gear selector

[monument7]

Hi Guys,

New to this forum and wish we could meet under different circumstances :wub:  but I have a problem.

My 2002 2.8 Ghia auto was bought as a non runner with a diagnostic fault apparently so it was delivered by a transport company and parked right up on a kerb on a hill stuck in park. Impossible to rock it on my own I used a bit of force to try to get it out of park to move it off the kerb and an awful sound came from the selector. Now I can move the gear selector up and down but it will not select any gears and rolls freely in all positions except it will not go back into park so no chance of starting it.

At least it's parked correctly now .

Any help much appreciated.

Could the selector cables or rods have jumped out somewhere ?

Cheers

Dave
P.S
I disconnected the selector rod on the gearbox under the battery tray and the gear selector will still not move into park so looks like somethings broke and jammed. I will remove it tomorrow, is is serviceable and what's it likely to be. I am a toolmaker so making bits isn't a problem

[insanitybeard]

If you've physically forced the tranmission to turn with the selector in park position then from my understanding of it you'll likely have broken something mechanically & internally in the gearbox, which is major I'm afraid. Somebody may be able to bring you better news/ know better than I but I'm pretty sure that's the deal.
 
   Sorry! 


EDIT: I may have misunderstood what you typed........ did you try to force the vehicle to move with it still in park or did you just force the selector lever out of park position? If it was the latter then it's less serious as you've probably just broken a pin or lug somewhere in the selector, as the vehicle was able to move once you forced the selector then I would assume the locking pawl in the gearbox disengaged ok, so I would expect the damage is at the selector lever end inside the vehicle. It looks like there's an interlock cable (number 7) linked to the ignition designed to prevent the vehicle from being taken out of park unless the ignition is switched on, as well as an inhibitor switched linked to the brake pedal (possibly number 12). If you can no longer select any gears then possibly the selector cable or lug that connects it to the mecanism is broken. Hopefully worst case you'll just need a secondhand selector to get you away-  usually turns up a few.

[monument7]

and the selector on top of the box moves through the gears ok so looks like the selector lever assembly. Cable ends are intact so tomorrow will tell.
Thanks and will keep you updated in the meantime if anyone has a unit for sale in case I need it a message would be appreciated

[insanitybeard]

There's one here, always worth making sure the part numbers match your old assembly though.

[gregers]

 

you found us then 

[monument7]

Yes mate ,
My next question is how to get the gear selector assembly out. I was struggling with the 4 star drive bolts then looking at the one for sale on e bay the bolts are there so assume it must be fixed another way.

[insanitybeard]

I'd say there was a chance it's retained from the underside through the floorpan so you may have to unbolt it from underneath if you can't shift it by unscrewing the bolts up top, though looking at the parts diagram it looks like the selector sits atop a turret which the top bolts affix to, I would have thought it would come off by removing those top bolts that you mention.

[monument7]

That would make sense the way it's refusing to move but can't see it being fixed from below. Where would I view the parts diag ?

[insanitybeard]

In the link I posted in my original reply above!

[monument7]

Got it thanks ,
I have removed both the cables, the 4 star bolts and a self tapper that show from the top and the unit does move up slightly which leads me to believe it's not bolted from below. The one on e bay looks the same so I may just buy this and then will be able to see how it's fixed. I think by the time ive messed with the one in the car it will be beyond repair anyway 

[monument7]

Looking at the diagram again it appears to be different to what I have, is this for a Mk1 ?.
The 4 star bolts I have taken off seem to be just holding the top of the unit to a chassis which could well be bolted from underneath. Not what I wanted as it's stood in a car park 

[monument7]

SORTED 

[gregers]

good but how?

[Chrispb]

Sorted how!!

[monument7]

Removed the 4 star drive bolts holding the top of the unit on. Inside the threaded boss I saw another star drive so stuck a socket in and unscrewed the boss and off it came. Well all except one that I had to drill out. Was then told the correct way is to undo 4 bolts holding the unit chassis from under the car. Jobs done now , well at least it's out and the problem is a piece of plastic had broken off jamming the mechanism.
Can't be repaired without drilling out rivets etc to get to it then not a guaranteed repair so biting the bullet and going to buy that one from e bay and hope it's ok.

[Chrispb]

 

[gregers]

fingers crossed you get it all sorted then.
thanks for the update.

[monument7]

ANOTHER PROBLEM
The one and only key I have will not operate the central locking from the fob but will open all doors from the passenger door lock.
The drivers door lock will not turn at all using the key and is solid as if it's the wrong key.
I need this to work to try to re programme the key to see if it will operate the central locking. I only have the one key which won't go in the tailgate lock either but I think thats just full of crud so sprayed it to soak.
Is it possible the lock is siezed solid which I find hard to believe or do I seek another door lock and key. Don't want to strip it to find it cant be fixed then have to wait to get another lock. Mind you I could file down the tumblers to suit my key 
Cheers

[monument7]

WELL,
Fitted the replacement gear selector and it still wont start. Had a diagnostics man look at it and codes show the gearbox is not "talking" to the car so it doesn't know what gear its in so wont start. I then noticed I can change gears without pressing the footbrake. Checked that the brakelights come on so not the switch. Is it the cable and would that be the cause ?

[Mirez]

You really should buy a copy of VCDS, it'll tell you a lot more then just the fault codes as you'll be able to see exactly what gear the gearbox "thinks" its in.

You need someone with an auto to chime in but from memory you certainly shouldn't be able to move the selector without your foot on the brake so thats AN issue but I doubt its THE issue.

[monument7]

Got it down to a VW mechanic who has traced it back to the gearbox ECU broke and not "talking" to the engine. Must be female :-). Ã,£195 to Ã,£300 to repair so looking for a second hand one

[monument7]

Ok here's the update.
Took a chance on an ECU off e bay with all matching numbers except the last letter. Mine ends in G this one is a C. Fitted and coded and yee haaaah it started. Runs fine except the gear change is very jerky. I am hoping this is due to the fact it has been stood for ages and needs a gearbox oil change and not down to the letter on the ECU.
Will keep you updated........... Peyton Place didn't go on this long ha ha