1999 1.8 Manual Transmission won't shift

[musicman]

This car has been sitting for a few months as I've been doing work here and there to it. After I put in a new brake master cylinder and got my brakes a little better. I went to take a test drive and now the car won't shift into any gears, seems to be stuck in 3rd or fourth.( I can move the shifter and clutch in no problem) No reverse either. Why all of the sudden would this happen? Car does have 166,000 miles on it, however I've never had a problem with the manual at all, always shifted smooth as silk.

Thank you, Andy

PS it's been suggested there's a brake in my shifter linkage and it's a common problem for 98 and 99's. Would someone please be specific as to where exactly the problem lies and how to remedy it. I do have a Bentley manual. I'm assuming I need to jack the car up and attack it from underneath, and will need to move the exhaust down. Hoping there's a better way. Thank you

[Smileybug]

I think its called the shift carrier? If you pop the hood and look around on the transmission side, you should be able to see it. I know when mine broke, it was obvious. No need to go from underneath as you can access that part from the top.

[DZLBUG]

Its a crappy plastic part that is a common failure point. It moves the selector shaft (up and down) between the R, 1-2, 3-4, 5 gates. Because 3-4 are in the middle of the travel of the selector shaft, those are the gears you end up with when it fails. Fairly easy to replace, on top of the transmission. You should only have to remove the airbox to access it.

Home Page > Search > 1J0711256 > ES#7556 Shifter Linkage - 1J0711256

[Opelmania]

I would almost guarantee it is the shift carrier. See this post Only Have 3rd& 4th on 5 Speed to see my run in with it. VW dealer will have it in stock for under $50 and you should be able to replace it in a couple of hours tops if you're handy. There is a DIY on here just search it.