Cannot engage gears whilst car on.

[DIDZ]

*Moved post from 1.8T Forum

Hi Guys,

Hope I can get some sort of diagnosis here.

Last night was driving a friend to pick up an item. No booting it, just cruising along. When I arrived I stopped, turned the car off and went with her. Just before I turned the car off I was on a bit of rough, bumpy and sloped road.

Got back into the car, started it, and couldn't get into first (or ANY other gear). I physically couldn't move the gear stick. When the car was off, I was able to move the stick into it's gears. Tried again when car was on and... nothing. Had to tow the car home.

Would it be the linkage just went loose, lost a nut or something like that ?

H-E-L-P.

[DIDZ]

Update:

I was able to on Saturday have someone check whilst I was changing gears whilst the car was off. The linkage does not seem to be the problem as it moves into each gear (some with a little difficulty).

Any ideas yet ?

- Linkage - ball socket failure ?
- Master/slave cylinder died ? (if so, how to check ?)
- Thrust bearing stuck ?
- Dead clutch ? (Considering it was driving perfect before I started I am skeptical of this).

[Rheinland Technik]

TEST, place the car into gear and attempt to turn it over with the clutch pushed in [be very prepared to turn the car off]. If the car moves forward with the clutch depressed, the pressure plate has failed.

[DIDZ]

Rheinland Technik

Actually, funny that you mentioned it. I did this before, and car started and moved forward.

Had to do that to get enough room for the tow truck to get the car on the back.

May as well look for a new clutch as well.....

[snowyroads]

Im not too sure if this is relevant but I may have had the same experience.

I work 45 miles away from my house. I decided to balls up and drive my current golf to work one day. Popped out of 5th maybe 15 times on the way there. 15 miles into the journey, i had to shift down to 4th for an on ramp. No go, tried 3rd. nothing. Basically i had to rev and rev grinding gears to get into second. Somehow made it to work. Shut her off, and did my thing.

Leaving work, i was nervous but oh god. Why is my car still not getting into gear?? Why does it kill it self when you try to pull off? Oh god why am i driving around the parking lot in neutral???!!

One of the gears was still engaged. I was able to limp home and wound up having to swap transmissions. There was a hole in my tranny and it was almost empty of fluid.

I would start with a flush and see where it takes you. I'm a pretty big fan of Lucas oil stabilizer but i know a lot of people hate it on here so maybe its not for you. I've felt a noticeable difference in ability to get into gears when i used it.