VW MK4, MK5, and MK6 5 speed shifter adjustment for 02J and MQ250 transmissions

[@gregonion8693]

This worked getting 1st back but now ive lost 5th. Any advice?

[@edtzelarturoespinozadoming6928]

Ty so much, you're an amazing help.

[@kylefrank7930]

dieselgeekdotcom can you please email me at [e-mail] I need some Sirius advice plz and thanks I'm having trouble with my shifter and carrier and can't find the correct parts

[@christopherdouglas3038]

Would shift cables needing adjusted cause hard to get into gears?

[@aveirozinou2919]

in my case was a bad bushing and i was wondering how a bad one can make me lost one of the 5th gears, and it does because 1mm play a high role in the adjustement, i made an adjustement in it (the bushing were eated by the metal and in my country i didnt find it ) then the result was absolutly awesome.. good luck

[@steveforbes756]

Yes. The same thing happened to me in Jamaica. Those nylon bushings get brittle from the heat. If one cracks, it could prevent 5th or other gear.

[@StefanSegerer]

Your tip on how to adjust it with a broken pin is worth its weight in gold. You're the only one who's ever shown that. Thanks

[@mattf997]

Just in case anyone is wondering, it's 2023 and this video is just as applicable. Bought a Jetta with a ton of Km onm it, owner said it had been shifting bad for about 5 years. Figured it was more serious. All you have to do (in case it wasnt mentioned here) is disconnect the air box and you should have access to everything you need. After re-adjusting, its a totally different car. Thanks for this awesome how-to video, saved me the hassle of going to the transmission shop!

[@valotovcics6743]

No, no, no... It is 2024 already and I am using this guidance to fix my gearbox 😅

[@Jacob47987]

Same, used today on my Octavia 1​@@valotovcics6743

[@Randaljoness]

I’ve watched it a million times lol

[@DanielFernandez-ht5xi]

@@valotovcics6743did you have to take out the whole assembly?

[@valotovcics6743]

@@DanielFernandez-ht5xi You just need to remove an air filter assembly. As soon as you start doing this you will find out, that it is quite simple. On the gear shifter (inside the car) you need to pull the leather cover up and then you will get an access to 5mm alignment holes. Good luck!

[@burnwash8174]

This is the most helpful video I've ever come across; invaluable information for those that need it. The clear and concise presentation is a rarity and so easy to comprehend. 1,000 pts. awarded!!

[@TheMakersBox]

Apparently my shop didn't know how to do this because it was hard to shift after I got it back from a clutch replacement. This did the trick. Thank you for sharing knowledge!

[@viperdgs01]

90% acurate, very useful. 1. Put the pin into lock position by pushing it and wagering up and down the counter weight piece, that will allow you to push the lock pin all the way in pointing up. 2. Lose the cables as described in the video 3. Lock the shifter as described in the video 4. Make sure the tensioning on both cables it's adequate and lock the cables again 5. Pull the locking pin by wagering the counter weight, this will allow you to pull the pin from locking position. 6. Remove the locking pin in the shifter and try to shift all gears. This should conclude the proper alingment and you should be good to go!

[@MikkoRantalainen]

I failed to notice the difference. How was the video different from these instructions?

[@viperdgs01]

@@MikkoRantalainen then you didn't pay full attention to the video.

[@GeorgeHatcher]

This video saved me untold time and money. I'm selling a 2001 Jetta. A potential buyer took a test drive today and when they came back, the car wouldn't shift into reverse. Meanwhile first and second were where reverse was supposed to be. Even though the cable ends on my car were dry and balky and I'd never done this before, the repair took less than five minutes. Now the car shifts into all five gears and reverse better than it ever has in the five years I've owned it. Thank you so much for posting this video.

[@1stevenyarbrough]

So for about three months, Second gear has been making this strange grinding noise when I shift out of first at high revs. This solved that problem, and made all of the other gears much smoother. Thanks for the vid.

[@octavciortan]

After memorizing the clip, I followed the steps and my car is working LIKE NEW!!! Outstanding tutorial. All that took me 60secs.

