Was driving manaul transmission 03 vw golf. When I went to shift from 4th to 5th the gear didn’t engage and after wouldn’t engage

Was driving manaul transmission 03 vw golf. When I went to shift from 4th to 5th the gear didn't engage and after wouldn't engage any other gear. Now stick is loos and won't shift into any gear.

My car has 160000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
When a manual transmission will not engage gears, there a re a few reasons that are possible causes. I’ve owned a few VW’s in my time. The shifter in your Golf is cable-operated. A cable connects the base of the shifter lever to the shifter linkage on the transmission. The linkage or even the cable itself may have broken. That could explain the "looseness" in the shifter lever. You should be able to see the shifter linkage under the hood. Look on the back side of the transmission below the brake master cylinder. Grab a friend. Have one of you observe the linkage while the other moves the shifter lever. If no movement is observed, then it is most likely the shifter cable and/or mechanism. If the linkage is moving, then it could possibly be a clutch failure or failure of the internal shift linkage inside the transmission. I’d be more inclined to think the shifter is at fault however. Have a certified technician look into the shifter feeling loose to find and replace the exact cause.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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Lack of response. You might notice that, while driving, your car hesitates or refuses to go into gear. This is a clear-cut sign of a problem with your transmission. This problem is usually caused by a bad clutch that needs to be replaced, but it may also be caused by a more severe problem.
With the Golf, Beetle, and Jetta models available with a manual transmission in 2021, Volkswagen continues to produce high-quality manual cars.
Faulty shifter cable – If your shifter cable is damaged or worn it can cause issues trying to get into gear. Failing transmission – Internal failures inside the transmission such as valves or torque convertor issues could also stop the transmission from shifting properly.
That can be caused by a problem with the clutch pedal linkage or hydraulics. Furthermore, if the clutch disc is allowing the transmission to slip, you may not get any power even if the transmission appears to be in gear. The clutch disc is a wearable component that may need regular replacement on your vehicle.
The main reason the car won`t go into gear is that the level of transmission fluid in the vehicle is lower than required. If the level is low despite regular maintenance, there may be a leak. Transmission fluid, therefore, is important to ensure that the car`s moving parts are properly lubricated for functioning.

Keeping your car in gear when you`re stopped can damage your transmission. It`s easy to want to just keep the car in gear when you stop for ease of starting. However, it is much better for your transmission if you shift to neutral when you stop so that you are not keeping your clutch engaged.

Here are some of the main signs your clutch is starting to fail. When you press the clutch pedal, it`s spongy, sticking, vibrating or loose. There`s a squeaking or grumbling noise when the clutch pedal is pressed. You`re able to rev the engine but notice that it`s difficult to accelerate.
A manual transmission can last up to 120,000 miles. Aggressive driving and inattentive fluid changes can negatively impact its longevity.
The VW Golf`s reliability rating comes in higher than the Golf GTI ranking. Golf ranks 4.0 out of a total of 5 points – which makes it above average on the reliability scale. Golfs rank 24th out of the 36 compact cars reported.
Just as you learned what happens with low transmission fluid, dirty fluid, or a clogged filter can cause similar transmission troubles and create a car that won`t back up in reverse. Improper lubrication from old fluid or debris in contaminated fluid will affect how the transmission shifts into reverse or other gear.
The brake light switch is the main culprit for your gearshift being stuck in the mode. It`s a small sensor located on the brake pedal that prevents the car from starting if the brake pedal isn`t depressed.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Was driving manaul transmission 03 vw golf. When I went to shift from 4th to 5th the gear didn’t engage and after wouldn’t engage
ANSWER : Hello. If the vehicle is still moving when in gear and the clutch pedal released then you may have a broken shift fork or a much more serious internal transmission failure. Typically I will check the shift linkage first to see if it is movable. If not then the transmission will need to be taken apart to repair it. You should have a transmission specialist take a look at it.

