clutch or tranny problem not sure please help!

[ounderoatho]

i have an 83 vw rabbit and i cant get it to get in to gear. it just sounds lke the engine is reving. i was driving got in to first and second alright and then i got it in to third and then thats when it just seemed like the clutch was spinning. PLEAE HELP ME. ANY IDEAS?!?!?!?!

[mars-red]

I assume this is a manual transmission, correct?

A1 VWs (Jettas up through 84 and all Rabbits) are notorious for having shift linkage problems (mainly because they are all so old now). It sounds like your clutch is fine - if it were a clutch problem, it would manifest itself in first and second gear more than third.

Knowing older VWs, and from what you say, my best guess at this point would be that your shift linkage is worn and/or way out of adjustment, which is keeping 3rd gear (and possibly others) from actually engaging. Shifter rebuild kits are available (they consist mainly of bushings and a couple of plastic rods), but often do not include the parts that wear at the base of the shift lever itself.

If you are able to get every single gear except for 3rd, and all of the other gears engage easily, and the shift linkage does not feel sloppy, then it could be you have a problem with 3rd gear itself. That would be very unusual for a VW 020 transmission, though. More likely is that you are having problems engaging some of the other gears as well (such as first and fifth)

If you plan on fixing the shift linkage yourself, then let me know and I will dig up some links to places that sell rebuild kits as well as complete upgrades to convert your linkage to an all-metal bushingless system.