[@brayseville8468]

Thank you for making a short easy video to follow. Fix my issue and cured my panic attack

[@22401Justin]

Thank you so much Jim! I can't tell you how much I am appreciative of this video that you have done. This helped me so much and I am extremely grateful of people like you that go through the trouble to help out others that may have questions on how to fix their car. I have a 2001 VW Jetta TDI and just last week the shifter cables came off the shifter. This happened while I was at a car wash and well as bad as this was for it to happen in the first place I was grateful for the fact that it was stuck in first gear so that way I was able to save myself a tow and was able to drive it back home. I had found both of your videos about these issues and really had no idea that this was even a thing that could happen to old cars like this. Gotta tell you I was extremely freaked when this happened but all the same I when I found your videos and was directed to your website for the parts my mind was put at ease knowing that because of you I was able to fix my car. Thank you so much and please keep up the good work in the future. :)

[@gregthompson8056]

I had previously replaced the first gear getter which made finding 5th gear once again possible. it then made it a little bit more difficult to downshift into second, having to hunt it a little bit. once I followed the procedure in this video everything in the gear shift is right up to snuff again. all the gears are there crisply neatly and where they are supposed to be. hard to believe it's a 220,000 mile car. thank you so much for creating and sharing this video

[@teranceschmidt1090]

Thanks! The tip to pull the linkages tight before resetting made all the difference. I did the adjustment before without doing that and I lose 5th. Now, with that tip, perfect shifting!

[@kagisodonald3199]

Thanks for the detailed instructions, it’s no longer a struggle to shift into 3rd and 4th. Even when it feels like gear 1 or 5 is not in at times you’d find that it’s actually engaged🙏🏾

[@secondarycontainment4727]

I installed the Deisel Geek short shifter on my 01 VW Jetta Wolfsburg about 20 years ago. Best money I've spent on the vehicle so far. THANK YOU!!!

[@stanleyshedd2643]

I cannot thank you enough for sharing this information. My beetle was extremely hard to go into reverse and 2nd. Dud this and it shifts like a dream. Again...THANK YOU!

[@stevegem4155]

just put new shifter cables in my 2007 beetle went through the Hayes manual they gave me a picture of that locking pin I couldn't find it to save my life apreciate the video man you save my ass

[@daddyg5654]

I finally upgraded my MK4 to the DG shifter bushings....it is very very important to follow this video after doing that. I didn't and found I could get into reverse when I thought I was in 1st. There was that much slop in my shifter.... Thanks guys!

[@OkanaganLife]

I have a 2008 City Golf (Canada) and this solution worked amazingly. Just a note, make sure that when you release the cable springs, you make sure they return all of the way back. The first time I did this, I lost first gear because the linkage shifted after 5 minutes. I repeated the steps and this time made sure the springs had fully returned (there is almost a ridge that you have to pull past) and now my first gear is perfect. My car shifts better than it did when it was new. Thanks.

[@johnneville3549]

Brilliant video. Used this to cure the lack of crispness in engaging 4th gear on my mk4 golf. NB if your bushings are worn, don’t take out the cable slack when re-engaging the lock collars. I did this and lost reverse. Just snap them back. And then replace your worn bushings! Many thanks for this super helpful vid.

[@RemotelyChris]

This video is 8 years old and still helped me! I couldn't get into 1st gear and I knew it wasn't transmission. Felt like an adjustment. Thanks to your video I now have smooth shifting action. Thanks a lot for doing this if you even see these comments anymore lol.

[@undeniablyd]

I have a 2000 MKIV Jetta 2.0, and only a 3mm Allen Wrench. Before, the only way I could get into 1st and 2nd Gear was to drop the shifter into reverse gear and easing out into 1st and second gears! After this tutorial, I can confirm this method works; I'm back to normal. Thank You.

[@montanascott9676]

I just adjusted the shift linkage on my 2001 Audi TT Quattro using this video, and it worked I even got 1st and 2nd gear back.

[@TheRichiedichie]

This is honestly one of the best tutorials I have ever seen on KZbin. It didn't solve my problem I'm afraid, I have a 1997 2.0 8v GTi Golf. The clutch is slipping and I recognise this is a common problem, but there is zilch on resolution of the problem. It is a self adjuster and I think that is the problem. Thanks for a very instructive Video, (Now I'll have to try to find out why my Renault isn't correctly adjusted!)

