We have a 2001 1.8T Jetta Wolfsburg edition. 2 years ago we had the clutch, pressure plate and fly wheel replaced at 27K miles. Since then shifting gears was a little harder. In April, one day we could not shift gears at all and had the car towed to a mechanic. The mechanic drove the car next day and did not find any problem. The gear problem was gone the next day (Miracle!) . Since last Thursday it has became very difficult to shift to reverse and the first gears. Now it has only 45K miles and we are extremely upset about this car[:@]. We showed the car to a mechanic who is not very experienced with VWs yesterday. He could not identify the problem. Currently, it is hard to shift to the first gear when the engine is running but the car is not moving. When the car is moving (especially to down hill) it shifts easier. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears are generally better (still not perfect). After doing some research I started suspecting about shift linkage. I am not a mechanic so I cannot link the clues here. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

does it make/can you feel a grinding when trying to put it into first or reverse?after you got the new clutch was it harder to actually shift or was the pedal firmer? i would say clutch is gone or improperly adjusted linkage. could also be synchros in the transmission

 

After shifting became harder last Thursday when I tried to put it to the reverse it made a grinding noise. After that I tried other gears and moved the car a little it stopped doing it but car still shakes when I put it to reverse. It got a little better later on. The clutch pedal is normal. I feel high friction on the gear-shift when I put into gears especially to the first and reverse. It feels like I am pushing something that initially doesn't fit into its socket and then it passes through. Sometimes when car is moving slowly first gear works fine. When the car is stopping on an uphill while engine is running it is much harder to put into first or reverse. Thanks for your help.

 

I would take the car to someone very familiar with VW's and have him check your shifter & linkage...You have a brand new clutch, and unless you or your spouse are trashing it, it should be fine - since you just replaced in April.... I have two older Jettas and the shifters in these things are notorious for getting sloppy, and wearing out the shift linkages.... I would check these out first >> >easier to get to, look at, and replace,as well as cheaper... .then look at the clutch assy.... Good luck... BC

 

Took the car to VW dealer. They bled the hydraulic and checked the shifter linkage but could not find the problem. They are asking 740$ to diagnose the transmission. The car still has power train warranty. They say if the problem is not with the tranny they will ask another 420$ to close the tranny. Should I accept it? PLEASE HELPPPPP!!!![&:][&o]

 

Whoa .. That's alot of money.. That's lik a brand new clutch + Installtion right there