MK4 Gti stuck in 1st gear

[Zaki84]

Hello everyone… long time since my last post…..

Got 2002 mk4 Gti,stuck in 1st gear. Any suggestions where should I start and what should I check first?


Also anyone selling bora or r32 dash trim by any chance…. Want to get rid off wood trim crap


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[lloydus67]

Sounds like your mechatronic has died.
Is your mileage around 160,000 kilometres? Thats when they tend to fail.


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[Zaki84]

Yeah 200000kms. What can be done there? New gearbox or it repairable?


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[lloydus67]

Yes repairable. New mechatronic unit from VW is approximately $4800 plus installation and 2L of gearbox oil. Not forgetting the $250 diagnostic charge (hook up the computer) then the $250 investigation charge (when they actually open the gearbox). If you can find a good Vw independent mechanic, they can order the parts cheaper and fit them.
I just had Vw quote me $4800 for the mechatronic and $3700 plus labour for the Brake Controller on my VW Jetta.
My local mechanic did it for $5227 using genuine VW parts.


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[Zaki84]

I’ve hear from one guy that 1.6gearbox fits in Gti. Just something needs to be changed. I’ve had that replaced on my previous Gti. dubster99 did here in Adelaide. I’ll check with him today to see what can be done


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[lloydus67]

Just be careful that you don’t replace the gearbox with another one that has limited life left in the mechatronic unit.


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[Sharkie]

This is a 2002 MK4 GTI .... it has a manual gearbox ... no DSG ... no mechatronic.

Zaki, what does the clutch feel like, does it still work?

[Zaki84]

Yeah still works but can’t move gear shifter. Feels like it’s jammed . Clutch pedal is fine goes down than goes back normally When released . Any ideas?


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[Zaki84]

This is a 2002 MK4 GTI .... it has a manual gearbox ... no DSG ... no mechatronic.

Zaki, what does the clutch feel like, does it still work?

There is some oil under car… master cylinder or slave ?


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[Sharkie]

If you can control the car in 1st with the clutch then the clutch is probably OK.

It is probably either internal in the gearbox or the linkages from the shifter to the gearbox. Have a look at the gear selector mechanism on top of the gearbox and see if you can move it (by hand). On a 5spd from a Mk4, I did have the linkages fail with similar sypmtoms.

[Zaki84]

If you can control the car in 1st with the clutch then the clutch is probably OK.

It is probably either internal in the gearbox or the linkages from the shifter to the gearbox. Have a look at the gear selector mechanism on top of the gearbox and see if you can move it (by hand). On a 5spd from a Mk4, I did have the linkages fail with similar sypmtoms.

It’s stuck in gear. I can’t start it. So I think clutch would be jammed or something, pedal moves but if try to start car starts moving. As clutch pedal by looks of it doesn’t do much


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[Sharkie]

It’s stuck in gear. I can’t start it. So I think clutch would be jammed or something, pedal moves but if try to start car starts moving. As clutch pedal by looks of it doesn’t do much


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Well, that sounds like clutch failure then, I have had that before too ... worth checking the selector still. Unless the clutch plate has gone, probably either of the clutch cylinders (master or slave), especially if there is fluid underneath the car.

Both are do-able yourself, but it is a pain, and I'd suggest getting it towed to a VW mech. At least it will be a lot cheaper than replacing the gearbox.

[Zaki84]

I’ve got brand new clutch kit….. so I may just give it go and see . Got dubster99 he will sort it out…… thanks man for info


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[beale187]

I've had this problem before on another mk4. If you try crank it over and at the same time try and select neutral it can disengage the clutch.