[@swyoung69]

Thank you for this video. I broke my locking pin and didn't know what to do, kept getting false reverse. Now after the non pin adjustment it works perfect!

[@jacobclaassens690]

Thanks, just used this on my mk5 diesel after 3rd gear became fucked after an engine wash. Back to the good life of smooth gear changes

[@cailewis7252]

Both 1st and 2nd gear were sticking and to get into reverse I had to really push the shifter hard. I followed your vid and now it's changing smoothly and as good as new! Thanks guys - awesome vid!

[@mediafootball917]

Thank you so much.. i like the fact that you clearly state that you need to pull the cables outwards,that made the whole difference.

[@balangovender6012]

Good evening Sir, I used your video to adjust my gear linkage on a 2000 Audi TT. Wow I must admit that your video was simply explained and totally accurate, the gear linkage is now perfect. Thank you for a well presented video. GOD Bless all .

[@Sharkiemark1968]

My 2006 VW Passat 1.9TDi (B6) had an issue selecting 2nd gear problem changing from 1st to 2nd or 3th to 2nd you would 30% of the time end up getting 4th Gear (problem at traffic lights and while crossing a busy road !!!!) used this video to re-adjust the linkage and worked first time (well problem shifted to selecting 5th gear ) second time managed to perfect guess the locking drill bit shifted the first time just want to say a big thanks for well explained Video

[@neildidit]

Despite how old this video is, thanks for sharing it.

[@squisaw]

Hey guys this video is still helping people. My cables fused the 3 little plastic fingers of the adjuster with rust. Some WD-40 and a few taps with screwdriver freed them so then I could adjust them correctly. Works great now. Thanks!

[@simonrochon-tremblay6905]

I had lost my rear shift. I've done exactly your procedure and everything works perfectly. Thanks a lot !

[@nofussproductions]

for me on a mk6 gt petrol 6 speed in the uk, my reverse had always played up so that i would have to roll the car an inch or 2 while putting it in reverse sometimes. Then couple of days ago I reversed out my drive then wernt to put it in first and couldn't get it into any of the gears. Anyway what had happened is the selector had come off the gearbox, the securing e clip must have come off. I went to vw got one for £1 fitted it and went through the instructions here adjusting it by pulling the spring back then just letting go, and its better than it ever was. Thank you to this channel.

[@alessandropru]

I just finished a year long engine rebuild/rehab project on my BEW jetta tdi! I put it all together and the missing piece of the puzzle was the shifter! I couldn't get it into First or Reverse! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE HELP

[@sireland66]

I managed to resurrect my 2000 Jetta TDI thanks to your video, many thanks!!!

[@masonbell5567]

My TDI would not go into reverse at all it would just think it’s first and first and second were very difficult to get into but after just asjusting the side to side everything works perfect, absolute lifesaver

[@JellyMeister]

changing the clutch on my 2007 fabia, this helped soo much thank you for this perfect video!

[@Wpilot673]

Thank you for this great video! My daughters 2000 VW TDI was grinding going into 5th gear. Your video walked me through adjusting the linkage and it works great now.

[@glossworxrefinishing50]

Brilliant work mate, Ordered the 1st gear getter for my wife's Audi tt, As she had lost reverse and 5th?> Simple install and her locking pin had been previously sheered off "i imagine by a ham fisted workshop" . Following these instructions made the job Quick and easy, i highly recommend these bushings for anyone wanting a tight feel and perfect shifting back

[@wuzzewuzze]

thanx a lot for the clear video instruction. I almost threw my transmission apart to view why it didn't shift well but I could fix it and now it's running perfectly.

