Transmission Locked in Reverse - Suspect Speedometer Gear

[jlw]

1985 Golf 1.6 NA 5 speed: I replaced the speedometer cable and noticed that the gear didn't come out with the old cable. I thought I got the new cable installed but I THINK the gear must not have engaged with the new cable end.

I drove the car but no speedo action. Today I backed out and the trans/shifter is jammed in reverse.

I can't even see the gear inside the trans. I've felt around and can't feel the gear either.

Is it possible that this gear is causing the problem? Does anyone know the insides of these 5 speeds well enough to tell me if I have a chance at fixing it without removing the transmission and tearing it all apart?

[burn_your_money]

www.brokevw.com

[jlw]

I've sent a request for advice to the BrokeVW.com person.

[jlw]

Brian at http://www.BrokeVW.com said that the speedo gear can and often does get knocked off and end up causing reverse gear problems. Here's Brians reply for anyone who may be following this post:

Jeff --
 
Before I opened the email, I planned to ask about any recent speedo gear problems based on just the subject line.
 
It is, without question, why the trans is stuck in reverse. The chunk of plastic speedo gear has sunk and settled to the lowest point in the trans, right where the reverse idler gear slides.
 
They either get locked into or out of reverse gear. Sometimes years go by with no problems, sometimes it happens fairly quickly.
 
There is no easy way to remove it, I'm afraid. You can drain the fluid, use a flexible claw grabber tool, and go fishing, but if it can't be removed, the trans would need split open to get the gear out.
 
The problem with leaving them in, besides the reverse idler issue, is that the chunks of plastic as the gear is mangled inside can get into the sync key slots, get into the oil passage that feeds the front input shaft bearing, and can cause bearing rollers to slide and skip instead of roll.
 
Let me know if there is anything else I can help with, or if you need the trans worked on.
 
Brian

[Op-Ivy]

Nice of him to send you a nice little blurb so quickly. Looks like you're going fishing! Good luck!  

[jlw]

Tomorrow I'll be pulling the engine and trans. I'll take the opportunity to re-gasket the engine externals, do the timing belt and tensioner thing and maybe water pump.

Then I'll see if I can see/fish the gear out. I imagine the trans will need to come apart. I'll have to make a decision as to whether I do it or send it out for someone else to split the cases.

~Jeff