andygal 0 Posted July 29, 2014 Hi, I know it has been covered a lot on here but I am having trouble getting my VR6 into 5th gear. I bought a 2nd hand box from someone on here who said it worked perfectly. Upon fitting it, it seems perfect in every gear but wont go into 5th. I have tried adjusting it and manually putting it into 5th but it just wont go, no matter how hard you try. Any ideas what the problem could be? Thanks, Andy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Bowen 1 Posted July 29, 2014 Did you use your shift tower on the other gearbox or did it come with one? Also the shifter mech inside the car. Think that had a few bits that can wear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygal 0 Posted July 29, 2014 It came with one so I used it but replaced the 2 consumable bits. The shifter mech has been overhauled so dont think it will be that :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madmatt 10 Posted July 30, 2014 can you select 5gear at the gearbox end try it with the cables connected and off should point you in the right direction as to whats at fault. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bails88 10 Posted July 30, 2014 Had the same issue with mine about a month ago. The selector tower on the gearbox wouldn't lift up to engage 5th, all the other gears were fine. Managed to find a replacement tower from another forum member and swapped it over. Its only a couple of bolts to get the tower out, and if you have a good one off your old box it may be an easy thing to try. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liam20vT 10 Posted July 30, 2014 I've currently got the same issue with my box although its a 20vt conversion I have no idea what gearbox is in there at the moment.Interested to hear peoples thoughts on this! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madmatt 10 Posted July 31, 2014 easy to tell the type of box are there rods with a round green end cap or cables and a large square black end cap. i would have thought it's a cable change box that would be standard on a 20v. i thought vw did a rebuild kit for the tower as i have seen similar problems on the tdi's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygal 0 Posted August 1, 2014 Thanks for the suggestions guys. Unfortunatley, it is the same when you try to put it in 5th by hand on the box with the cables detatched. Will try the other shifter tower in it but starting to think its knackered too :( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sean_Jaymo 0 Posted August 1, 2014 Shift towers don't live forever unfortunately. They are adjustable and if they are out of adjustment due to wear of the cables or bushes, it just ruins them quickly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liam20vT 10 Posted August 1, 2014 Well driving home today and 5th gear has gone completely :( I have Dave's short shifter fitted also so I don't think it's the shifter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygal 0 Posted August 5, 2014 Thanks for all the suggestions. Thankfully it was an easy fix :$ It appears that when I fitted the counter balance I didn't align it properly so it was stopping it from going into 5th. Appreciate all the help! Andy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