[@staffanfogelberg6816]

I bought a short shifter kit for my B5 Passat 1.8T from you long time ago. Still one of my favourite mods. ...😀😀😀

[@benjones1917]

This video has got me out of a few pickles, as my tower locking pin diesnt work. Thanks so much for making this

[@schuylermorris5342]

Man I've watched a bunch of videos of how to adjust the cables and I couldn't seem to get it right, it would shift into 1,3,5 gear perfectly but no 2,4,6 gear this is the first video I've seen about pulling the slack out. Gonna try it first thing in the morning, I've been having trouble for the last few days with my 09 CC 6 speed, I believe my pin may be broken as well, it'll lock the weight from going up and down however I can still rotate it a ways. Going to try the broken pin adjustment as well. THANK YOU GOOD SIR for the video. GREAAAATLY APPRECIATED keep up the great work

[@schuylermorris5342]

@@dieselgeekdotcom yeah that was the original issue, happened while my wife was out grocery shopping, had it towed home and the next morning I seen that 4-5 of the splines were worn out the weight. Got that replaced but still can't shift into 2, 4, 6 gear, all the others are fine, clutch engages perfectly, all other gears are great, just a matter of getting those pain in the ass cable ends adjusted correctly again. Also I noticed the selector shaft that the weighted piece attaches to, when it's not in any gear and just resting should I be able to pull up on it or should it be all the way up while not engaged?

[@vwbr3nt]

I just followed these instructions with the diesel-geek alignment pin and words cannot explain how good it shifts. Many thanks for this! 👍 Now time to reunite myself with first gear using another one of your great creations. 👍❤

[@kevinwong7843]

Thanks for the video. After 14 years and 270K miles, my shifter started feeling notchy. Gear changes from 2-3 and 3-4 were starting to miss, so I followed the instructions and my shifter is as good as new. I would suggest working on a cold car or waiting an hour with the hood up to prevent burning your hands.

[@QuicksilverRZ]

Thank you so much for this new video, i adjusted it by the old method before but when my shifter got some play in it and started popping out of 1st 3rd and 5th, i tried to adjust it again to find that my locking pin was broken and i have been trying to adjust it for the past few months!

[@davelaurentino8021]

Thank you Diesel Geeks! I had issues with shifting into first. After following the video, my VW Jetta TDI shifts better than the day I bought it!

[@putinisgod6814]

I love this system. It’s so easy to adjust and you can fine tune your adjustment in Minutes

[@MikkoRantalainen]

The cable ends are easily accessible with Golf but with Passat it's totally another story. The VW engineers have installed all kinds of stuff above the shifter mechanism to make this harder with Passats.

[@johnmar1622]

Thanks Jim, I have tried your both method on my 2001 s3. Your first holding pin(chrome wheel locking pin on the gear box) method is working after I have tried several times(exhausting) tried to get right. Before that I also tried your second method, for some reason, I always missed the reverse gear, and even I have tried several times. It is always engaged in first gear even you push the gear knob down. First method, required many attempts due to locking pin slide off. Finally, I got the gear box locking pin "locked" and I was able to get gears right.

[@bradkuebler7916]

This could not have been more helpful. THANKS! Once I saw that the orientation is a bit different for MKVII and I focused on the cable with the horizontal end vs. the cable with the vertical one all was well. Taking up the slack is key!

[@mdrc3288]

There are other videos about this matter but this one is a ``MUST`` to understand how , what and why you are doing things for the shifter adjustment. You definitely made the best video of how to solve this problem!!!👏👏👏 Excellent !!!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😃👌

[@peaworturlaserartengraving9096]

My 05 Gt tdi 6 speed, struggles with 1st & Reverse, I heard about doing a realiment but feels a big job, watched this video can't wait to give it a try now seems so simple, thanks

[@dieselgeekdotcom]

Yeah, it's pretty quick. An '05 Golf is getting up there in age though, so if you aligning the shifter doesn't allow you to get your gears, there's probably slop in the system. Watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXmldmisrsiaY5Y

[@toobiedoo5396]

Thank you! I’ve been dealing with some hard shifting for a year and lost reverse just a few days ago. This process worked great 🙏🙏🙏

[@dieselgeekdotcom]

Glad that worked out, but there is probably slop developing in the cabin shifter assembly. We offer various bushing kits to repair that.

[@MacLeMetre]

Thanks man you are the only one who explains all right .

