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Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat

816 Views 13 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  scotty_passat, 
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Just wondering if anyone has had problems with the shifting a stick shift of an '00 or '01 1.8T Passat?
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (mgan)

The shifter is sometimes reluctant to go into into second when the car (2001 Passat with 1.8t) has sat overnight and the temperature is below freezing. Minor issue that disappears within the first half mile.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (ColoradoBob)

Whoa! I thought I was the only one with that problem! (V6 for me)
I don't know how much you mean by reluctant, but when shifting out of 1st into 2nd, sometimes it feels like I've hit a brick wall. I hate to force the gear in, and so I end up just shifting to 3rd. I notice that if you shift *very fast* (not to be confused with *forcefully*, it'll slide into 2nd much easier. Seems that the synchros may need a little warmup.
And yes, it's most noticeable driving the car on a cold morning.



[Modified by VWtoLuv, 12:55 AM 2-13-2002]
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (VWtoLuv)

Same problem with the '02 shifter - there was a thread that discussed it a month ago. Occurs when the outside temps are low - even in Houston. It's a standard problem on stick shifts but seems to be a bit harsher with the Passat.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (mgan)

I notice that the clutch/stick has a significant amount of "slippage" when you first accelerate after changing gears in my 01 1.8T. The stick seems to jolt a little when you hit the gas. I thought it was strange, but it's supposedly "normal" for a stock stick/shifter and is eliminated by going with an aftermarket short shifter with less throw and able to put up with more abuse.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (indigofast)

I don't know about slippage... but I can tell you that its downright hard to get my car into first when the car is moving even at a slow speed. I have to shove much harder than I'd like to. Overall the tranny seems pretty tough to shift. Another thing to note is that its not consistently like that, sometimes is easy as pie.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (GoBigRed)

I have the same "reluctancy" issue with 2nd gear in my 02 passat too!
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (GoBigRed)

Tip: Instead of just "shoving" the stick into gear, try tapping your gas to get the revs to spin up while applying light pressure on the stick, then the gear actually feels like it get's sucked in.
On day's with cold starts that cause the reluctancy issue, this seems to help quite a bit.
On the other hand, you shouldn't be shifting into first while the car is moving. I believe 1st should be only a "get the car moving" gear. Slide it into second instead.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (VWtoLuv)

Or try double-clutching. Shift from first into neutral, engage the clutch, disengage the clutch, and shift from neutral to second.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (Tox)

Mine doesn't want to go into 1st sometimes, while sitting at a light. Also, I hate how high the clutch point is. But my parents have a 2001 Jetta, and our shifter is WORLD'S above that one.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (mgan)

from 1st to 2nd on my V6'er in the morning... especially if it's really cold
Other than that, it's ok. The feeling, I might add, is kind of "rubbery"
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (mgan)

Sounds like a few of you are new to manual shifts! What would you have done if you had owned a manual shift from the 60's or 70's? Today's shifters are much better than back then, and once you learn to shift, it will be fine.
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (NC-GTI)

quote:[HR][/HR]Sounds like a few of you are new to manual shifts! What would you have done if you had owned a manual shift from the 60's or 70's? Today's shifters are much better than back then, and once you learn to shift, it will be fine.[HR][/HR]​
umm... right.

Anyway, I haven't let very many people drive my car, but the few who have all have quite a bit of experience with manual transmission (as have I, by the way) and they've all noticed that its hard to get the car into first even at a stop. I guess the only part that bugs me is that its variable - sometimes its hard and other times is easy. I guess its just the synchro. I have bigger issues to worry about...
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Re: Problem with stick shifter on '00 or '01 1.8T Passat (GoBigRed)

if it is real bad, take it back, there is a warranty.
maybe its out of adjustment? (shifter can be adjusted front back and side to side)
mine goes into first very easily, 1-2is a bit stiff when cold, 3-2 is fine, i think its because 1-2 is a large ratio change = more syncro required. doesn't grind, just takes a bit more effort.
try doing 1-3 or shortshift 1-2 for the first few shifts until the fluid warms up a bit.
it's light years ahead of my old mtx-75 equipped contour svt though, that was a real pos gearbox, and it led a very pampered life http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif.
been toying with swapping the fluid out to redline mtl.
seems to be a vw trait, although my friend's A4 (quattro) has NO effort between shifts http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
-scott
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