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Gearstick not springing to centre

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Joenomore View Drop Down
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    Posted: 01 Oct 14 at 17:26
Hi all. I had some issues changing gear recently (all gears) and took it to a VW franchise for advice. As they fitted the new clutch two years ago (and flywheel) and it had only done 12K miles since, they said it was more likely the gearstick control cables sitcking and not the clutch. They replaced the cables at a cost of £240 but called me in as something was still not quite right. They advised me that my gearstick was not springing back to the centre like it should. Now I can't remember if it was like that before they fitted these new cables. However they are now saying that my gearbox needs work. I have since took it to a gearbox specialist and they tell me the box is fine, it needs no work and if they replaced it, it wouldn't fix the issue. They say it needs new cables! I told him that they were new, like last week. He says they are then faulty. Been back to the franchise and they say gearbox issue. Spoken to an ex mechanic and he says the bias (springy centreing thingy) is only achieved at the gearstick end and not in the gearbox. I have removed the left hand cable from the gearstick end ball joint and the gearsick then springs back fine. Cable attached-no spring. It will spring back (just about) from the passenger side but not from the drivers side. Any ideas please?? The gearbox specialist actually removed it both ends for me and showed me that when pulled out to it's longest length it is hard to push back in again. I have a worry that if the franchise change these cables again and doesn't fix it, they will charge me again. Please anyone got any ideas?
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VW master-tech View Drop Down
Yardie
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VW master-tech Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 14 at 19:11
I would start from the beginning again, establish which end is causing the issue, pop gear cables off of gear lever does the lever move freely, disconnect cables from gearbox does the selector push up and down freely and spring back to neutral position, if they are OK do the cables move back and forth nicely.

Things to check, gear selector top on gearbox is tight and doesn't wobble about (splines wear and can move position) fouling wiring etc in that area, with cables connected check the gear cable adjustment is correct, if gear selector doesn't bounce up and down without sticking this can be removed in situ by removing two bolts and checked they can crack sometimes.

Check these points first and report back and can help with a bit more in depth diag once we know what end is causing the issue. Hope that helps and makes sense
VW WORX VCDS retrofitting and coding carried out, cruise control, mfsw, dis, locking adaptions pm for a quote
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Joenomore View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Joenomore Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 14 at 21:03
Thankyou for your reply. With the cables disconnected from the gearstick end, the gearknob is perfect. It centres fine with the spring thart pushes against the slider. This mechanism has been greased up. It would appear that it's only the left hand cable that is not returning. I have been told that there is nothing in the gearbox that controls or dictates this bias or spring return of the gearstick. AS i said, this cable, when disconnected, is not free to push back down when pulled up to it's full extent. Strange thing is, it's only tight when pushing down and free when pulling up. And this is when the cable is disconnected from the gearbox. I am convinced it's the cable but it is brand new and surely would they not be aware of this when they fitted them?
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Yardie
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VW master-tech Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 14 at 21:16
The selector where the cables attach to the gearbox is sprung loaded and when pushed down or lifted should return to the centre position. If the cables are tight when disconnected from both ends then the cables are either faulty or have been twisted when fitted
VW WORX VCDS retrofitting and coding carried out, cruise control, mfsw, dis, locking adaptions pm for a quote
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Joenomore View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Joenomore Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 14 at 00:24
Hi again. This selector thing you mention must be the thing that the gearbox guy checked and told me was fine. He took both cables off at the gearbox end and checked some kind of arm. I couldn't see it of course but he assured me it was fine.  It was him that suggested a faulty cable, even though new. Interestingly you say "twisted when fitted". Maybe that is the answer then. Could it be just a case of untwisting them or are you saying that once they are twisted, they are no good? I have been told that the cables are one unit and come joined at some place. To me, they look separate, but when searching the web they all seem joined together at one point with some kind of bracket. They do, however, seem to cross over just as they disappear through the floor pan. It's going back to them on Monday morning. I am going to ask them to do exactly what you have suggested. I will let them decide whether the cables are twisted or faulty. Thanks very much for your help. It really is very much appreciated.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gregozedobe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 14 at 02:39
I would be very wary of your VW franchise.  Make sure they don't charge you again for the faulty cables/work they just installed (for £240), and definitely don't let them try to sell you a new gearbox.
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Joenomore View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Joenomore Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Oct 14 at 23:37
All sorted now guys. Took it back to the garage (not a franchise since found out) and they agreed with me that a cable was indeed faulty. They fitted new ones and it's almost there. Gearstick now returns to the centre for easy gearchanging. Only snag is, I think there could now be a slight issue with the other cable as it seems tight going into third gear. They come as a joined pair. Going to give it a week and see how it goes. Many, many thanks for all of your replies.
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