Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

Hi, silly question, but one nobody seems to know the answer to:

I have a golf Synchro from 1998. It has a lever, or rather a "handle" in the engine compartment that I don't know the function of!?
It is a rather large black handle that can be turned 90 degrees. I hear a thump somewhere towards the back, but I would expect it to have some function rather than just making a noise :)
It is down here in Portugal with me for the moment and when I asked the staff at the local service garage the mumbled something in Portuguese. The manual leaves me with no clues.

Please help!

If you know a link to a service manual for this car, please let me know.

Cheers,

Fred

RE: Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

My 2000 Golf has the same handle except it is naked aluminum. I could turn it like you said and I could see it is attatched to a cable. Could this be something to do with the clutch? The manual I have doesn't say anything about it. It would be cool to have someone who knows explain its function.

Any Takers?

Ernie

RE: Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

How great! I am not alone! (would be weird if VW made a one off car just to confuse me... :)
Also, if we get any kind person to explain what that lever does, I would be extra happy to know what it does when pointed in each of the two directions.
Ernie, is your Golf a Synchro? Since mine has 4wd - Haldex, so only 4wd when one wheel loses traction - I thought it had something to do with that?

Thankful for more replies!

Cheers,

Fred

RE: Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

Must be a European or Canadian thing cause Synchro is not mentioned in the states. Synchro is all wheel drive in the states, and I have no idea what that lever would be for....maybe turning off the all wheel drive??

RE: Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

This is a European Golf. Initially sold in Italy, re-sold to me in France and now rolling in Portugal (with a Swedish driver :)
The fact that the lever would disengage the 4-wheel drive was my first thought, but from what "erndogy" says above, he has the same lever, but he/she doesn't say that the car is a "synchro" or similar. "Synchro" just means Haldex clutch. or "all wheel drive when needed". Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldex
I doubt that you can disconnect it, and if the lever would do this, it would probably be marked in one way or the other. I appreciate you input, but I thin the search goes on!

Thanks!

RE: Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

is it the lever above the circle on this pic??
that is a counter weight on the shift linkage Thanks Ncanler for the pic i stoll it from a post of his (barrowd)

http://www.ncangler.com/temp/engineshot.jpg

RE: Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

Sorry I didn't reply earlier Fred. My car is not all wheel drive I guess it is not a synchro. The lever I ment is the one in the picture.

Thanks Jrailer

RE: Golf Synchro 1998, what is the lever doing?
 

erndogy, thanks for replying. I am the one being sorry, I should have posted a picture a long time ago. Well, here they are:
http://skitch.com/svinto/k3be/mg-9350-1
location of lever
http://skitch.com/svinto/k3bc/mg-9354
lever in "Up" position
http://skitch.com/svinto/k3bp/mg-9353
Lever 90 degrees left

Note the tube that extends at the bottom of the lever and where it leads towards the back of the car.

I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about where this leads!