2 slider inside and forward of the fill plug opening.

the last time I did this I used a VERY Heavy gauge wire similar to a coat hanger.

You have to pull the slider REARWARD to get it back to neutral.
this can and will be frustrating to do.

and, in the future this trans will need to come apart since I believe the fork is worn out .

Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:12 pm

Welp, here goes.

Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:13 am

Did this fix the issue? I haven't had this problem before but I always love learning little tricks like this.

Fri Aug 01, 2014 4:30 am

Please put a piece of wood or plate under those stands on that asphalt. I just finished filling out an accident report for a car that fell off the stands. One went in the asphalt & the car tipped over, No serious injury.

Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:27 pm

Yes, Mooom! :wink: Threw some wood under them. Appreciate you looking out for my well being, eyetzr!

So, I've been poking around a little last night and for about two hours this morning, and I'm not sure that I'm able to see this slider. This is my view from the side filler hole on the driver's side.

Now, everything that I can see in the picture sort of jiggles back and forth a little bit. In your explanation, you said that the slider is towards the front of the car from the hole, correct? I can't really get to an angle where I can see further into the transmission. Is it pretty far in there? Will I be sort of feeling around blindly in there trying to hook it? Sorry guys... I'm a newbie to the world of transaxles...

Fri Aug 01, 2014 7:28 pm

You are close :) This is why I asked if you have a repair manual?
and NO you did NOT reply about it.

In your picture the part in the center with the teeth is the slider for
1st and 2nd .

Do you have a helper available to sit in the car WITHOUT IT FALLING
ON YOU.

if someone can move the shifter GENTLY back and forth while you pry
the slider towards the front as it looks like it is in 1st gear.

Sat Aug 02, 2014 7:55 am

Sorry! I spaced the manual question... :( I've got the Idiot's Guide and a 'Clymer' type 3 manual that I've been trying to find.

I've got my younger brother who can sit in there and move the shifter back and forth for me. I'll give it a shot tonight when I get off of work.

Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:20 pm

Went out and tried it for about an hour tonight. Wouldn't budge. Should I really be horsing on it?

Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:57 pm

Yeah....since you are young and dumb I'll cut you slack and tell you to
forget about trying this repair :lol: Besides working on it at night is a pain
laying on the ground.

take it to a shop in Reno I know there is an air cooled shop there just don't know the name.

In the future you should keep your repair manual where you can read up
on all types of repairs.

The idiot guide is good bathroom reading material too!

Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:46 am

Well hey, thanks anyways! I'll do some more prodding around in my own. I'd rather put a new transmission in it before I take it to a shop. It'd be like handing over my man card! :wink:

Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:10 am

You would probably break your prying tool before the case hardened gears break, but you can disassemble it and replace your shifting fork and synchros for a Man Card cheaper! 8)

Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:58 pm

Well, I messed with it for about two hours tonight after work. Mike, thanks for the tip. I was scared to death I was going to wreck a gear or something. Wound up going after it with my tire iron of all things. When hope was just about lost, 'CLINK.' Slid right over and was good to go! Changed the fluid, and took it on a test drive, and it worked just fine. My man card is safe for now! Take THAT VW repair shop!

...Man, I sure could go for a burrito... 8)

Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:36 pm

Calvatron wrote: Well, I messed with it for about two hours tonight after work. Mike, thanks for the tip. I was scared to death I was going to wreck a gear or something. Wound up going after it with my tire iron of all things. When hope was just about lost, 'CLINK.' Slid right over and was good to go! Changed the fluid, and took it on a test drive, and it worked just fine. My man card is safe for now! Take THAT VW repair shop!

...Man, I sure could go for a burrito... 8)

If I were you I'd send old DKP some cash to buy himself a pack of man sodas. Sounds like he saved you some $$$

Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:41 pm

very odd way for a gearbox to stuff up?

Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:52 pm

WOW!
:shock: :shock:

Hats off to Chris for pulling the old factory trained tech trick out of the hat!!!

This is why we come here, people; where else can you gain wisdom like that???

Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:46 pm

Glad this worked out Calvatron :wink:

and.......Steve ! thanks' for the slap on the back :lol:

Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:16 pm

This thread is awesome, glad it worked out for you.

Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:27 am

Calvatron wrote: Welp, here goes.

I know that beautiful fastback, I see it at Home Depot alot! sorry you had transmission problems but im glad she's back on the road.

Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:36 am

[quote="VWporscheGT3"] Calvatron wrote:
I know that beautiful fastback, I see it at Home Depot alot! sorry you had transmission problems but im glad she's back on the road.

Woah, small world! I work there! Ask for Calvin!