Can't get first gear

[Carl62]

I have a 1.9 petrol 4 speed and am having trouble getting first gear
gear box had new oil and I have used white grease but it is still a pig to get first any advice welcome

Carl

[Mocki]

go into 2nd before you try to go into 1st.... its a vw thing!

[Carl62]

Thanks, tried that still won't go in?

[Rozzo]

at the gearbox end, check how much play there is in the tubular bit that slides on the guide pin,, if theres a lot fit a new nylon guide bush and it will work ok only a few quid to buy and very easy to fit.

[Carl62]

I had a problem with the gears when I bought the van a few weeks ago
I could not change gear at all I checked and found that the gear selector cup had shattered so have replaced that which sorted all the gears apart from first which only goes in now and again and thats not often
going to second first does not help either
I now don't know what to look at next

Carl

[kit]

In the Haynes manual there is a description of how to reset the linkage,I seem to remember it takes 2 people to do but it sorted mine.

[HarryMann]

Carl,

I take it you have read the club Wiki on difficult gearchanging and not found an answer there?

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... _improving

[lhd]

Pull out the spare wheel remove the linkage casing and check that the 10mm nut has not come loose, that's what happened to mine a couple of months back and I lossed first and reverse.

[HarryMann]

I could not change gear at all I checked and found that the gear selecter cup had shattered so have replaced that which sorted all the gears apart from first which only goes in now and again and thats not often

So while replacing the cup/socket, did you renew the rear nylon bush in the gearbox attachment plate? Nearly always worn, nearly always needing cleaning and lubing, often allows enough slop to cause problems.

Ditto, did the new cup/socket fit really tight and now has no rock on the selector shaft? Or was it a 2nd hand cup/scoket?