Was driving manaul transmission 03 vw golf. When I went to shift from 4th to 5th the gear didn’t engage and after wouldn’t engage
ANSWER : When a manual transmission will not engage gears, there a re a few reasons that are possible causes. I’ve owned a few VW’s in my time. The shifter in your Golf is cable-operated. A cable connects the base of the shifter lever to the shifter linkage on the transmission. The linkage or even the cable itself may have broken. That could explain the "looseness" in the shifter lever. You should be able to see the shifter linkage under the hood. Look on the back side of the transmission below the brake master cylinder. Grab a friend. Have one of you observe the linkage while the other moves the shifter lever. If no movement is observed, then it is most likely the shifter cable and/or mechanism. If the linkage is moving, then it could possibly be a clutch failure or failure of the internal shift linkage inside the transmission. I’d be more inclined to think the shifter is at fault however. Have a certified technician look into the shifter feeling loose to find and replace the exact cause.

neon manual 5 speed drives great but will not shift into 4th gear while driving. All other gears work fine 4th works when off
ANSWER : Hi there. Most of the time when a manual transmission is hard to shift into an individual gear, it’s caused by the linkage being ’twisted’ or not aligned correctly. However, it is also possible that internal damage has occurred inside your transmission that is causing this problem. In most cases, a clutch issue would cause shifting issues on all gears. Before you spend money on repairs, it’s probably a better idea to have a professional mechanic complete a car is hard to shift inspection, so they can isolate the source of this problem and provide you with the correct repair advice.

Won’t shift past 2nd gear . It drives normal to 2nd gear but wont shift into 3r – 2000 Ford F150 4×4
ANSWER : Hello – I don’t think this is related to switching back to 2WD per se. There is a shift position sensor on the side of the transmission, and it’s possible that the snow activity caused moisture and/or dirt to get into the sensor. I would recommend a transmission inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

My car gear does not engage to drive position.
ANSWER : Hi there:

Sometimes this issue is caused by a faulty shift solenoid attached to the transmission; while in other instances, it can be caused by low transmission fluid or other damage inside the transmission. The best thing to do is have a professional mechanic complete a car is hard to shift inspection, so they can determine what is causing this problem and recommend the right repairs.

My manual car won’t go into gear, it turns on and the clutch goes down perfectly fine. It happened after my gears grinded, the car
ANSWER : If the clutch mechanism is releasing properly, and the shift linkage is not malfunctioning, your transmission will have to be removed from the vehicle and inspected. Once a transmission has been removed from a vehicle, if the problem is a broken or worn part or parts, and the transmission has 100,000 miles or more, the most cost effective approach is to just simply rebuild the whole transmission. There are transmission rebuild kits that are sold just for this purpose. Rebuilding a transmission is no big deal and is indeed easier in many respects than rebuilding an engine. You can rebuild your transmission right in your own garage. You can NOT rebuild an engine in your own garage due to the highly specialized, and extremely costly, machine shop equipment required. Occasionally, mobile mechanics will take on a transmission rebuild job especially as once the mechanic removes the transmission from the vehicle, it is just simply a modular unit that can be easily transported to a mechanic’s shop and rebuilt right there and then returned to your vehicle. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Especially when cold, I notice shifts in low gears on my transmission
ANSWER : Hello. If servicing the fluid and filter did not help, then it may be possible that the transmission is worn. If any of the clutch packs that the transmission uses to shift wear out, they may slip and cause harsher shifting than normal. If the problem only occurs when the transmission is cold, then it may be possible that the clutch discs are worn, but can properly grip when the transmission and fluid reach operating temperature. I would recommend double checking the fluid for any signs of damage or wear, any unusual smells or color. If the fluid checks out. If you need help having this looked at, I would then move on to having the shifting issue diagnosed to see if the transmission may be faulty.

What’s wrong with my manual Jeep if I’m driving at 5th gear but it sounds like I’m driving at 3rd or 4th?
ANSWER : Since the car is still new, the vehicle should be taken back to the dealer to be checked under warranty. You may need a repair or replacement of the engine assembly. The engine may have an imbalance causing the problem. There is a technical bulletin that may pertain to this vehicle and call for engine replacement. The TSB is 09-008-16 and is dated June 16, 2016.