[@perosity]

Great video helped me out big time, when taking the slack out push the cable away from the shift tower I did it the other way and had to redo it

[@Trendyflute]

THANK YOU. This is awesome. Didn't know about the home position on the shifter in the car last I tried this and it was almost an hour of trial and error to get it to shift right. And that trick with holding the slack is trick.

[@fernandomcc7954]

The pin on my jetta was broken. I used the second method and worked perfectly. Thank you!!

[@marsiseret7140]

Thanks for the video! My golf 5 gti wouldnt shift smoothly into rear gear i used a 5mm drill bit to lock transmission and now it shifts perfect again!

[@vernonbowmaniii6782]

Thank you for the clear and informative video!! 2001 JETTA 1.8T WOLFSBURG EDITION - AWW

[@pbford9675]

Thanks for this video. My pin wasn't broken however I was having difficulty adjusting my shift cables on my 14 Jetta 2.0 5 speed. I adjusted my 5th gear away ! I used your method of adustment assuming a broken adjustment lock pin and I'm back rolling again. Shifter slop is all gone and 5th gear came home. Thanks once again.

[@stefanoberholzer9158]

Thanks guys for taking the time to do this video in aid of all out there! It was an absolute breeze getting it done!

[@ed_cetera]

I much appreciate your very descriptive tutorial, using your video I was able to adjust my shifter and regain proper actuation of 1st and 2nd gear in my 2001 VW Golf. Prior to watching this I had no idea how to do this and was able to do it in literally 10 minutes including finding the correct drill. Thank you Sir

[@markkellerhouse3179]

Thank you shifts a lot smoother now took a while to get it just right at first it wouldn’t go in second or third but when I got it just right shifts into all gears smoothly

[@Nismolife-wo4sc]

Awesome is save me from messing up my transmission I was able to put the cables back in place thanks so much for the video man

[@haloozater]

Hi. Thanks a lot! I ended up using the second option ( with broken pin ) even that my pin is there, it doesn't do anything. I used alan 4mm key first time but and didn't do good job. On second try I made sure the gear stick is well positioned and I repeat the adjustments. Perfect video!

[@jogon3594]

Excellent video, I just repair my car using your video, Thanks a lot!! you save my a lot of time, very easy to follow your video.

[@Costya-mz2im]

Благодаря вам я отрегулировал мкпп на Шкода Октавия 5

[@brady3536]

Thanks for the video, one thing that would improve it would be to indicated what direction you're pulling to pull the slack out of the cable, an arrow or something would be nice. The first time I did it I pulled the wrong direction and lost 1st gear. 2000 Golf TDI w/267K miles and still getting 50 MPG.

[@joepenfield]

And yet after your criticism you also fail to mention which way to pull the cables.

[@jimsego]

@@joepenfield Yeah exactly. This is where I'm at right now and can't figure out which way removes the slack.

[@cconditt]

Push the cable towards the shifter knob inside the car. ....loads the shifter knob assembly making the cable tight. Hold that position and release the spring.

[@cartrenddiy5282]

You are a real master mechanic

[@elevativevisuals]

Even better than the other explanation. Awesome and very clear

[@nbimports572]

I have an 08 Jetta with 5 speed manual transmission.I was having problem getting into first gear.After watching your video I follow the instructions and problem was corrected but now I lost 5th gear.Your advise is greatly appreciated.

[@AnthonyWrightCortez]

That was exactly the problem! It was hitting something. You were right! Thank you! You saved me a trip to the shop!

[@JohnKaufmann]

Thank you for posting this excellent video. Clear explanation, outstanding visuals and....IT WORKED!!!!!!

[@OnassisParungao]

Dude, thank you so much...you saved me allot. I recently began having problems getting into 1st gear. After watching a bunch of your vids I think the adjustment really helped my 2000 Jetta. I was so pumped after watching that I still wanted to order your FIGG just so I could have it. So I did. :)

[@joaocasanovas5312]

Congratulations on a fantastic video. You really have the gift to explain this stuff to a layman like myself. Thank YOU very much.

[@gymrant9871]

Give Jim from diesel geek a metal thanks for the guidance really helped I understand the concept of how to adjust the gears now

[@georgeshop3654]

My good man you're an excellent mechanic

[@mgbarela]

Thanks Bro. It totally works you are the man. Sweet. I am still having trouble with p1128 and a brake leak issue ongoing.. New stage 2 clutch not even broken in yet but the transmission passes.

