Transmission or clutch

1999 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
200,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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VERONICA REZENTES
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  • 2 POSTS
I have no reverse and my gears are slipping. Do I need a new clutch, cable, or transmission?
May 2, 2016 at 9:36 AM
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MHPAUTOS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 31,937 POSTS
Sounds very much like a clutch problem, reverse has no syncro so it is always near impossible to select with a faulty clutch, i would get a mechanic to inspect this first hand to be sure and go get a few quotes as well don't settle for the first price you get, it pays to shop around.
May 2, 2016 at 2:29 PM
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VANESSABERRY
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How do you adjust the cable clutch for a 1996 VW Golf? Can you adjust it before you install or does it just self adjust once you install?
Nov 9, 2019 at 1:43 PM (Merged)
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EXOVCDS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 1,883 POSTS
This should be a self adjusting clutch cable... however, in order
for the mechanism to work correctly, you need to first "collapse"
the cable so that it can be installed. Some do not have a cable fyi

Once the cable is collapsed (outer accordion shell compressed), attach
the cable at both ends and then it can be extended.

Pump the clutch pedal 5 or more times to allow the self adjusting
mechanism to find the correct adjustment.

In order for the cable to stay collapsed, it should have a plastic
tie-strap of some kind, that hooks into the lower part of the accordion
bellows, to keep the bellows collapsed... see image.

Thomas
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Nov 9, 2019 at 1:43 PM (Merged)