VW MK4, MK5, and MK6 5 speed shifter adjustment for 02J and MQ250 transmissions
Why Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange recommends it
Mechanics Stack Exchange answerers point people to it when a VW-group manual gearbox won't engage gears and the shift linkage cables may be out of adjustment.
Recommended by 3 people across 3 different months, 2015 to 2017.
What it is
A short how-to from the dieselgeek channel showing how to adjust the stock shift linkage on VW and Audi cars with the 02J and MQ250 five-speed gearboxes (MK4, MK5, MK6). It covers the adjustment with and without the plastic L-shaped locking pin, using a 5mm pin or drill bit, and notes that worn shifter bushings should be checked first.
What people said
Recommends Nick C · 2015-02 · Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange · on “Shifting: hard to pull out of reverse and sticks going into first and second”
That sounds like the gear linkage - i.e. the physical connection between the gear stick in the cabin and the gearbox itself. A quick Google suggests that the Jetta has a cable linkage, which may need adjustment - Bowden cables stretch over time, and so become loose. This page [LINK] describes a shortcut to the official factory method: Have a helper move the shifter inside the car while you watch the shifter assembly on the transmission .... Fore-aft adjustment should be the cable on your right when standing in front of the car, looking down, ... Left-right adjustment should be the cable on the left ... ... On the mk5 Jetta and the mk6 Golf you must remove the engine air filter box for cleara
Recommends Andy Joiner · 2015-05 · Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange · on “2001 GTI not going into reverse, 1st, 3rd, or 5th after clutch replacement”
If it's similar to the Polo, having gear linkage cables, they could have been knocked out of adjustment, or if disconnected probably were not put back exactly. Check out this [this video] showing the adjustment procedure.
Recommends Steve Matthews · 2017-08 · Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange · on “Seat Leon TDI Stylance 2007”
The first thing I would do is bleed the clutch and replace the gearbox oil. I would also reset the gear linkage, This [this video] Youtube video explains the procedure to reset the gear linkage. After these three servicing steps, you may find that the problem goes away.