[@DankalexC]

watched a different video first and couldn't get it right... then i watched this video and i got it. fixed!

[@Matetodaslasmananas]

BEST EXPLANATION EVER.

[@MattyDredge]

Thank you, this worked a treat to give me 1st and 2nd back without having to push yhe reverse gate down 😆 it took a couple of attempts to get all gears though as there is alot of wear.

[@rolandsmith2141]

Thanks, ive actually damaged the ligaments in my shoulder from fighting to get 1st ,2nd and reverse for so long so im giving this ago asap

[@shanflix]

This saved my 5th gear on my 02J. Somehow I had gears 1-4 right, but 5th wasn’t happening. This adjustment got gear 5 back.

[@Oldfordsneverdie]

Super video, managed to sort out poor shifting on a Seat Leon FR 2016 TDI! Thanks Mr! :)

[@hafeeshfazulu]

Excellent video ... Just what i was looking for... My skoda octavia difficult to put in first and second gear...

[@1.9tdilove71]

Same with my skoda octavia rider .Shifting hard from 1st to 2nd. What exactly you did friend. How much cost of repair?

[@SquillyMon]

Nice demo on shifter adjustment....A Lot of good info here. I know that this was just for Demo Purposes and serves that purpose in an excellent manner...but did you notice how much play there was in the cable end bushing for the 1st to 2nd shift movement? That end bushing is SHOT... you can see its cracked inside. Pay attention to the condition of your shift cable end bushings.... Doing this adjustment will surely help tune in the shifter...but pay CLOSE attention to the condition of those end bushings....those will introduce a lot of play where you do NOT want it. The cable may have all the slack out of it and be perfect....but shift feel or shift travel in either direction will be affected by those end bushes... Make sure yours are healthy and this procedure will be all you need !! Nice job !

[@SquillyMon]

You couldn't be more correct... After looking at my vehicle as well as another with new ends on it....they were exactly the same. Lots of play but in a controlled manner...you hit it right on the nose there ! I hadn't seen or played with these cable ends until I installed my adjustable shift arm and now....i think I like the slop a bit ! Whowouldathunkit ?

[@Lehmann108]

I find it impossible to lock the shift mechanism in the home position. I'm afraid I'm going to break the plastic lever off......Just went out and locked it up! Watching you did it helped. Thanks.

[@mygtr2021]

well done video!! thanks for helping me smoothen out the 5 speed on my Mark 4!! if anyone needs VW help, i will definitely remember to send them to you guys. thanks

[@shoguy164]

thanks...been working on vw for a long time yet its been awhile since ive done this...couldnt remember how...very informative

[@broadslover.2299]

Ive just tried this on my mk5 golf gt tdi and i couldnt select first gear after i followed this video, tried it four times to no avail so tried again locking the pin on the box then opened the clips then locked the gear shift released the clips with out taking any slack away and bang perfect all gears are good.

[@JJ-rg1wu]

The video helped me set the gears. thank you👍

[@lostmeselfinmymind]

Thanks for the video, helped me fix my brothers 01 turbo diesel beetle. Was having a hard time going into first, not any more. Great Video!

[@PaulShort]

Just a quick thanks to the guys at dieselgeek for making this video! I don't work on VW much, finding this video made adjusting with the broken pin a piece of cake that was done in about 3 minutes!

[@921aa]

Jim thanks for the great instruction. I had an old cheapie screw driver that was 5mm dia. I think a 5mm pin gage (used in machine shops) that is 2'' long would work too.

[@megamovers3939]

Thank you so much ,I almost bought a new gearbox.

[@peanutbutterisfu]

Love videos like this, short and to the point. Thanks!

[@sergioperez6077]

This help me a lot fixing my 01 jetta about almos 3 weeks ago.

[@christophers8681]

Used this to fix a problem on a Mk 6 Golf 6 Speed, Same method pretty much. Handy Vid :)

[@photoguy1000]

This video is great!!! Because of the info here I got my car working perfectly!!!